Latitude requirement for solar tubes?

[Formulator]

We are planning to build a new house and of course I have been dreaming up all sorts of ideas for my built-in tank…

How far north have folks had success with natural solar lighting? Am I dreaming here in Missouri?

 

[edsbeaker]

We had solar tubes in a house in the Chicago suburbs. That thing brought in lots of light. I would say that it could work up north without a problem IF the solar tube was on the south side of the house where it gets sun all year long, even when the sun is lower in the sky in winter. If a solar tube is on the north side, it won’t be nearly as efficient.

 

[Formulator]

We had solar tubes in a house in the Chicago suburbs. That thing brought in lots of light. I would say that it could work up north without a problem IF the solar tube was on the south side of the house where it gets sun all year long, even when the sun is lower in the sky in winter. If a solar tube is on the north side, it won’t be nearly as efficient.

That is encouraging! I’m just south of Chicago in St. Louis.

 

[edsbeaker]

If I recall, our solar tubes had mirrored walls to magnify the amount of sunlight coming in. I’m not sure if that’s how they all are.