Solar Buildings
March 4, 2010
Monaco Pavilion Part of World Expo
When Shanghai hosts the World Expo this year, this "rock surrounded by the dancing light of a perfect sea" will be one of the attractions. The Monaco Pavilion, designed by Naco Architecture, is a 2000 sq. meter building that projects light ripples on its LED face. The system features a miniature pool behind it and constant changes are reflected in the building. The solar pavilion will trap the sunlight by day and light it at night.
Via designboom
February 16, 2010
Eco-Cybernetic City is Alive!
The Eco-Cybernetic City, designed by Orlando De Urrutia, has been dubbed an "alive machine." The edifice consists of 2 towers with aerogenerators that control air flow for creating wind energy. It also has photovoltaic lattices for solar energy and a multimedia LED facade that changes with the atmosphere. Because there are bio-climatic panels that make up the skin, vegetation can grow and provide air purifying.
Via Orlando De Urritia
February 12, 2010
Solar Snob SOW: Suntech Power
The Chinese company Suntech Power Holdings has become the first company to come to the US and employ 70 local residents in Goodyear, Arizona. The plan is to use its solar electricity manufacturing technologies and equipment in cooperation with Arizona State University. The plant will produce 30MW power with a future expansion planned at 120MW. It will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs since solar panels will not need to be shipped in from overseas. We applaud the efforts and name Suntech our Site 'O the Week for not only building solar items but using same for the plant's power.
Via Suntech
February 8, 2010
Qatar's Eco-Friendly Convention Center
The Qatar National Convention Center is going up. The 177,000 sq. meter QNCC has 3,600 sq. meters of solar panels on its roof to supply about 12% of the power. Also included is LED lighting and wireless Internet access to cut down on paper usage. The center should be completed next year and will be able to house conventions, exhibitions, gala events, concerts, weddings and banquets.
Via Qatar Convention Center
February 3, 2010
Intel Adds Solar Power to Facilities
Intel is planning to add solar power to 8 of their facilities in the US. To be completed in the next 7 months, they will collectively supply about 2.5MW energy making them some of the largest found in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Oregon. In addition, the company plans to increase renewable energy credits by 10% to to 1.43 billion KWh reduce their carbon footprint.
Via Intel
February 1, 2010
The Very Green 2010 Winter Olympics
When the 2010 Winter Olympics lands in Vancouver, a very green Olympic Village will be there to greet it. Designed to meet LEED standards, each building will have a green roof and, although solar energy was deemed too expensive, solar hot water panels will be used for heating and cooling. Harvested rainwater will irrigate the roof and landscape.
Via Vancouver Olympics
January 28, 2010
UA to Construct Solar Tech Park
The University of Arizona Tech Park is using solar power to make themselves and others aware of same. They will be building a 45 acre park covered with parabolic solar mirrors. When the $32 million project is completed next year, it will generate enough energy for over 1,500 homes and will reduce up to 1,600 tons of carbon emissions. In addition to producing electricity, it will also house a research and development facility.
Via UA News
Energy Roof Goes Up in Italy
The Energy Roof, designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au, is powered by the sun and wind, and is completely self-sufficient. The west wing is covered with solar cells while the east wing has 5 wind turbines. Located in Perugia, Italy, the decorative and strange looking canopy is an entrance to an underground gallery that displays the history of the city and connects to a metro station.
Via Coop Himmelb(l)au
January 19, 2010
New Jersey Houses Enormous Solar Carport
What is being touted as the largest solar-powered carport in the US has been constructed at an auction facility in Bordentown, NJ. In an area of 13,000 sq. meters, the 1MW structure, built by Alpha Energy, has 5,880 solar panels of 170W capacity and is about the size of three American football fields. It was constructed with 11 inverters so that if one array is damaged, 90% of the total power can still be supplied. The system should generate more than 1,056,000 kilowatt hours per year which is enough to power 114 homes.
Via Alpha
January 18, 2010
ULVAC Combines PV and EV in Charging System
Tokyo's ULVAC has combined photovoltaic power-generation with rapid charging for electric vehicles. The company will be building a facility that includes solar panels, power conditioner, power supply and a power-generation control monitor for Chigasaki City. Any power not used for charging can be sold back to local electric companies. The system takes about 25 minutes for 80% of the EV's capacity.
Via Solar Industry Mag
January 7, 2010
ECO Building Only Ten Square Feet Area
More space for the product means less space for the edifice. Designer Igor Davydov's building only needs about 10 sq. ft. The ECO Building runs on both wind and solar energy and can be used for multiple purposes, although we are somewhat partial to this sheep concept.
Via i green spot
December 30, 2009
Roof Tiles Incorporate Solar Panels
SRS Energy has cleverly designed solar panels that can be integrated into the roof tiles, as opposed to having flat tiles over an existing roof. Made of a lightweight, recyclable plastic, the Solé Power Tile is molded with a solar cell. Because they are linked together, they can continue to work even if an individual one stops. So if you were thinking of re-roofing this spring, consider this aesthetically pleasing alternative that can also save you some bucks.
Via SRS Energy
December 28, 2009
Arctic Mobile Unit Runs on Solar Power and Generator
2-B-2 Architecture's Andrey Bondarenko designed a prefabricated arctic mobile unit to help keep researchers in cold climates stay warm. Running on a solar battery and 5 kilowatt generator, it can handle winds of up to 50 mph and the heat lasts for 15 days. With a steel frame, carbon panels and polyethylene membranes for insulation, the small building consists of a modular work/rest area, kitchen and bathroom. Its compact 2000 x 1600 x 2300 mm size makes it simple for transporting.
Via designboom
December 24, 2009
Spain PSI Bus Stop Part of CCC
The Copenhagen UN Climate Change Conference this month included a "Future City" with 12 participants proposals that are already in their areas. One of these is Spain's student designed PSI bus stop that is powered by the sun, needs no connection to a power grid and is 100% recyclable. Best of all, it doesn't produce any emission and only consumes 70 Wh/d. It has an E-ink display that gives a reading of travel information.
Via Ecofriend
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