Inspenet, July 8, 2023.
Using sunlight saves electricity. Skylights or solar tubes are one of the ecological alternatives to obtain light and energy. In Spain, companies have been offering this solution for decades.
Solatube is one of the Spanish companies that has been working on this proposal for the longest time, since since 1999 it has innovated and patented new designs that it has brought to the United States. Its solar tubes are now capable of generating solar energy , among other functions.
Replacing artificial light with natural light provides physical benefits, as well as allowing economic and energy savings; However, not all buildings have good access to the sun’s rays, which is why Solatube proposes to collect it directly from the roof.
Having more sunlight at home is possible
Solar tubes allow natural light from outside to be brought into any interior to provide illumination throughout the day, regardless of the orientation of the room or building.
To adapt its solution to each type of space and climatic conditions, the company has patented different skylights, thus pursuing maximum efficiency in the implementation of sunlight.
Inside the dome or dome that peeks out of the roof, the company installs reflectors of different designs (dome optics) to redirect winter light that comes from lower angles and offer optimal performance all year round.
In the same way, it has versions for warmer climates where the midday light can be too intense and is rejected so that the intensity remains constant throughout the day.
When the rays pass through the dome, the light is transmitted through a Spectralight Infinity tube defined by the brand as the most reflective material in the world. The duct can make turns and angles of up to 90 degrees to bring outside light into the house.
No room, no matter how far away from the ceiling, is left without the light potential that this system offers. However, the intensity of the light depends on the time of day, the location of the house and the weather, although its composition allows the skylight to transport 99% of the available natural light.
Solatube offers different options for natural lighting (160 DS and 290 DS, that is, tubes of 25 and 35 cm in diameter respectively). The extension of these solar tubes can be 60 cm, adapting to different spaces to fill them with natural light. These differences in size offer a coverage that varies between 19 square meters illuminated with natural light up to 23 square meters.
Advantages of taking advantage of sunlight
The diffuser lenses evenly disperse sunlight coming through the tube throughout the room, creating diffused natural light. With this system, sunlight can be brought to the basement more than 10 meters through the tube.
Although the company does not indicate an estimate of the amount of electricity that a family can save with this system at home, it estimates an average payback of the investment of 5 years.
Another positive aspect is that it does not need detailed maintenance either, since by design, the skylights are 100% hermetic against water and air, so they do not transfer heat and filter 99% of UV rays.
Light is collected throughout the day, from sunrise to sunset by the position and design of the skylight, however, once the light runs out at night, the solar tube continues to provide lighting inside the house. This is accomplished by an interior-mounted solar cell panel that powers the lighting after dark.
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