The road to a custom heliostat window unit is in front of me. My work so far has focused on observation of the sun through south-facing windows and refining the design / all the reflective materials I have. Here are recent benchmarks:

– I tested three PV panels using the solar cart… they work! Next, I need to understand the number solar input/power output.

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– My window sills are reflective junk yards at the moment. I have had to refine my BOM and identify key designs. I pursued the first on my list: reflective shutters facing east/west on my window frame. I spoke with Michael Zhou who created this:

https://michaelzhou.studio/creative-tech/10

Michael and I both had a difficult time understanding the unifying shutter mechanism of blinds, the string which equally ‘articulates’ the shutters. This was a riddle to me as a kid and I think it’s the reason that kids like to play with blinds. The synchronized shift is very satisfying. I made this:

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Based on:

Linear Fresnel Heliostat

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-G5QrkaDiI&ab_channel=TFBNGHT

These square mirrors are 6.5”long X 2” wide. They do not easily shift up and down and I realize the importance of the stabilizing pole in this design. The first pole was too thick, not allowing for full articulation. After the second pole, I realized my design needs two stabilizing poles at both ends and one central pole – the one which adjusts the angle/articulation.

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Research:

– Dare to be a Wildflower

– What I’m doing is daylighting.

<aside> 💡 “The seventeenth century brought forth the exploration of studying the abundance of light radiated from the Sun. Telescopes became the primary device utilized to truly investigate these means, as it provided users with visuals that magnified instances it was set to focus on. By directing light into the fixed telescope through a reflective mirrored piece, Hooke and others began to develop the conceptual beginnings of the heliostat (Mills 89).”

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<aside> 💡 “To bring in the Sun, that is the new and the most imperative active duty of the architect” – Le Corbusier

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<aside> 💡 “Light is a drug that stimulates the production of serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acids in the human body, enhancing impulse control, motivation, muscle coordination, calmness and focus” – Lisa Heschong

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– NYC.GOV has open data available regarding NYCHA ACCESSolar Opportunities

– Solar One