Lighting system combining natural and artificial light

A system for lighting an interior of a building, comprising:

• at least one light duct having an inlet for receiving natural light and a reflective inner surface for transferring the natural light;
• polarized glass positioned in the path of the light duct;
• a voltage source connected to the polarized glass, wherein the opacity of the polarized glass changes as the voltage supplied to the polarized glass by the voltage source changes to dim the natural light passed through the light duct;
• a light fixture for illuminating a portion of the building interior, the light fixture connected to an outlet of the at least one light duct and having a lighting mount for operatively connecting at least one dimmable artificial light source thereto such that both natural light and artificial light are emitted from the light fixture to the portion of the building interior;
• a photo sensor positioned in the portion of the building interior being illuminated by the light fixture for sensing an illumination level in the portion of the building interior being illuminated;
• and
• a controller in communication with the photo sensor, the light fixture and the voltage source and being programmed to adjust at least one of:
• (1) the amount of light emitted by the at least one artificial light source and (2) the opacity of the polarized glass in response to fluctuation in the illumination level sensed in the portion of the building interior being illuminated in order to maintain a desired illumination level in the portion of the building interior being illuminated.