Strategies for Daylight Harvesting in Your Workplace

Daylight is one of the most abundant resources your building can use every day. When workplaces intentionally balance natural light with electric lighting, they can cut electricity demand, reduce carbon emissions, and create brighter, more pleasant environments for employees.

This approach, known as daylight harvesting, pairs good design with responsive controls so lights automatically dim or switch off when sunlight provides sufficient illumination. Here are some strategies for implementing daylight harvesting in your business workplace.

1. Start With a Simple Daylight Map

Before investing in controls, observe how daylight moves through your space. Identify high-daylight zones near windows, skylights, and lower-daylight zones deeper in the interior. This quick assessment helps you avoid a common mistake: treating the whole floorplate the same. Zoning is the foundation of effective daylight harvesting.

2. Zone Lighting by Perimeter And Core

Create separate control zones for perimeter areas (where daylight varies hour to hour) and core areas (where daylight is minimal). This ensures only the areas benefiting from sunlight dim down. When perimeter fixtures are grouped correctly, occupants experience consistent light levels without the “roller coaster” effect of over-dimming.

3. Choose The Right Sensors and Setpoints

Photosensors are the brains of the system, but placement matters. Sensors should “see” the same light your team experiences at desk height—not glare from a window or reflections from a glossy surface. Calibrate setpoints to match the task: conference rooms, open offices, and corridors all need different target levels. Thoughtful calibration makes smart lighting for energy efficiency possible for any office space.

4. Pair Daylight with Occupancy Controls

Daylight harvesting works best when it’s part of a broader controls strategy. Add occupancy or vacancy sensors so lights respond to both available daylight and real usage patterns. This combination prevents energy waste during lunch breaks, meetings elsewhere, or off-hours—even on cloudy days.

5. Use Leds and Dimming Drivers for Smoother Results

If you’re upgrading fixtures, prioritize dimmable drivers and high-quality LEDs that maintain comfortable color and avoid flicker at lower output. Daylight harvesting with LED systems can deliver especially strong savings because LEDs dim efficiently and respond quickly to changing conditions.

6. Commit To Commissioning and Ongoing Tuning

Commissioning verifies that sensors, zones, and dimming curves perform as intended, and seasonal daylight changes can require small adjustments. A short follow-up check a few weeks after installation can dramatically improve comfort and long-term performance.

Daylight harvesting is a practical sustainability win for offices. It reduces energy use while supporting a healthier, more appealing workplace. With good zoning, well-placed sensors, and proper commissioning, your building can make the most of the light that’s already there.