Solar power is arguably the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available to us. It is therefore no surprise that all around the world, architects and designers are incorporating solar technology into new buildings and projects to make them as green as possible.
Sanyo’s Solar Ark is a wonderful creation that more people should try and copy. It is build from materials that were meant to be thrown away. We don’t realize how many good products we throw away in our life time. Sanyo was determined to build the largest PV system for its 50th anniversary. There had previously been a scandal regarding the company, a bunch of cells had been recalled and were meant to be thrown away. Sanyo was upset and wanted to prove to the world how important it is to have good quality products. The ark that is created is a 630 KW building that collects solar energy. it holds over 5000 panels and each year creates 500,000 kWh of energy. Surrounding the ark, there are more than 75000 LEDS that can make images and show messages. With a built in solar museum and a lab, inside the Ark the company is thinking of more ways to make our world a better place! The Japanese care!
The Chinese care too! they have created a China is the leader in solar cells. Their building has so many things built inside. Like exhibition centers, research facilities, meetings rooms and a hotel! This building allows the company to save 30% energy then their standard.
A project that will cost $750 million is being constructed it Australia. EnviroMission Ltd is planning to build two huge 2,400 ft solar updraft towers that is spreader across hundreds of acres of land in La Paz County, Arizona. “Using solar draft technology, the towers generate hot air with a giant greenhouse and then channel the air into the chimney. The warm air then turns a turbine to produce energy.”
Aiming to restore growth in the world’s scorched lands, Michael Pawlyn, Charlie Paton and Bill Watts have come up with a project that will launch in 2015. Located in the Sahara Forest (between Norway and Jordan). If it works out, the world will benefit greatly. It will relieve the food and water need, will produce biofuels, and create forests that are much needed in deserted areas.
This project (The Desertec Initiative) is said to be the world’s largest solar project in the whole wide world. It is planned that by the year 2050, it will deliver 15% of Europe’s electricity. It will cost $550 billion to create but will be well worth it. “A reliable, sustainable and climate friendly energy supply” that will be located in North Africa’s Sahara desert. Who wouldn’t want that?
The Vatican, which is the smallest country in the world, has the largest solar plant located in all of Europe. Spread out of 740 acres of land near Santa Maria di Galeria. For a total o $660 million, they have constructed and built a 100MW photovoltaic installation. It’s output is enough for the whole country.
As you can see, everyone around the world is trying to help out the environment by creating energy from natural sources. Little changes add up to big changes. What will you do today that will benefit our mother nature?
Source> http://inhabitat.com/the-worlds-6-coolest-solar-powered-projects/solar-projects/
Source> http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blog.tmcnet.com/green-web-conferencing/savetheplanet.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blog.tmcnet.com/green-web-conferencing/2009/03/how_green_is_web_conferencing.html&usg=__H40wzQP8RwN3IWNg-5f3QjiHnk4=&h=346&w=347&sz=144&hl=en&start=4&zoom=1&tbnid=lkbWVo5WJFfrEM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=120&ei=RqgrUZenG6m10AHumIG4Cg&prev=/search%3Fq%3DGreen%2Bis%2Bin%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&sa=X&ved=0CDAQrQMwAw
source> http://inhabitat.com/the-worlds-6-coolest-solar-powered-projects/