Solar optical fiber daylighting system with an IR filter: Experimental and modeling studies

Solar daylighting system based on low cost thermoplastic optical fiber cables is one of essential and practicable option to save energy associated with electric lighting as well as enhance the visual comfort and human health by using natural solar lighting. In this present study a low-cost solar light system consisting of thermoplastic optical fibers, parabolic mirrored surface and sunlight collector with glass filter to block infrared (IR) radiation, was developed to bring natural sunlight into buildings. The effect of the IR filtration mechanism on the temperature of the thermoplastic optical fiber and the output illuminance, has been examined. The experimental results obviously show that the IR filter would protect the thermoplastic optical fiber from the overheat damage without affecting the output illuminance, which could extend the life time of the thermoplastic polymer optical fiber. Furthermore, an intelligent model based on deep learning neural network (DNN) algorithm was used to predict the temperature at the inlet surface of the thermoplastic optical fiber bundles. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.