Conservatory solar heating in winter

[ianess]

Hi....our Northwest facing conservatory is missing out on captured solar heat at this time of year. The Southwest facing wall of the house has no view but gets sunlight most of the day. Is there any way of "capturing" this light [ie bending the sunlight round the corner] or is this just wishful thinking?

[CT]

Mirrors. Failing that, it's unlikely that light is going to bend round your house. (Unless you keep a black hole in the cupborad.)

[funnywebsite]

I wish I knew this answer I have a north facing garden too that is why I never built a conservatory, it hardly gets any sun except in mid summer and only late afternoon.

[CT]

Is it the light you want, or warmth from the sunlight? You could get a light that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) sufferers use. These are supposed to mimick natural light {may be expensive}. Or put a small portable gas fire in there to heat the place up.

[ianess]

Primarily I'm looking to access some more solar heating....it's just a pity that the wrong wall gets it at this time of year. I do have an oil-filled Delonghi which is very good but the thought of not being able to tap into all that free heat is irritating me! I could always extend the central heating but if there's an alternative.........

[CT]

Not really any that I can think of, unless you get some solar panels, then use those to heat the place. Too much work IMO. Maybe someone else will have some ideas by tomorrow.