Daylighting, through top lighting, has been problematic in consideration of lighting design due to the unavailability of measured Lumen output data and inherent problems of Skylights, including Solar Heat Gain/Loss.
Recently, the development of Tubular Daylighting Devices (TDDs) has made top lighting a viable component of the lighting design of a building. For designers and energy managers seeking environmentally sustainable illumination alternatives for commercial buildings, this new advanced daylighting technology offers a good solution.
Solatube Australia , specialists in energy efficient natural lighting solutions, are launching their Energy Star rated 750 DS Daylighting System at this year’s Form & Function/DesignEx 2009 exhibition.
The 750 DS Solatube Daylighting system has been physically tested and certified for its Solar heat Gain and U-Values, the tests provide reliable quantifiable results that can be used by Mechanical Engineers. Solatube Daylighting Systems offer maximum light performance with minimal solar heat gain.
Solatube Australia have quantifiable lumen output data based on isometrics of various cities combined with the Photometrics of each device, providing lumen output tables. This allows engineers to predict, with some accuracy, the lowest/highest average light levels.
Advanced optics in the dome are used for the 750 DS Solatube Daylighting system that allow for a consistent lighting level, maximising low level light (Morning, afternoon, winter) and optimising high level light to reduce glare and heat.
The various options for TDDs include dimming functionality that controls the output of the device (or groups of devices) and also provide 0 to 0V inputs, which allows for automation compatibility. Both artificial lights and TDD can be dimmed to meet the lux level requirements of the space.
The available range of sizes and configurations allow for TDDs to be considered in most building types including residential, education, retail, health, office and industrial.
Daylighting multiple floors is made possible with long tube runs and 0° to 90° bends, and the highly reflective tubing not only reduces losses but also allows greater flexibility to reach areas within buildings.
Diffuser options called ‘designer choices’ can incorporate effects lenses, which allow for softening or warming effect results (dropping colour temperature by up to 1000k). The tubing of TDDs also delivers a colour rendering factor of 100 delivering pure daylight. Specifiers should stipulate the above attributes in any specification to ensure that Solatube Daylighting Systems are utilised and desired lighting outcomes are delivered.
The opportunity to save energy, extend the replacement time of lamps and to provide beneficial human effects of daylight make Solatube Tubular Daylighting devices a necessary consideration in good lighting design.
Solatube Australia are a member of the Green Building Council of Australia and the Lighting Council of Australia and HIA Greensmart Regional Partner.