Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SOLIS (An Innovative Solar Lighting System to replace artificial lighting in all types of indoor spaces withfree and healthy sunlight.)
Período documentado: 2018-06-01 hasta 2019-11-30
The introduction of electricity and artificial light in the 19th century and the restructuring of work times have progressively detached us from the solar 24-hour cycles of light and dark. The consequence has been disruption of the circadian and sleep systems. Much has been written about the effects of this disruption, and in general terms the effects are clear: the circadian rhythm disruption results in performance deficits that include increased errors, poor vigilance, poor memory, reduced mental and physical reaction times and reduced motivation.
On the other hand, daylighting has been touted for its many aesthetic and health benefits by designers and researchers alike. Scientists at the Lighting Research Center (LRC, USA), for example, have reported that daylit environments increase occupant productivity and comfort, and provide the mental and visual stimulation necessary to regulate human circadian rhythms.
Along with healthier and happier workers, substantial financial and human-performance benefits have been associated with increased daylight. In 2003’s “The Benefits of Daylight Through Windows,” LRC researchers discussed evidence that commercial real estate with no windows leases for about 20% less—or $2 to $4 per square foot less—than spaces daylit.
Also, utilizing natural light can lead to substantial energy and CO2 savings. Artificial lighting makes up 14% of electrical consumption in the European Union and 19% worldwide. Space conditioning (lighting and temperature control) is the largest single user of electricity in houses, office blocks, schools and healthcare buildings. For the average office building energy costs can exceed €30,000 per year.
Not surprisingly, solar lighting is a fast growing sector of the general lighting market. The market includes multiple solutions ranging from the traditional skylight to more complex two-axis tracking systems. However, Solight has identified a significant need for cost-effective and plug-and-play systems able to deliver daylight all year long, also in cloudy and hazy conditions.
With SOLIS, Solight is at a mature stage of development and the SME Instrument project is now focusing on the following close to market activities:
1) Finalise engineering and optimization of all system components
2) Demonstrate SOLIS effectiveness and economic benefits through multisite pilot studies in Israel and EU
3) Set-up and operate the industrialised assembly line
4) Disseminate and exploit the results of the pilot studies
These objectives perfectly fit Solight’s overall plan to reach the market since the SOLIS system needs to be qualified according to the novel, upcoming, EU standard for daylighting. The qualification requires data collection for performance verification that only a full scale, international, demonstration can provide.
On the other hand, daylighting has been touted for its many aesthetic and health benefits by designers and researchers alike. Scientists at the Lighting Research Center (LRC, USA), for example, have reported that daylit environments increase occupant productivity and comfort, and provide the mental and visual stimulation necessary to regulate human circadian rhythms.
Along with healthier and happier workers, substantial financial and human-performance benefits have been associated with increased daylight. In 2003’s “The Benefits of Daylight Through Windows,” LRC researchers discussed evidence that commercial real estate with no windows leases for about 20% less—or $2 to $4 per square foot less—than spaces daylit.
Also, utilizing natural light can lead to substantial energy and CO2 savings. Artificial lighting makes up 14% of electrical consumption in the European Union and 19% worldwide. Space conditioning (lighting and temperature control) is the largest single user of electricity in houses, office blocks, schools and healthcare buildings. For the average office building energy costs can exceed €30,000 per year.
Not surprisingly, solar lighting is a fast growing sector of the general lighting market. The market includes multiple solutions ranging from the traditional skylight to more complex two-axis tracking systems. However, Solight has identified a significant need for cost-effective and plug-and-play systems able to deliver daylight all year long, also in cloudy and hazy conditions.
With SOLIS, Solight is at a mature stage of development and the SME Instrument project is now focusing on the following close to market activities:
1) Finalise engineering and optimization of all system components
2) Demonstrate SOLIS effectiveness and economic benefits through multisite pilot studies in Israel and EU
3) Set-up and operate the industrialised assembly line
4) Disseminate and exploit the results of the pilot studies
These objectives perfectly fit Solight’s overall plan to reach the market since the SOLIS system needs to be qualified according to the novel, upcoming, EU standard for daylighting. The qualification requires data collection for performance verification that only a full scale, international, demonstration can provide.
"Solight has developed a portfolio of 3 products based on the SOLIS technology:
- SOLIS Mini DIY
- SOLIS Versatile
- SOLIS Industrial
Following the engineering phase, Solight has manufactured two batches of SOLIS Versatile and SOLIS Industrial for a total of 20 units manufactured. The manufacturability of the systems on an industrial scale was simulated and tested. Solight solved many issues related to production scale-up and manufacturing costs, finally making the SOLIS ready for production ramp-up.
Solight validated the SOLIS technology with in-field pilot studies involving all the 3 designs developed. The largest pilot, 8 SOLIS Industrials installed at the Isrotel Kedma Hotel (Israel), attracted the interest of the first potential customers for which Solight has already planned additional, small scale, ""Feasibility Studies"". These studies will be the base of the Company's future communication and marketing activities."
- SOLIS Mini DIY
- SOLIS Versatile
- SOLIS Industrial
Following the engineering phase, Solight has manufactured two batches of SOLIS Versatile and SOLIS Industrial for a total of 20 units manufactured. The manufacturability of the systems on an industrial scale was simulated and tested. Solight solved many issues related to production scale-up and manufacturing costs, finally making the SOLIS ready for production ramp-up.
Solight validated the SOLIS technology with in-field pilot studies involving all the 3 designs developed. The largest pilot, 8 SOLIS Industrials installed at the Isrotel Kedma Hotel (Israel), attracted the interest of the first potential customers for which Solight has already planned additional, small scale, ""Feasibility Studies"". These studies will be the base of the Company's future communication and marketing activities."
The state of the art includes a number of solutions that can be grouped in for major groups:
1) Traditional skylights, which are light transmitting fenestrations forming a portion of the roof of a building's space for daylighting purposes. A typical skylight usually consists of a structural perimeter frame supporting glazing infill (the light-transmitting portion, which is made primarily of glass or plastic), and can occupy up to the 10% of the roof.
2) Prismatic skylights feature a double-glazed prismatic lens that virtually eliminate hot spots and glare within the building. The standard lens are made of acrylic and transmit 35% more light than conventional skylights but lose brightness.
3) Tubular systems are essentially tubes that capture and transport daylight to poorly lit interiors. Tubular systems can bring daylight into interior spaces where traditional skylights and windows usually can’t reach. Their compact design allows for easy installation and good thermal insulation. However, small size and long tubes mean significantly less light per unit.
4) Two axis tracking systems are complex solutions rotating to track the sun automatically. They are controlled by an internal computer and deploy magnifying lens to focus the sunlight. This focused sunlight is usually directed into a fiber optic cable that channels the natural light indoor.
Compared to skylights and tubular systems, SOLIS delivers direct and indirect solar light more effectively all year long. In fact, the improved parabolic design allows full and constant seasonal reception across the angular design span. Moreover, the redundant nature of the HL OSC makes the system highly effective also in cloudy or hazy conditions, unlike comparable complex and more expensive tracking systems.
Plus, SOLIS shows a significant progress beyond the state of the art in regards to ease of use and cost-effectiveness. Complex 2 axis tracking systems, have elaborated highly accurate electro-mechanical drive and control systems, making them very expensive, delicate, and care intensive. SOLIS provides comparable performances through a fully static system, with no moving parts, electronics or electrical components outside. This makes SOLIS it highly durable and simple to install and maintain.
1) Traditional skylights, which are light transmitting fenestrations forming a portion of the roof of a building's space for daylighting purposes. A typical skylight usually consists of a structural perimeter frame supporting glazing infill (the light-transmitting portion, which is made primarily of glass or plastic), and can occupy up to the 10% of the roof.
2) Prismatic skylights feature a double-glazed prismatic lens that virtually eliminate hot spots and glare within the building. The standard lens are made of acrylic and transmit 35% more light than conventional skylights but lose brightness.
3) Tubular systems are essentially tubes that capture and transport daylight to poorly lit interiors. Tubular systems can bring daylight into interior spaces where traditional skylights and windows usually can’t reach. Their compact design allows for easy installation and good thermal insulation. However, small size and long tubes mean significantly less light per unit.
4) Two axis tracking systems are complex solutions rotating to track the sun automatically. They are controlled by an internal computer and deploy magnifying lens to focus the sunlight. This focused sunlight is usually directed into a fiber optic cable that channels the natural light indoor.
Compared to skylights and tubular systems, SOLIS delivers direct and indirect solar light more effectively all year long. In fact, the improved parabolic design allows full and constant seasonal reception across the angular design span. Moreover, the redundant nature of the HL OSC makes the system highly effective also in cloudy or hazy conditions, unlike comparable complex and more expensive tracking systems.
Plus, SOLIS shows a significant progress beyond the state of the art in regards to ease of use and cost-effectiveness. Complex 2 axis tracking systems, have elaborated highly accurate electro-mechanical drive and control systems, making them very expensive, delicate, and care intensive. SOLIS provides comparable performances through a fully static system, with no moving parts, electronics or electrical components outside. This makes SOLIS it highly durable and simple to install and maintain.