The NREL's Solar Energy Research Facility is in the cutting edge of developing new solar lighting technology called Hybrid Solar Lighting. Hybrid solar lighting collects sunlight and routs it through optical fibers into areas within a building and then combines sunlight with electric light in Hybrid light fixtures. With no energy conversion and direct transmission of sunlight to these light fixtures, Hybrid Solar Lighting promises to be more efficient compared to conventional lighting devices.


This development comes as a result of using direct lens collectors, reflective light-pipes, and fiber-optics for solar energy use. Expect more of hybrid solar lighting for mass commercial use soon.