A customised method for estimating light transmission efficiency of the horizontal light pipe via a temporal parameter with an example application using laser-cut panels as a collector

Abstract

The purpose of the study presented in this paper was to develop a customized method for estimating the transmission efficiency of a horizontal light pipe (HLP). The proposal is based on the established method and customized to encompass real incident daylight that horizontal light pipes could collect. Natural incident light is introduced using both direct and diffuse light sources through the temporal parameter of their altitude and azimuth. The temporal parameter is presented as a matrix model consisting of solar altitude and azimuth used in measurement and analysis. Because each location on Earth is characterized by a unique solar altitude and azimuth during the year, the proposed method establishes the measuring template, based on a specific location on Earth and applicable for the HLP. The methodology is supplemented with a theoretical model of an indoor space equipped with an HLP that can be used to analyse data and validate necessary threshold illuminance under real physical conditions. An example of an application of the customized method is demonstrated using a case of light collectors for the HLP light-deflecting panels, the laser-cut panel (LCP).•A method for predicting the transmission efficiency of the HLP for any location and any orientation on a building's façade.•Estimation of transmission efficiency for the HLP implementing a temporal parameter through solar altitude and azimuth.•Resulting data for transmission efficiency for the HLP using a template that is easily applicable for decision-making during a specific period of the year, season or the entire year.