A new generation of solar lighting that combines both electric and solar power is currently being developed and tested by Oak Ridge National Laboratory in collaboration with the Department of Energy and several industry partners.

“Our goal is to look at solar energy from a holistic perspective and make it more efficient and useful to the public,” said Jeff Muhs, Technical Director of the Hybrid Lighting Partnership at ORNL.

Traditional solar power is manufactured by converting sunlight into electricity. Mr. Muhs told the Chattanooga Engineers Club on Monday that hybrid solar lighting is powered by collecting sunlight and routing it through optical fibers into buildings where it is combined with electric light in “hybrid” light fixtures. Sensors keep the room at a steady lighting level by adjusting the electric lights based on the sunlight available.

“Because hybrid solar lighting pipes sunlight directly to the light fixture and no energy conversions are necessary, the process is much more efficient,” he said.

Mr. Muhs said several tests have shown that natural daylight is widely preferred by schools and businesses for improving test scores and raising sales, but traditional approaches, like skylights, have proved cost prohibitive. Mr. Muhs said buildings lit by sunlight present challenges in design and construction, along with difficulties in evenly lighting rooms and maintaining the skylights.

Hybrid solar lighting eliminates many of these problems by requiring fewer and smaller roof penetrations and utilizing the dual system of electricity and solar power.

With the new technology still in its development stages, some businesses are looking for similar alternatives. Mr. Muhs reported that Walmart is in the process of installing a new lighting system in all its stores that will imitate natural daylight.

Mr. Muhs said his department will soon begin testing the hybrid solar lighting system at two locations in Alabama and Mississippi, but added that widespread commercial installation is still several years away.

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be hosting the first Hybrid Solar Lighting Summit October 7-8, 2003, in Knoxville. The Summit will focus on policy, technology and market forces that influence the development and commercialization of hybrid solar lighting. Congressman Zach Wamp and Bill Baxter of TVA are scheduled to speak. For more information on the Summit, visit www.ornl.gov/hybridlighting or call 865-946-1281.