Daylight enhancement using laser cut panels integrated with a profiled Fresnel collector

Performance of conventional vertical light pipes with acrylic domes is highly dependent on the solar altitude since for lower solar elevation the acceptance angle is limited due to the small inlet aperture. A profiled Fresnel collector with a multi-lens system is useful in enhancing light in a light pipe at low solar altitudes but suffers losses due to multiple reflections during transmission. In this paper we show that further enhancement of light during the morning and evening hours is possible by using a profiled Fresnel collector integrated with graded laser cut panels, i.e. laser cut panels with bands of varying depth to width ratio that can redirect low altitude sun rays axially down the light pipe. The effect of various depths to width ratios of the laser cut panel with respect to variation in incident light on the performance of a light pipe is also presented in this paper. The graded laser cut panel performed better than other laser cut panels. Optimum tilts of the laser cut panel at which maximum light is deflected for various incident angles of the source were identified. Maximum light output for the graded laser cut panel was for lower incidence of solar altitude angle. The graded/profiled laser cut panel was integrated with Fresnel north and south facing collectors and the performance was assessed in daylight. Good redirection of light was observed for the Fresnel collector in the morning and evening hours when compared to a light pipe with an acrylic dome or a Fresnel collector without a laser cut panel. The light is redirected more parallel to the axis of the pipe thus minimizing the reflections on the internal lining and thereby increasing the performance of the light pipe.