Solar Technologies Program

ORNL’s research is aimed at developing and commercializing new hybrid solar lighting systems that more than double the efficiency and affordability of solar energy in commercial buildings by simultaneously separating and using different portions of the solar energy spectrum for different end-use purposes, i.e. lighting and distributed power generation.

Lighting of Building Interiors

Hybrid Lighting and associated Full-Spectrum Solar Energy Systems represent a unique alternative that views solar from a systems-level perspective, integrates multiple interdependent technologies, and takes advantage of the entire solar energy spectrum. It greatly improves the total end-use efficiency by integrating two technologies into multi-use hybrid systems, that simultaneously light the interior of buildings while efficiently generating electricity. The visible portion of the solar spectrum is separated from the near infrared (IR) spectra at a secondary optical element, or SOE, (located near the focal point of the primary mirror), and the two energy streams are used for different purposes. The IR energy is transmitted through the SOE and converted into electricity via low-cost concentrating, thermophotovoltaic solar cells, which are inherently more efficient in the near IR portion of the spectrum. The visible portion of sunlight is reflected into a series of optical fibers and used directly for lighting in hybrid lighting systems. See illustration above.

Hybrid Solar Photobioreactors