A compound optical and electrical conductor includes a fiberoptic light transmitting
element (multiple fibers or single solid rod) with at least one solar cell with
LED therewith. The electrical conductor or conductors may be imbedded or otherwise
secured within the optically conducting element or its surrounding jacket or sheath,
or may be contained in a separate elongate retainer which may be provided to hold
the optically conducting element in place as desired. The conductors may include
a jacket or retainer which is optically open along one side thereof, allowing the
optical conductor to emit light laterally therefrom subtending an angle defined
by the optical gap in the jacket or retainer. One or more compound connectors may
be provided, for linking two or more such compound conductors together as desired.
The connectors provide for both the concentric alignment of the optical conductors,
and also the electrical connection of the electrical conductors of the compound
devices. The connectors preferably each include one or more lighting elements (halogen,
high output LED, etc.) to compensate for light attenuation along the lengths of
the attached optical conductors. The electrically conducting elements of the compound
conductors provide electrical power to the lighting elements enclosed within the
connectors, to provide an increase in light power at points along the length of
an assembly. Different colors of lights may be provided, with the electrical conductors
providing for the selective illumination of each as desired.