Solatube International in Vista has installed 148 of its daylighting systems in the gymnasium of Beijing Science & Technology University, where the judo and taekwondo competitions and the Paralympics wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball events will be held during the 2008 Olympics.

The Solatube 750 DS gathers early morning and late afternoon sunlight and brings it into the building. The company says that in the intense Beijing sun of August, the system will eliminate powerful glare and hot spots and stop UV rays from entering the building.

For the Olympics project, the Solatube 750 DS systems cost about $1,000 per unit, which includes a significant amount of extra tubing, or a total of $148,000, not including installation costs.

Solatube CEO David Rillie says the company is taking orders for the new product with shipping to be done in the fourth quarter.