Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: thedoc on 30/04/2014 02:30:01

Title: How can we use the sun to light our homes?
Post by: thedoc on 30/04/2014 02:30:01

As we build at higher densities, architects are having to think more creatively about how to make the maximum use of natural daylight.
Read a transcript of the interview by clicking here (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/interviews/interview/1000695/)
or [chapter podcast=1000679 track=14.04.29/Naked_Scientists_Show_14.04.29_1002241.mp3](https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenakedscientists.com%2FHTML%2Ftypo3conf%2Fext%2Fnaksci_podcast%2Fgnome-settings-sound.gif&hash=f2b0d108dc173aeaa367f8db2e2171bd) Listen to it now[/chapter] or [download as MP3] (http://nakeddiscovery.com/downloads/split_individual/14.04.29/Naked_Scientists_Show_14.04.29_1002241.mp3)

Title: Re: How can we use the sun to light our homes?
Post by: FunkyWorm on 30/04/2014 13:13:06

I worked in a building in the early 90s that had solar-collectors on the roof which fed down via fibre-optic cable to emitters in the ceilings of offices that didn't have exterior windows. It meant you had sunlight in every room.
I once got up on a chair to investigate the 1m sq. "lighting" unit in the ceiling and the best I could see behind the polycarbonate cover was a large Fresnel lens that has the fibre cables terminated behind it. They didn't produce as much light as two mid-length fluorescent tubes but for the most part you didn't need to turn on the lights and it gave a very pleasant feel; the spectrum of the sun being what people like the best. You also got a better feel for the passage of the day and what the weather was like. I'm surprised I haven't seen it in more buildings.

Title: Re: How can we use the sun to light our homes?
Post by: Ryan Mercer on 05/05/2014 14:23:08

I like what they do in developing/'3rd world' nations.... pop bottles and water.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-SOLAR-BOTTLE-BULB/  is an instructable on making them

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vagabondjourney.com%2Ftravelogue%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsoda-bottle-lights-600x450.jpg&hash=0a880dd20d99045e1385379442c0456a)

Title: Re: How can we use the sun to light our homes?
Post by: CliffordK on 05/05/2014 16:06:37

Nice soda bottles. 

I've been meaning to install some light tubes and skylights in my house.  Windows are nice.  Of course, there is always a tradeoff between windows and insulation.