ᐅ Daylighting the ground floor using a heliostat and fixed mirrors

Created on: 8 Aug 2019 13:08
A
alexisan
Hello everyone,

I’m having trouble making progress with this topic. Apparently, there is only one provider in Germany (EnLiCos), and they charge over 10,000 euros. Every house is, of course, unique.
What I have found out so far is that the actuator which moves the mirror to follow the sun’s path originates from satellite technology...

Maybe someone here is familiar with this subject and can offer some advice. I would appreciate it.

Thank you very much, Alex
M
Mottenhausen
9 Aug 2019 14:13
Ah, now I understand: you want to use two mirrors to bring sunlight into the living room through the side window. That won’t work. Everyone knows the situation when the sun reflects off a tilted window of a neighboring house. That is generally perceived as annoying, not pleasant.

As I said: I still think a light shaft with frosted glass panels as diffusers is a great solution. A bright spot of light reflected in a mirror can never replace actual sunlight. But I understand that you are looking for constructive support here rather than negative complaints. So I will step back accordingly and wish you the best of luck with your project. If you go ahead with it, a report on your experience would be very interesting!
A
alexisan
9 Aug 2019 14:44
The height is definitely problematic... 6m (20 feet) above the roof terrace... the local airport might also raise objections...


3D render of a modern residential complex with courtyard, terrace, and garden.
A
alexisan
9 Aug 2019 15:04
Yes, with diffuse light it doesn’t work at all. On sunny days, my wife and I tested it with two mirrors. The effect is noticeable, although of course limited.
At a height of 6 meters (20 feet), to surpass the light-blocking house, the overall efficiency definitely suffers... Phone call on the weekend with EnLiCos.
Looking forward to it.
A
alexisan
9 Aug 2019 15:07
To clarify once again: [MEDIA=YouTube]zYiq2f-HChM[/MEDIA]
S
Steffi33
9 Aug 2019 15:27
Mottenhausen schrieb:

Everyone knows the situation when the sun reflects off a tilted window of a neighboring house. Such reflections are usually perceived as disturbing rather than pleasant.

I can’t quite agree with that. I once had an office on the north side. Occasionally, sunlight from across the street was reflected into my room. I found it beautiful and amazing how the room briefly lit up. I wasn’t sitting directly in the angle of the reflection, so it didn’t bother me at all. I think the idea is generally very appealing. But I wouldn’t spend a lot of money on it. More likely, I’d try to craft something myself… maybe a disco ball whose light spots are reflected into the house via a simple mirror… You have to try to learn! Best regards, Steffi
A
alexisan
9 Aug 2019 15:35
Exactly, that's what I thought as well. For example, a disco ball or a light feature that reflects the incoming light within the room...