How does shading affect temperature and energy efficiency? by Anja Jesenek Grašič https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5 Target group: High school students in mechanical engineering, energy, environmental science or general gymnasium programs, aged 15–19. en-us 2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC 2026-03-28 11:55:05 UTC hello@padlet.com Temperature measurements SLOVENIA anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380020 The table shows temperature measurements in the solar village cubes in Slovenia.

Review the measurements for the date 8. 8. 2024 at 4 pm and select the orientation with the largest differences between the cube without shading and the shaded cube.

]]> 2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380020 Temperature measurements SLOVENIA anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380021 The table shows temperature measurements in the solar village cubes in Slovenia.

Review the measurements for the date 10. 12. 2025 at 3:00 PM and select the orientation with the largest differences between the cube without shading and the shaded cube.

]]> 2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380021 Heat flow comparison anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380022

  • Compare the calculated heat flows through the window and through the remaining walls of the cube. What differences do you notice and how can you explain them?

  • Compare the calculated heat flows through the unshaded and shaded window. How does shading affect the size of the heat flow?

    • ]]>     2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380022     Video anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380023 2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380023 Objective anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380024 This Padlet is part of the learning activities inspired by the Erasmus Solar Village project. Students observe how different types of shading (external, internal or none), the orientation of the building (north, south, east, west) and geographical location affect the internal temperature.

    Using measurements from the www.sovil.si website, students calculate temperature differences, thermal resistance, heat flow and they think about sustainable solutions in building design.

    ]]>     2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380024     anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380025

  • Select the cube in the measurement table according to the type of shading, orientation and time.


  • Observe the data and use the given formulas to calculate the heat flux through the cube.


  • Compare the heat flows for cubes with different types of shading.


  • Share your creative ideas related to energy-efficient construction.

    • ]]>     2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380025     Why it is important? anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380026 Understanding how to reduce energy consumption through smart building design is crucial in today's world. This activity helps students apply physical and environmental principles in real-life situations while developing digital and analytical skills.

    ]]>     2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380026     anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380027 The Solar Village project is an educational, research project that explores how shading, orientation and the climate affect the internal temperature of buildings. Using small isolated blocks with windows, the students measure and compare temperature data in different configurations: no shading, internal shading and external shading.

    These cubes are placed in different directions (north, south, east, and west) and installed in various countries (Slovenia, Portugal, Latvia, Serbia, Turkey, Italy) to observe how different climates affect energy efficiency.

    The goal is to understand how smart shading solutions can reduce the need for cooling and contribute to sustainable and energy-efficient building design. Students analyze real-time data via www.sovil.si and apply concepts from physics, energy and environmental protection in a practical way.

    ]]>     2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380027     Discussion anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380029

    • Why are the differences between the shaded and unshaded cube greater at a certain orientation (e.g. south or west)?


    • How does the incident solar radiation in autumn differ from that in summer, and how does this affect the results?

    • In what cases might less shading be desirable?

      Why does exterior shading often reduce heat gain more effectively than interior shading?

    • What happens to the solar energy that comes through the window and is then "stopped" by the interior shading?

    • Why is it not enough to observe only the internal temperature, but the calculation of the heat flow is important?

    • How would the results change if we had a different wall material or insulation thickness?

    • Can the results from the cubes be directly transferred to the actual houses?

    • What factors does a real house have that an experiment does not capture (e.g. people, devices, ventilation)?

    • How can smart shading reduce the need for heating and cooling throughout the year?

    • What compromise would an architect choose between winter gains and summer protection from overheating?

    ]]>     2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380029     Cube without shading anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380030

  • Country: SLOVENIA

  • Orientation: _____________

  • Shading: NONE

  • Measurement time: 10. 12. 2025 at 3:00 PM

  • Internal temperature (Ti): ______ °C

  • Outside temperature (To) - find it online at https://meteo.arso.gov.si/met/sl/archive: ______ °C

  • ΔT=Ti-To=______ °C = ______ K

  • Calculation of P: ______ W

    • ]]>     2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380030     Cube with internal shading anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380032

  • Country: SLOVENIA

  • Orientation: ___________

  • Shading: INDOOR

  • Measurement time: 10. 12. 2025 at 3:00 PM

  • Internal temperature (Ti): ______ °C

  • Outside temperature (To) - find it online at https://meteo.arso.gov.si/met/sl/archive: ______ °C

  • ΔT=Ti-To= ______ °C = ________ K

  • Calculation of P: ______ W

    • ]]>     2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380032     Cube without shading anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380033

  • Country: SLOVENIA

  • Orientation: _____________

  • Shading: NONE

  • Measurement time: 8. 8. 2024 at 3:00 PM

  • Internal temperature (Ti): ______ °C

  • Outside temperature (To) - find it online at https://meteo.arso.gov.si/met/sl/archive: ______ °C

  • ΔT=Ti-To= ______ °C = ________ K

  • Calculation of P: ______ W

    • ]]>     2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380033     Cube with internal shading anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380034

  • Country: SLOVENIA

  • Orientation: ___________

  • Shading: INDOOR

  • Measurement time: 8. 8. 2024 at 3:00 PM

  • Internal temperature (Ti): ______ °C

  • Outside temperature (To) - find it online at https://meteo.arso.gov.si/met/sl/archive: ______ °C

  • ΔT=Ti-To= ______ °C = ________ K

  • Calculation of P: ______ W

    • ]]>     2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380034     Cube with external shading anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380035

  • Country: SLOVENIA

  • Orientation: ___________

  • Shading: OUTSIDE

  • Measurement time: 10. 12. 2025 at 3:00 PM

  • Internal temperature (Ti): ______ °C

  • Outside temperature (To) - find it online at https://meteo.arso.gov.si/met/sl/archive: ______ °C

  • ΔT=Ti-To= ______ °C = ________ K

  • Calculation of P: ______ W

    • ]]>     2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380035     Cube with external shading anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380036

  • Country: SLOVENIA

  • Orientation: ___________

  • Shading: OUTSIDE

  • Measurement time: 8. 8. 2024 at 3:00 PM

  • Internal temperature (Ti): ______ °C

  • Outside temperature (To) - find it online at https://meteo.arso.gov.si/met/sl/archive: ______ °C

  • ΔT=Ti-To= ______ °C = ________ K

  • Calculation of P: ______ W

    • ]]>     2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380036     Write your reflections on today's activity. anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380037 2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380037 anjajesenek https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380038 2026-03-24 08:28:05 UTC https://padlet.com/anjajesenek/c3h407879wfr9hy5/wish/3837380038