August 1, 2011

Sonnenschiff Gives Back

It may resemble a cheap US motel from the 60's, but this is actually a solar city in Freiburg, Germany. Sonnenschiff (Solar Ship) and Solarsiedlung (Solar Village) not only supports itself, it produces 4 times the energy it consumes. Fifty two homes with passive solar heating and lighting were built with rooftop solar arrays that double as sun shades. In addition, the rooftops feature gardens with rainwater recycling systems. The use of phase-change materials and vacuum insulation in the Sonnenschiff help in keeping the project green.

Via Sonnenschiff (translated)