US firm launches daylighting technology

A local firm has partnered with an American energy company to introduce a technology that will help companies reduce their energy bills by replacing artificial lighting in the premises during the day with natural light.

Known as the tubular daylighting devices (TDD), these devices capture natural lighting and beam it into the premises. Steam Plant Limited has partnered with United States’ energy company Solatube International to roll out the daylighting technology into the country. According to Solatube International Director of International sales Todd Maerowitz, the technology will see an average premise in Nairobi reduce its daylighting cost by up to 80 per cent translating to net financial savings of $20,455 (Sh2,086,410). Steam Plant Managing Director Kariuki Mbugua said 20 per cent of shopping malls’ budget is in lighting as they operate from eight in the morning to eight at night.