Hybrid Solar Lighting

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Hybrid Solar Lighting

Introduction

Hybrid Solar Lighting (HSL) is a type of lighting system that combines natural solar lighting with standard electrical lighting. This system directs pure sunlight into the interior of a building. Benefits of HSL include money savings, increased office productivity, and agricultural development. Sunlight Direct, manufacturer of HSL systems, is conducting beta tests in 12 locations in the United States. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District was one of the first to facilitate HSL testing.

The Hybrid Solar Lighting system is made up of three main parts. These parts are the solar collector, optical fibers, and hybrid luminaires.

Solar Collector

The solar collector resembles a satellite dish; but instead of receiving a TV signal, it collects light from the sun. The collector is installed on building rooftops as seen in figure 2. Three main parts make up the solar collector:

 Primary mirror: the large reflective dish (about 4 feet in diameter). Made of plastic and built to withstand harsh weather conditions.

 Secondary mirror: the small reflective dome protruding out from the center of the dish. Another mirror used to reflect and concentrate light.

 Fiber optic receiver unit: the small tube at the center of the dish. Connects to the optical fibers and transmits light through them.

Solar Collector Function

Sunlight reflects off the primary mirror and focuses into the secondary mirror. From there, the beam of light bounces into the fiber optic receiver unit. A tracking system inside the collector calculates the sun’s position using a global positioning system and the local time. Throughout the day, the solar collector repositions its dish to follow t...

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...s can be saved because of reduced air conditioning load, saving the owner a total of 8,000 kilowatt-hours every year.

Studies show customers are more likely to make purchases in stores that offer natural lighting instead of electrical lighting; customers considered the electrically lit stores to be dull-looking. Natural sunlight gives the impression of a brighter room. Other studies found a strong correlation between natural lighting and increased academic performance, as well as office productivity.

Skylights offer natural lighting at an affordable price, but they have several disadvantages to Hybrid Solar Lighting. Skylights do not filter out heat from sunlight nor are they able to distribute light over large areas. Because HSL systems use optical fiber, multiple building floors can receive natural sunlight. Skylights are limited to top floors only.

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