A new type of daylight passive collector: The shaped refractor

Abstract

In order to satisfy the requirements of energy-saving and lighting comfort in places which have no direct access to daylight through windows, it is possible to set up an optical rod daylighting system. However, there is no information as to how efficient such a system might be for the passive collection of daylight. This paper explores the possibility of increasing the passive collection of daylight through modifications to the shape of the acrylic rod at the collection area. As a result, an equation for the calculation of a shape that optimises the passive collection of daylight through refraction into the optical rod is developed. The shape depends on the latitude where the system is installed.