New idea??? The Solar Indoor Growroom

[bazooka]

What if you made a solar collector array and put it on your roof or backyard somewhere. The collector would focus the sunlight into a fiber optic cable that you would route into your indoor grow room. Add some kind of reflector/defuser to the end of the cable to spread the light out. Then have a light sensitive switch that would allow you to augment the natural light w/ artificial light to make sure that you have enough light for the right amount of time. I guess you would have to have some way to turn off the sunlight for dark periods.

The end result would be on a nice bright sunny day your plants would use passive sunlight all day and forgo running the expensive hid lights.

Think it would work?

 

[SensimillaWolf]

Do you mean powering your indoor HIDs with solar energy, or redirecting sunlight into an indoor room, like a green house with a closed top?

I'm not sure if the latter would work but the first would be very expensive and very effective. I think solar cells would be a great investment, you would be able to completely hide electricity from the utility company.

But just redirecting the light, im not sure how effective you could make it.

 

[bazooka]

I am talking about the latter. Piping sunlight into your growroom via large fiber optic cables. It would be like a green house except it wouldn't be as exposed and you could grow year round.

 

[IGrowWithLEDs]

there already is a product like that out. It says that it can light up either 5,000 or 50,000 (not sure which it is) commercial sq feet. I thought about it for growing and it would be great. I'll have to research it down to find that company again.

 

[Mr Celsius]

Not a new idea, however not an idea that I've actually seen implemented.

Fiber optics would not be the way to go. Also how are you going to control the photoperiod, if there's a rainy day, the multiple big balls sticking out of your roof, if you don't own your own home and probably the host of other hurtles that must be leaped?

Not trying to be a downer, just bringing the realistic challenges that must be meet to be successful.

 

[cooked cook]

I think the closest thing to what you're talking about is light tubes. (google em)
It's not a fiber optic thing, but an opening in the roof(smaller than a skylight) with a round clear dome over it. It has a highly reflective tube that runs through the house and into the desired room. Light tubes reflect a high percentage of the natural light down into the room, without being able to see in like a skylight. I've often wondered how these could be used to augment HID lighting in a grow room. I'd sure like to hear from someone who is using light tubes for growing. anybody....anybody?
cc

 

[Buzzsmirk!]

i have seen the 'fiber optic" product as descibed above by an earlier poster.
I too cannot recall the vendor.
i would imagine the concept IS a sound idea as far as functionallity goes (if u have ENOUGH FIBERS)
I would be wary of the price tag for such a setup
BUZZ!

 

[agent 420]

With the right materials, it could work.
But as mentioned above, the right setup is required.
It might prove a little too difficult in an apartment.
If you've got the means to do so, give it a shot and let us know how it worked.

 

[stonedeconomist]

for anyone how is interested here some link to sites about fiber optic solar lighting systems.

http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/246/

http://www.sunlight-direct.com/products.html

 

[215Z]

I would use a fresnel cone. Perhaps a 6'x6' square shaped concentrating the light into a 2'x2' space. Then SOG as if you had 1kW HID without the electric bills, and enjoy the full spectrum quality.

 

[Siddartha]

lol, do you know how expensive it is to cut and run fiber?
If you're looking for some clean alternative, try a propane generator. It's clean, it's cheap, it's off the grid. I just think you'd need a ton of fiber, which would make it cost prohibitive for anyone that doesn't know how to cut/splice fiber.

 

[Ganja Guerilla]

lol, do you know how expensive it is to cut and run fiber?
If you're looking for some clean alternative, try a propane generator. It's clean, it's cheap, it's off the grid. I just think you'd need a ton of fiber, which would make it cost prohibitive for anyone that doesn't know how to cut/splice fiber.

Just thinking about the cost of a simple optical cable for a home theater system and then scaling that up to something that could transmit enough sunlight for a grow room makes me shudder.

Very cool idea and absolutely 'out of the box' but the costs would be astronomical I would think.

Peace
GG

 

[floppyfundanglr]

i posted an artical about this a long time ago and got a negative response. People thinking i put it up for purpose of feeding my ego...farfetched. But i do believe this could come in handy with proper technology. I dont know why it wouldnt make sense to try and use the suns energy indoors. Think if it eventually gets too hot outdoors for people to grow certain plants or whatever we could still take the suns light. To stoned to think any further.

peace

 

[osirica420]

I have made directions and a parts list and know locations where to get parts
for this setup months ago just to lazy to complete it....
I will do so very soon and post pictures of setup


36"-48" Parabolic mirror
1 High temp cold mirror(this mirror will only reflect certain light wavelengths)
1 glass rod end piece that is connected to your fiber cable
and many light diffusers for output on the other end..
and a few other small things to put this together

I have been told this will output 3-4k worth of watts of light when in direct sunlight..
Will post my setup soon, this post inspiried me to complete my project will have all the parts by friday this week. Ordering monday morning...

 

[DrBudGreengenes]

lol, do you know how expensive it is to cut and run fiber?
If you're looking for some clean alternative, try a propane generator. It's clean, it's cheap, it's off the grid. I just think you'd need a ton of fiber, which would make it cost prohibitive for anyone that doesn't know how to cut/splice fiber.

Thats alot of polishing...each end of each fiber

 

[osirica420]

That is a exaggeration for what we are doing...
We are not putting in lines to run cable tv or internet!!!!!

It could be done with a heated exacto knife and the finest sandpaper you can
get, i have already done the research this is just light reflection with a system
of canceling out the high heat, its quite simply.

 

[treble]

interesting idea, I heard of people trying and suceeding to pipe sun light via optic fibre into underground areas or into the centre of buildings...

have a look for sunball or sunbox... cube?? suncube maybe.. sorry not exactly sure what its called. but it might be the thing you are looking for

treb

 

[yamaha_1fan]

I have made directions and a parts list and know locations where to get parts
for this setup months ago just to lazy to complete it....
I will do so very soon and post pictures of setup


36"-48" Parabolic mirror
1 High temp cold mirror(this mirror will only reflect certain light wavelengths)
1 glass rod end piece that is connected to your fiber cable
and many light diffusers for output on the other end..
and a few other small things to put this together

I have been told this will output 3-4k worth of watts of light when in direct sunlight..
Will post my setup soon, this post inspiried me to complete my project will have all the parts by friday this week. Ordering monday morning...

This 3-4k worth of lighting you may receive, what did it cost you in materials that you just ordered?

 

[215Z]

I agree with Orsirca, the skill needed in splicing or terminating digital network cables are not needed for the bulk transmission of light. Afterall, you don't expect your power cables be shielded as well as your Cat 6e twisted pair copper interconnects....

 

[Guest]

Sun Tubes help Illuminate however most of the ones I have installed (kitchens and baths) have UV protection. For instance the 5 23W CFL's in my family room ILLUMINATE. Get the concept? No intensity with SunTubes.