Solar Design
June 9, 2010
Lunar Solar Belt Conceptualized
The Japanese company Shimizu has a curious idea to energize the planet. They want to build a 6,800 mile long solar belt that would be the length of the Moon's equator. After converting it there, the power will be beamed back to Earth and turned into laser and microwave power. They figure that they can create energy 24/7 and will use robots to maintain the facility.
Via Shimizu
April 30, 2010
Ripe Radish Glows and Grows
Radishes may not be our favorite vegetables, but we are thinking that the bunnies that frequent our backyard may mistake them for the real thing. Designed by Arthur Xin, the "Ripe Radish" collects energy by day and glows red during the night. It also doubles as a flowerpot so that you can grow the real thing.
Via Yanko
April 28, 2010
Last Resort - This Ain't Your Grandma's Houseboat
Copenhagen's RAFFA Architecture & Designs have come up with the Last Resort, a solar-powered home that floats on water. A glorified houseboat, its solar array powers both the engine and the home itself. At a size of 5 x 15 meters, it has two decks and is large enough to have a living room, 2 bedrooms, kitchen and bath. Although still only at the design stage, the company has already gotten several orders for it. We so want one.
Via RAFFA
April 7, 2010
Masdar First Zero Carbon City?
Masdar plans to be the first zero carbon city. It is being designed by British architects Foster and Partners and will cost Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, between $15 and 30 billion. A large solar farm will power the city and a circular field of mirrors send light towards a tower that will produce heat and power generators. Masdar will be using some electricity for air conditioning, desalinization and electronics, but the motto here is "Only use energy when you have exhausted design."
Via BBC
April 6, 2010
ideal Star Creates Solar Thread
The Tokyo based company ideal Star has developed a method to produce solar cells in flexible, thin threads. The first prototype is 5cm long and 0.8mm in diameter. The company claims that when they can make them longer, they can create sheets or fabric for curtains. While conversion efficiency is only around 3% for now, they say that up to 10% is possible. ideal Star hopes to commercialize the technology within the next five years and that mass production would be less expensive than that of standard silicon cells.
Via Headline News
March 31, 2010
Maryland Students Build Portable Solar Classroom
Pre-engineering students from Washington County Technical High School in Maryland designed a portable classroom with solar panels, grass walls, a green roof and other eco-friendly features. The display was so innovative that State Farm Insurance and SkillsUSA gave them a grant of $10,000 to make their design become reality. The group plans to use it to buy panels, an inverter and other materials.
Via Herald-Mail
March 29, 2010
Solar Ivy is Flexible Energy
Sustainably Minded Interactive Technology's pet project, Solar Ivy, is a system made with polyethylene leaves, plastic organic photovoltaics and stainless steel mesh to hold it all together. Each leaf produces about a half watt of power and leaves can be replaced if they malfunction. SMIT seems to have gotten it together as they seem anxious to get some backing and sell their systems. We have to admit we certainly like the design and flexibility.
Via Solar Ivy
March 25, 2010
Birchway's Aesthetically Pleasing Eco-Community
The Birchway Eco-Community was built in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Twenty four affordable 1 and 2 bedroom curvy housing units are available. The homes were pre-fabbed and already had kitchens and bathrooms installed. Designed by Acanthus LW Architects for Paradigm Housing, they feature solar thermal and panels, rainwater capture, high insulation, passive ventilation, heat recovery and a biomass boiler for heat and hot water.
Via Birchway
SilverTree Tower Ready by 2010 Olympics
A new residential tower may be built in the Borough of Newham, UK in time for the 2010 Olympics. The SilverTree will be 24 stories high with 2 colored panels that will supply energy from its solar panels as well as shading. Another side will house a vertical garden with terraces and balconies. Designed by Studio RHE, additional energy will be generated by a ground source heat pump. When completed, it will house 161 residents, an open deck, and has space for retail and business offices below.
Via World Architecture News
March 18, 2010
Skyscraper To Purify Jakarta Water System
The city of Jakarta was conceived as a water city but the 13 rivers that cross it are now polluted and have flooded the city. The Ciliwung Recovery Program will purify it again with a new skyscraper. When water runs through the building from the river, garbage is separated and contaminants are removed while good minerals are added. Finally, household waste gets reprocessed and the water is sent back to the river. The building also doubles as an energy generator that produces wind power and solar energy with a large reactor on the roof.
Via designboom
March 17, 2010
Zep'lin, Spokesboat for Renault
Designer Damien Grossemy's Zep'lin is a vertical flying sailboat conceived for Renault. Solar panels tilt towards the sun for energy and lithium ion batteries store the extra energy. Expected to be built by 2015, the vehicle will be used to promote the car company's electric cars.
Via Damien Grossemy
March 16, 2010
PRO-AMX Solar City Concept Car
PRO-AMX, aka Mexican Automotive Projects, was started in Mexico in 2008 to build clean vehicles. They now have two concept cars in development. The SGT-HC combines a 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor. The Solar City needs nothing but the sun to keep it going with cells located on the awning and glazed area of the car.
Via Autoblog
March 12, 2010
Site O' the Week: Ma Modular
Ma Modular uses 15 x 36 ft. and 15 x 60 ft. modules in combination with a connector module to create your dream home. Our SOW this week allows you to design your Ma home with green materials such as cork and bamboo. Green options include photovoltaic panels, geothermal HVAC, tankless water heating and a rainwater harvesting system. At $125 a square ft., you have to provide your own foundation.
Via Ma Modular
March 2, 2010
Sustainable City Lights from Philips
This prototype from Phillips Design is a simple concept in lighting. The Sustainable City Lights unfurl in the day to capture solar and wind energy, and are only triggered at night when people are around. Any excess energy returns to the main grid.
Via Philips
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