SOLARMERSION™
PLYLIGHT’S SOLAR HYBRID LIGHTING SYSTEM:

Our patented Solar Hybrid Lighting System is the first and only system that distributes sunlight and artificial light singly or in combination through one linear light distribution system.  (Don't be fooled by the Sundolier system).  Our system can track the sun at anytime and anywhere and deliver fully collimated and concentrated sunlight into a space.  It uses the sunlight directly – there are no photovoltaic conversion costs or losses.   A combination of materials selected for our reflectors and lenses, and the re-collimation of the concentrated sunlight, allow us to deliver up to 50 suns safely through our 7.5" diameter light distribution tubes (LDTs); or the light can be delivered as a sun shower into a room or underground garden – anyplace where direct sunlight is desired all day long.

THE FOUR BASIC COMPONENTS:

The parabolic sun tracker is used for collecting, concentrating, and re-collimating sunlight.

The collector is comprised of a large concave parabolic reflector (110) and a large convex parabolic reflector (120) that share a common focal point. Collimated sunlight (S) that strikes reflector (110) is reflected towards its focal point. This light is intercepted by reflector (120) which re-collimates this concentrated light and reflects it downward through the center of reflector (110).

The sunlight concentrator is connected to two elbows (70 and 80) each comprising a mirror (71 and 81 respectively) set 45 degrees to the collimated beam of light. These elbows tilt about axis A-A and rotate about axis B-B.

The combined effect of the rotation of the elbows permits the sunlight concentrator to track the sun through any position in the sky while always directing concentrated and collimated sunlight down tube (89).

This box allows for the blending of sunlight and artificial light which then can be distributed through one light distribution system.

The light blender box consists of a 50-50 beam splitter (90). This is positioned at 45 degrees to the incoming sunlight and an artificial light source (95).  Note: the beam of sunlight and the beam of artificial light start by being perpendicular to each other.

The beam splitter (90) allows 50% of the sunlight to pass through it and the other 50% to be reflected. The same is true for the light from the artificial light source (95).

A mirror (92) completes the box turning the 50% of the direct sunlight and the 50% of the reflected artificial light into a second light distribution tube (93).

The light from the blender box is directed or reflected into two light distribution tubes (LDTs) (first tube 91 and second tube 93) for distribution in a space, a SUNSHOWER.

For more detailed information on the SOLARMERSION™ system, click on:

THE SOLARMERSION™ RADIAL SUN TRACKER

And, for a critique of the LOWLINE sunlight collection system in NYC, click on:

THE LOWLINE SUNLIGHT COLLECTION SYSTEM CRITIQUED