A novel photobioreactor creating fluctuating light from solar energy for a higher light-to-biomass conversion efficiency

•A photobioreactor generating controlled fluctuating light from the sunlight was developed.•The novel photobioreactor efficiently captures and distributes the solar energy.•A higher light-to-biomass conversion efficiency was achieved.•The photobioreactor significantly enhances the photosynthesis and growth of algae.•Biomass productivity can be increased >55% versus conventional reactors.