Liquid-crystal filled, holographic solar concentrator

Technical Report · Mon Jun 26 04:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:5336068

The concept to be examined for feasibility involves the use of holographic diffractive structures (HDSs) to collect and redirect sunlight from the whole range of solar angles as they vary with the hour of the day and the seasons of year. These HDS collectors can be used on any building surface to project sunlight into interior spaces which have no direct access to natural light. Spaces such as plenums which exist for the accommodation of HVAC equipment or air shafts could serve as hollow light guides through which the sunlight is projected. The sunlight will be reflected by baffles at the receiving end to serve as a useful source of illumination which can replace electric light whenever the sun is shining. Substituting sunlight for electric light will save energy for both lighting and cooling, particularly during summer peak-loading conditions, while at the same time improving the quality of illumination within the space. It is anticipated that the HDSs will provide a relatively inexpensive alternative to mechanical sun-tracking devices. 6 refs., 3 figs.

• Research Organization: Advanced Environmental Research Group, Inc., Woolwich, ME (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG06-89RL11746
• OSTI ID: 5336068
• Report Number(s): DOE/RL/11746-T1; ON: DE91017956
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140000 -- Solar Energy
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320107* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Systems-- (1987-)
COHERENT SCATTERING
DAYLIGHTING
DIFFRACTION
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
HOLOGRAPHY
LIGHTING SYSTEMS
OPENINGS
PEAK LOAD
RADIATIONS
SCATTERING
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR RADIATION
STELLAR RADIATION
WINDOWS