Fiber Optic Daylighting with Concentrating Solar Collectors: A State-of-the-Art Review

Taher Maatallah, Faisal Wahab, Mussad Alzahrani, Arshad Jamal and Sajid Ali ()
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Taher Maatallah: Mechanical and Energy Engineering Department, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
Faisal Wahab: Mechanical and Energy Engineering Department, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
Mussad Alzahrani: Mechanical and Energy Engineering Department, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
Arshad Jamal: Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
Sajid Ali: Mechanical and Energy Engineering Department, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-27

Abstract: Nowadays, the development of innovative and feasible sustainable solutions able to reduce lighting costs and enhance the building’s energy efficiency is a hot topic and one of the most challenging research avenues. In this context, fiber optic daylight (FOD) systems are a growing technology, where fiber optics can be used as a waveguide to transmit sunlight into the interior of windowless spaces. This review aims to track, analyze, and discuss the application of integrated FOD systems with concentrating solar collectors and provide a clear understanding of FOD system requirements and overall performance. In view of this, a comprehensive analysis of the most recent FOD systems, along with their different applications, has been provided to ensure a complete overview of the current state of FOD systems in terms of actual technological strengths, limitations, cost-effectiveness, and future application performance. Therefore, this paper comprehensively analyzes the structure and performance of FOD systems. It highlights the recent development and nanotechnology applications of FOD systems. Additionally, this article discusses the challenges of building-integrated FOD systems and the benefits of using FOD instead of conventional grid-integrated lighting devices and systems.

Keywords: fiber optics; daylighting systems; solar concentrators; fiber optics performance; cost effectiveness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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