cool

[Moose101]

http://inhabitat.com/blog/2005/04/26/sunlight-transport-system/

I bet this costs a pretty penny. It easy to make yourself? Even if you can, you'd still need solar panels. That's going to burn a nast hole in your pocket.

[Moose101]

Another thought just occured to me. Seeing how it's reflected from a solar panel is it going to reflect the heat as well?

[jamstigator]

No, not directly anyway, as fiber optic cables don't transmit heat. But when the light comes out at the other end and hits other objects, some of that light will be turned into heat, just like winter sunlight will heat your floor when it shines through the windows.

Looks neat...for rich people. ;)

[stinkyattic]

Those aren't the same as 'real' solar panels, that have silicon crystals with 'p-doped' and 'n-doped' layers to get electrons flowing...
A simple version of that thing you posted is the light tube that you can put through your roof and use as a spotlight in the house.
But the tube has no fiber optics (and is therefore wicked cheap in comparison).

[Moose101]

Where would I get one of these tubes?

[stinkyattic]

http://www.skylightguys.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=2

My friend had one installed in her kitchen. Very nice. It's at the very least an energy-efficient alternative to electric lights in an otherwise dark room.

[dusto2k3]

solatube. My folks have some in their house, they are awesome. Still, you cannot control the light cycle, soooo, only good for certain times of the year.

http://www.solatube.com/residential.php

[Acouwaila]

omg thats so cool!