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 (20), 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 (112) which is optically open along one side thereof,
allowing the optical conductor (14) 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 (16a-16c) of the
compound devices. The connectors preferably each include one or more
lighting elements to compensate for light attenuation along the lengths
of the attached optical conductors.