Did you know that tube reflectivity plays a critical role in achieving the best performance?
When light travels down a reflective tube, the amount of light delivered at the end of the tube is very much governed by the reflective properties of the tube.
Some light will be absorbed every time it hits the sides of the tube – just how much is absorbed depends on the reflective properties of the tube.
Solatube® Daylighting Systems use 99.7% reflective Spectralight® Infinity tube material. It is the most reflective tube material available and is exclusive to Solatube. The next best comes in at 98% reflective – not a great difference you may think, but see the chart below!
You can see that even small differences in reflective value will make a significant difference to the amount of light that is finally delivered through the tube. For example, the difference between 99.7% and 98% reflectivity values doesn't sound that great, but when you check the percentage of light remaining after just 20 bounces, you can see that Spectralight Infinity delivers almost 30% more light than a 98% reflective material.
Every Solatube reflective surface uses 99.7% reflective Spectralight Infinity tube material to ensure the best possible light transfer with minimum light loss.
The benefits of specifying Solatube can be greater, however, than simply gaining more light per system; for large projects requiring multiple systems, fewer or smaller diameter Solatube Daylighting Systems may be specified to achieve the same light levels that other manufacturer's products could achieve with more or larger diameter systems, giving you significant savings on installation and product costs.
Flexible tube?
The chart above compares only rigid tube materials - we have not included flexible tube data in the chart because flexible tube by its very nature is not a reliable means of transferring light. A recent study by the BRE (Building Research Establishment) showed that Solatube Daylighting Systems could produce more than 10 times the amount of light than a comparably sized flexible duct system. See the BRE report.
The superior performance of Solatube Daylighting Systems is why over 2 million have been installed around the world. In the UK, major organisations such as BP, the Environment Agency, NHS Trusts, Marks & Spencer, local authorities and housing associations have all specified Solatube Daylighting Systems.
If you would like further information about any projects or developments featured in our newsletters please contact us
November 2009Solatube® Daylighting System selected
for Bath University eco house project
October 2009Solatube Daylighting Systems meet the green roof challenge!
Solatube Daylighting Systems flood the Environment Agency – with daylight!
August 2009Are tubular daylighting devices an answer to government’s UK Carbon Transition Plan?
July 2009Hyde Group's 'Retrofit and Replicate' eco project selects Solatube Daylighting Systems
June 2009Otter Brewery brings daylight into the heart of its state-of the-art brewing facility
Solatube Daylighting Systems can save you up to 70% of a building's energy consumption
March 2009BRE tests prove flexible light pipes are no match for Solatube rigid tube systems
Solatube Daylighting Systems gain BBA Certification
BRE Test compares Solatube 330 DS with Monodraught SunPipe
December 2008
Did you know that tube reflectivity plays a critical role in achieving the best performance?
Solatube Daylighting Systems bring a range of benefits to BP and Marks & Spencer Simply Food
Solatube Daylighting Systems deliver
gold medal performance at the Beijing Olympics
