Photo Friday: Daylight harvesting
In this photo, University of California – Davis graduate student Judy Xu is shown adjusting a lab prototype of a daylight harvesting device developed and tested at the university’s California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC). The self-calibrating photocontrol reduces electric lighting power based on the amount of daylight available through skylights.
By Melissa C. Lott
This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
In this photo, University of California - Davis graduate student Judy Xu is shown adjusting a lab prototype of a daylight harvesting device developed and tested at the university’s California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC). The self-calibrating photocontrol reduces electric lighting power based on the amount of daylight available through skylights. Subsequent field testing took place in a Walmart store in West Sacramento, California, where average energy savings measured about 37%. The device has since entered the market through WattStopper, a leading lighting controls manufacturer, and Walmart is preparing to install the technology in more of its stores.
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Kathreen Fontecha / California Lighting Teaching Center, UC Davis.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
