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Hybrid Solar Lighting, def'n: A roof-mounted solar concentrating device used to focus sunlight for transmission via fibre optic cables to rooms where natural lighting is desired. The word 'hybrid' comes from the secondary light source that kicks in when light levels from the sun are insufficient - ie. on cloudy days or at night.

Original Home Design w/ HSL Lighting to Basement

* Although an open-plan design furnishes adequate natural lighting to the above ground floors, the basement wants for a natural, central light source. HSL provides the solution.


First Piece of the Puzzle

Well, final exams are behind, job applications are out there, and research moves on too. Posting an ad on Craigslist for a suitable satellite dish at near zero cost, I got a grand total of one immediate response. For the princely sum of a six-pack of Kokanee, I am now the proud owner of a 27" metal dish and mount that was formerly used for satellite internet access. Thanks Scott! Upon further inspection, I wonder if it has an accurate enough parabloidal shape to focus light to a small-enough, concentrated area. In order to test it out, I have to look at inexpensively making it into a reflector, probably with chrome paint. Then I will try it out in the sun and see if I get an acceptable concentration point before looking at higher quality reflecting surfaces (like chrome plating, or form-fitting a plexiglass mirror). Wish me luck on the test, (and on getting some sun!)
Check out the pics of my first 'solar collector' in my workshop.
Cheers,
Tony
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1 comment:

  1. Samantha MerxMay 3, 2010 at 4:43 PM

    I am so excited to see what the results are! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete

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