Fiber Optic Daylighting Systems Integrated With Structural Insulated Panels

83 Fiber Optic Daylighting Systems Integrated With Structural Insulated Panels--Steven Winter Associates, Inc., 50 Washington Street, Norwalk, CT 06854-2710; (203) 857-0200 Mr. Steven Winter, Principal Investigator Ms. Marie Costello-Starnes, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-97ER82483 Amount: $75,000 Skylights and roof windows, being used in passive solar buildings, have traditionally been employed as a means of introducing natural light through roofs into the interior of buildings, oftentimes at the expense of energy efficiency. Although attractive and effective, these methods have resulted in leaky roofs, inefficient energy use, condensation, security and breakage risks, and other construction and lifestyle problems. A novel solution to these problems is to integrate structural insulated panels with fiber optics to pipe the daylight deep inside the building. In Phase I, the project will combine existing fiber optic transmission technologies with structural insulated panel manufacturing techniques. Additionally experiments will be conducted using passive light-concentrating technologies to verify that viable daylighting solutions can be achieved in buildings. Phase II activities will include the production of full-scale panels containing fiber optic networks and testing of the integrated assemblies. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: This integrated technology will enable the transmission of daylight deep into the interiors of residential and commercial buildings and will obviate the need for electricity-powered lighting during daylight hours. If one-quarter of all new homes alone used this technology, the energy savings would equal 500 million kilowatt-hours per year, a significant energy impact.