# Performance of Solar Control Films on Building Glazing: A Literature Review
## 4 Existing Studies on the Performance of Solar Control Films
### Thermal and Luminous Performance Assessment of Glazing Systems with Solar Control Films
[46; 50], respectively. The authors concluded that external reflective films have a better thermal performance. Also, considering a hot summer, Mediterranean climate (Csa [58]), [PERSON] et al. [45] assessed the performance of a double-glazed window with and without a reflective SCF installed on the exterior glass surface by monitoring a southwest-oriented hospital room located in Spain. An experimental campaign was conducted throughout a whole year considering real operation and use conditions. The SCF made it possible to reduce indoor illuminance levels by 46.3%. [PERSON] et al. [47; 48] experimentally and numerically assessed the performance of SCFs installed in the glazing systems of office rooms in Hong Kong, under a monsoon-influenced, humid subtropical climate (Cwa [58]). A reduction in solar gains of up to 30% was obtained when considering only the diffuse component of solar radiation, and above 50% when considering the direct component [47]. The film drastically reduced the occurrence of high illuminance levels (>5.5 klx) by 30% on sunny days. Also, considering the monsoon-influenced, humid subtropical climate (Cwa [58]), [PERSON] et al. [49] conducted an experimental study in two test cells with different combinations of glazing systems and SCFs facing southwest. The authors reported that installing SCFs on single glass induces higher indoor glass surface temperatures for clear glass (increase of up to 10 \({}^{\circ}\)C) than for tinted or laminated clear glass, proving the higher ability of solar films in absorbing and reflecting radiation when applied to clear glazing. The only research study that addresses the performance of SCFs in a cold climate (warm summer, humid continental climate (Dfb [58])) was conducted by [PERSON] et al. [57]. The authors assessed the performance of low-E films installed in double-glazing systems of a building, concluding that the films reduced heat loss through the glazing in winter and unwanted heat gains in summer by almost 36% and 35%, respectively. Energy, Economic and Environmental Performance Assessment of Glazing Systems with Solar Control Films  
Even though the energy performance of SCFs is commonly evaluated, there are scarce studies that investigate the economic and environmental performance of building glazing with SCFs. [PERSON] [40] assessed the performance of an SCF installed in a residential building located in a tropical monsoon climate (Bwh [58]). The film reduced the peak cooling demand by 7% and the peak energy consumption of the climate control system by 5%. Even though annual energy consumption was significantly reduced, the high local costs of electricity contributed to extending the payback period (over 40 years). [PERSON] et al. [41] assessed the performance of hotel rooms with and without an SCF installed on the glazing under a humid subtropical with a hot summer climate in China (Cfa [58]). The authors obtained annual energy savings of 155 kWh due to the reduction in cooling energy needs. Considering different scenarios for a cost-benefit analysis, a payback period of between 3.5 and 4.7 years was obtained. In addition, in a humid subtropical climate, [PERSON] et al. [52] simulated the energy performance of the double-glazing of a museum building with and without SCFs. Building cooling energy savings between 44% and 56% were obtained due to the reduction in solar transmittance, having achieved an average reduction in the cooling needs of about 50%. Even with the increased heating needs with SCFs, the energy efficiency of the building improved. A whole building performance evaluation in the presence of SCFs was conducted by [PERSON] et al. [42], [PERSON] [54] and [PERSON] et al. [55] under a temperate oceanic climate (Cfb [58]). [PERSON] et al. [42] assessed the performance of a low-E film against the installation of blinds as solutions to reduce solar heat gains in a 18 th century building located in the temperate oceanic climate (Cfb [58]) of Scotland.