Development Analysis of Four Mainstream Fields of New Energy Lighting in 2024 (3)

Light guided lighting

 Compared to solar lighting, photovoltaic lighting, and wind solar complementary lighting, which convert solar or wind energy into electricity and then convert electricity into the light needed for lighting, there is a lighting method that can directly utilize solar energy. This not only completely separates from the commercial power grid, but also eliminates the energy conversion process, achieving the maximum application of energy. This is called photoconductive lighting.

  The light guide lighting system consists of three parts: the daylighting area, the transmission area, and the output area. Its principle is to efficiently collect natural light through the daylighting hood and redistribute it into the system. After being transmitted and strengthened by specially made light guide tubes, the diffuse device at the bottom of the system uniformly and efficiently illuminates natural light to any place that requires light, obtaining a special lighting effect brought by natural light.

  Compared with traditional commercial power grid lighting systems, light guided lighting systems can completely replace daytime electrical lighting, do not require off grid electricity, and can provide at least ten hours of natural lighting. With its zero energy consumption, one-time investment, no maintenance, and energy conservation, optical lighting can create maximum energy-saving and consumption reducing benefits for users.

  As a light guide lighting device, the daylighting well of the Chengdu University Volleyball Stadium, the venue of the 31st Universiade, can save 300-500 kilowatt hours of electricity per day compared to venues of the same size without installed glass curtain walls. This is equivalent to the electricity consumption of an ordinary family of three for two to three months;in addition, the lighting system of some venues in the Hangzhou Asian Games has also reduced electricity consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 80% throughout the year.

  More noteworthy is that from the perspective of light quality, the light source of the light guide lighting system is taken from natural light, which is soft and uniform, full spectrum, non flickering, non glare, and pollution-free. Through the anti UV coating on the surface of the light cover, harmful radiation is filtered out, which can maximize the protection of human physical and mental health.

  Although no electrical energy is required, similar to photovoltaic lighting, the operation of a photoconductive lighting system is also affected by the external light environment. If there is not sufficient natural light (such as moonlight) and other light sources at night, the efficiency of the photoconductive lighting system will be reduced, so additional electric lights or photovoltaic night lights and other electrical auxiliary lighting equipment may be needed to achieve night lighting.

  As a result, this type of new energy lighting product has a relatively small volume in the entire lighting market in China, and most of the companies in the layout are energy-saving technology equipment enterprises, making it difficult to become a strategic layout direction for conventional lighting enterprises.

  Therefore, in addition to direct daytime lighting for illumination, how to use solar energy, photovoltaics, and wind solar complementary systems to achieve off grid electricity supply for illumination in cloudy, rainy, and snowy days and at night may become a major direction for innovative applications of optical lighting in the future, and may also become a connecting point for the layout of general lighting product manufacturing enterprises in the future.

 Epilogue

 Four different types of new energy lighting modes showcase four different ways of lighting energy conversion and application. But their energy use also comes from the light of the sun, which can be said to be in the same lineage. It is precisely because the four types of lighting modes have the same energy source that they can be integrated and applied in different application environments within the same application scenario, or in different application scenarios within the same application environment, complementing each other's strengths and weaknesses, thus forming a complete new energy lighting ecosystem.

  Looking ahead to the future, with the rising call for green energy use nationwide and the intensification of the global energy crisis in multiple regions, more and more new energy lighting models will emerge in the scientific research and innovation of lighting practitioners, contributing green, environmental protection, and healthy light technology momentum to the high-quality development of the lighting and new energy industries.