Skylights/solar tubes

[Steve-R]

Has anyone ever had any success or experience with using sunlight sources for lighting? This would be for an olympic size, non-competition swimming pool. A complete lighting system would still be provided for night use, but the intent would be that sunlight provides the primary lighting during daylight hours.

I'd be glad to hear about any successes or failures.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Has anyone ever had any success or experience with using sunlight sources for lighting? This would be for an olympic size, non-competition swimming pool. A complete lighting system would still be provided for night use, but the intent would be that sunlight provides the primary lighting during daylight hours.

I'd be glad to hear about any successes or failures.

It depends on what area of the country you are in. I bet it doesn't do well in Rochester, NY or Seattle, WA. :grin:

 

[Mr. Bill]

Try to get the architect to orient the pool building so a large, flat wall is facing North and add lots of windows or kalwall on that wall. That's the easiest and cheapest method. I'm not too familiar with a skylight system. Architects seem to hate skylights in snow regions.

I think China's new olimpic pool has some sunlight coming in from the roof. It looks cool to. But I doubt this is in your budget.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/01/the_water_cube.php

 

[mdshunk]

Stop in any modern Wal-Mart. They darn near turn off the lighting in that place in the day time. Lots and lots of skylights.

 

[coulter]

Try to get the architect to orient the pool building so a large, flat wall is facing North ...

North?

carl

 

[SmithBuilt]

North?

carl

Maybe he's building in the southern hemisphere?

 

[dereckbc]

Shlylights are the absolute best use of solar power, and will pay off in a few short years.

I recently built a house and use the Tubes, best investment I ever made. We do not use any artificial light during the daylight hours. Saves a ton of money.

 

[Mr. Bill]

North?
carl

I'm in the Northern hemisphere and I prefer windows on the North side of the building. Expecially if this will be a competition pool. No one wants glare from the sun interfering with the swimmers or spectators. If you're okay with frosted glass then there's no direct glare on the water but then the glass can get very bright and draws attention if large enough.

Early morning, late afternoon, and the winter sun can all have very low angles that can be problematic in a pool with clear glass windows on East, South, or West walls. You would need to think about light shelves and screens and other details to control the sunlight.

A North window is clean and simple. No fuss. And you get more sunlight on a cloudy or overcast day.