ABSTRACT
Solar radiance and heat from the sun play an important role in buildings and in the landscapes that surround them. A variety of materials are used in buildings and landscapes. Both natural materials, such as trees and turf, and human-made materials, such as lumber, glass, and steel, are affected by solar radiation that contributes to the amount of heat that enters and remains on a site. Heat gain occurs when heat enters a building, usually by sunlight shining through a window, but also by being transmitted through materials such as roofs and walls. Hardscaped areas of the landscape are also subject to heat from the sun, and subsequently can heat up to
tion and their exposure to the sun. Shade provided by trees or structures can modify the amount of heat buildup on a driveway or other large paved area by reducing the amount of sunlight striking the surface or the amount of time that it does so.
