Technical Information

Sunlight in a cable
 System Overview
Imagine an indoor environment where
the variation of the outdoors light is al-
ways present - a house that has sunlight
in every single room. With this Technical
Information Sheet, Parans presents the
first sunlight-transporting product of its
kind.

The Principle
To the left, the simple principle of Parans’ system
is shown. First, sunlight is collected by panels out-
doors. The sunlight is then transported through
fiber optic cables. Indoors, the sunlight flows out
through carefully designed luminaires.

The Products
Parans’ system consists of the light-collecting panel
SkyPort, the light-transporting cable SunWire and
the light-emitting luminaries Björk. In the following
pages, each product is presented in detail.

The Advantages
The importance of natural light in buildings is
known by all of us who have experienced dark
and dull rooms. It is also crucial within architecture.
Most buildings have rooms that are unpleasant
due to lack of natural light. Parans offers a product
that can bring in the healthy natural light in a flex-
ible cable. Conventional ways to bring natural light
into buildings such as light shafts and atriums have
the large drawback of occupying a fair amount of
the building’s valuable space. This is totally avoided
when using Parans’ system, resulting in the great
economical advantage of using buildings more ef-
fectively. Further, Parans’ system is installed with a
minimum of interference with the building, preserv-
ing the building’s charisma.This also enables fast and
easy installation.

The Example
The photos below show Parans’ installation in the
fashion store Victoria Arena in Gothenburg. 2 Sky-
Ports are connected to 2 large Björk luminares
with 11 meters SunWire.

2
 SkyPort
The light-collecting panel SkyPort is
Parans’ key invention. It encloses the
opto-mechanic technology behind
Parans’ unique system in a weather re-
sistant shell.

Technical Principle
One movable- and one fixed layer of lenses collect
sunlight according to optical principles. The mov-
able layer is moved by stepping motors to track the
sun’s movement during the day. A microcomputer
connected to a solar sensor guide the tracking.
After passing the lenses, the sunlight flows into 576
PMMA optical fibers.

Technical Data
The luminosity of Parans’ system depends on two
factors:
SkyPort • Luminance from the sun
• Length of the fiber optic cable SunWire
95 mm
600 mm The SkyPort has an active sun collecting area re-
sponding to a 60 degrees cone. The performance
Jag tänker mig att man laserskär i 3 mm plåt och sedan bockar den 90° så man får ett vinkel.
reaches a maximum when the SkyPort faces the
sun. The graph shows how the performance in per-
centage of maximum as the angle towards the sun
changes.

600 mm 600 mm

Efficiency over solar angles Specifications

Dimension 600 x 600 x 95 mm
100
Weight 14,6 kg
90
Number of Lenses 576
80
Light Receiving Area 2258 cm2
70
Fiber Cable Quantity 16
60
Power Supply AC 220-250 V
50
Power Consumption 0,9 W
40
Corrosion Proof Yes
Efficiency (%)

30
20
10
0
–40 –30 –20 –10 0 –10 –20 30 -40
Angle incoming sunlight

3
 SkyPort
Installation directions
SkyPort is mounted without any objects interfering
with incoming sunlight. For optimal exposure to di-
rect sunlight, SkyPort should generally be mounted
pointing south when north of the equator and vice
versa. Other orientations may be advisable de-
pending on the skyline or other shading objects.
The SkyPort can also be orientated in other direc-
tions in order to focus on the morning sun or the
evening sun.

The SkyPort can be mounted with standard building

elements on most roofs and facades. For extreme
mounting conditions, consult Parans for guidance.

Normally, the SkyPort is mounted on roofs, just as

traditional solar collectors for heating. It can how-
ever also be mounted on sunny facades or straight
on the ground. An interesting application is to install
the SkyPort in level with a roof or facade and take
advantage of its semi permeability, using it as glare
shields. The strong direct sunlight is transported to
a desired location, while the area close to the pan-
els are given a comfortable indirect light.

SkyPort Illuminance Output Direct and indirect sunlight

10000 So
lar Il
9000 lumi
nanc
8000 e (lux
) 150
7000 So 000
lar Illum
Luminous Flux (lumen)

6000 inance (
lux) 100
5000 Solar Illum 000
inance (lu
4000 x ) 75 000
3000
2000
1000
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
SunWire Length (meter)

4
 SunWire
The SunWire is the fiber optic cable that
guides the sunlight from the SkyPort to
the indoor luminaires with very little
light loss. The SunWire is thin and flex-
ible, permitting easy and space efficient
installation.

Specifications
The SunWire, 25 mm in diameter, consists of 16
optical cables, sheathed with black, fire-retardant
Megolon. The bending radius can be as small as 25
mm. The weight is only 580 g per meter. Each of
the 16 optical cables consists in turn of 36 optical
fibers.These optical fibers, called High Performance
Plastic Optical Fiber (Eska) are 0,75 mm in diameter
and made of PMMA (PolyMethylMethAcrylate).

Light Transmission Data

The SunWire’s light transmission properties enable
high quality light transport up to 15 meters. This is
possible since the decrease in intensity for visible
light is only 4,6 % per meter.

Examples of SunWire Configurations Fiber Optic Cable

Circular Bushing (Aluminium)

Coating (Megolon) O 7,0 mm

O 10 mm

O 6,0 mm
Optical Fiber

O 25 mm O 0,75 mm

Light transmission in an optical fiber

Flat
0,75 mm O

10 mm
Core (PMMA)
51 mm Cladding (Fluorinated polymer)

5
 Björk
Björk is a Parans luminaire, designed to
give a spectacular sunlight experience.
The light is emitted as both strong light
beams and as ambient light. The feeling of
natural light is immediate.

Designer’s note
Björk is made of thin sheets of semi-transparent
acrylic, combining the lightness and transparency of
the sky with the crisp of bright sunlight. The sensa-
tion of standing under the Björk has been com-
pared to standing under the foliage of birch trees.
Björk is Swedish for Birch.

Björk luminaires Specifications

Model B-450 450 mm Model B-450

Dimension 450 x 450 x 90 mm
Weight 3,6 kg
450mm Number of Lenses 4
Light Emitting Area 2025 cm2
SunWire Quantity 4

Model B-459 900 mm Model B-459

Dimension 900 x 450 x 90 mm
Weight 7,2 kg
450 mm Number of Lenses 8
Light Emitting Area 4050 cm2
SunWire Quantity 8

Model B-900 Model B-900

Dimension 900 x 900 x 90 mm
900 mm
Weight 14,4 kg
Number of Lenses 16
Light Emitting Area 8100 cm2
SunWire Quantity 16
900 mm

6

Cortisol
Melatonin
Alertness
Body temperature
(Time) 6 12 18 24 6 12
Why is natural light healthier than artificial light?
Natural sunlight has a continuous spectrum, while
most artificial light lacks many frequencies that the
human body requires for essential functions. The
human organs are orchestrated to work in harmony
with each other, generating a body rhythm that is set
everyday by daylight. This rhythm is called circadian
and includes production and secretion of hormones
(see graph) to regulate functions such as body tem-
perature, awareness and immune system activity.
How much light will I get?
The light intensity under a Björk luminaire with 7
meters of SunWire is 4 000 lux when 100 000 lux
outdoors. This can be compared to the light level
of window displays and studios. A common desk-
top lighting is around 500 lux. Revise the SkyPort
section.
How many SkyPorts do I need for my project?
This depends on the size of the area to light up and
on which level of light that is wanted. It all depends
on the purpose of the installation. please contact us
for guidance. As an example 2 SkyPorts work well
for giving a good natural lighting effect in a room
of 20-30 m2.
FAQ
New technology give rise to new thoughts
and ideas.
-How many SkyPorts do we need for our
lobby? -Why is natural light better than
artificial? -Is there money to be saved?
In this final section, we answer the most
frequenly asked questions. Don’t hesitate
to contact us if you have further inquier-
ies.
18 24 6
Graph of the Circadian Rythm
Where can I buy Parans’ products?
Locate distributors by contacting Parans.
Can I install the system myself?
The installation of Parans system is comparable to
the installation of for example a satellite dish sys-
tem. The safe mounting of the SkyPort on the roof
and making of holes should be done professionally.
Will I get a tan under a Parans luminaire?
No, the UV-radiation that creates a tan is blocked
by Parans system (and so is IR-radiation). UV-ra-
diation is also harmful to tissues and textiles. Thus,
museums love this product since it enables them to
show art in natural light (just as classical pieces of
art were created in.)
What is the lifetime and warranty for the prod-
uct?
Parans products come with a 2-year warranty. All
materials and components are designed for a life
span of 30 years.
7

Is it possible to store the sunlight?
No, sunlight is instant and with exceptions for the
scientific achievement of storing light in a Bose-Ein-
stein element 1 ms, not storable.
Is it really sunlight that comes out of the fiber?
It is indeed the same sunlight that shines on the
SkyPort that is emitted through Parans’ luminaires.
Therefore, variations in colour and intensity of the
sunlight will instantly be transferred into the indoor
environment.
Can I turn the system off?
Yes, as an additional feature a switch can be con-
nected to the system. This feature is valuable in
many situations, for example when you have an on-
screen presentation.
What maintenance requires a SkyPort?
Just as an ordinary window needs to be cleaned, so
does the glass on the SkyPort. For optimum per-
formance, it also requires tilitng in order to follow
the seasonal changes in solar height on the Sky. The
tilt and cleaning can be done at the same occasion,
preferably at least twice per year. The SkyPort has
tilt presets that are interchangeable with just a few
easy operations.
What happens when cloudy - and at night?
Parans aims at establishing a connection to the
outdoors environment. Having the sun as the light
source, our system naturally doesn’t emit light
when clouds block the sun. This dynamic is one
key element of natural light. At night and at other
times when there is no sun you will need other
light sources for illumination.
How does the cost compare to other techniques
for natural light?
Already the initial cost is often lower than for com-
peting solutions for natural illumination, such as light
shafts and atriums. Furthermore, Parans’ system has
the advantage of not occupying a building’s valuable
space. This generates the large economical advan-
tage of being able to use a building’s space more
efficiently. Especially since the rent and building cost
per m3 is rising faster than other costs in society.
Parans Daylight AB, Kämpegatan 4, 412 55 Göteborg, Sweden, Telephone +46 31 20 15 90, www.parans.com
FAQ
How many hours of light captures a SkyPort?
The SkyPort must face the sun within an angel of
60 degrees. Two SkyPorts mounted southeast and
southwest respectively will enable 8 hours sun col-
lecting.
For which projects can Parans’ system be used?
Parans’ system can be installed as easily in existing
buildings as in buildings under construction. There
are only two factors that are crucial:
1:The location where the SkyPort is to be mounted
must be exposed to sunshine.
2: The cable distance from the SkyPort to the point
where the luminaire shall be placed must not be
more than 15 meters. See the SunWire section.
Does the system transfer heat into buildings?
No, the IR-radiation that converts to heat when
absorbed by an object is blocked by Parans’ system.
Compared to competing techniques for natural illu-
mination as well as electrical lighting creates excess
heat. In most buildings, the cooling of this excess
Copyright 2006. Parans Daylight AB. All rights reserved. Parans reserves the right to change specifications or features without notice as design improvements are incorporated.
heat consumes large amounts of energy.
How can Parans assist me in planning an instal-
lation?
Clients are welcome to come to us with ideas for
projects. The client and Parans make a project plan
including placement of the SkyPort and luminaires,
pricing and details of delivery and installation. Parans’
team of architects, designers and engineers ensure
high quality in all aspects of the installations.
At what point in the construction process is in-
stallation advisable?
This differs from case to case. The best procedure
is to prepare holes in the roof and ceilings for the
SunWire before the installation. We must also plan
for drawing the SunWire from the location of the
SkyPort to the desired location of the luminaire.
For example by placing pipes similar to those for
electrical cables. The actual installation is usually
done late in the process, around the time of install-
ing e.g. electrical lighting.
Do SkyPorts require electricity?
The SkyPort consumes 0,9W, which is a minimal
amount of power. The electricity cost for 1 SkyPort
1 year is less than € 1 (based on average European
electricity costs).