We’re starting to see a number of interesting products in the building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) area of solar innovation. A company out of Grass Valley, California – Sun Energy Engineering Co. – has developed a low-profile solar shingle, or Sun Energy Shingle, to be used instead of roofing shingles or over existing shingles. It’s available in custom colors, too, depending on what kind of look you’re trying to get on the rooftop.
NanaWall Systems provides a sleek, folding, glass wall system that's seen in a lot of green homes that we mention (for example, see this Sunset Breezehouse). A homeowner may purchase a NanaWall for any number of reasons, whether to blur indoor and outdoor spaces, provide views, or draw natural light into interior spaces. Now, though, all this can be done with greater efficiency using NanaWall's new SL70 with triple glazing system.
In Powhatan, Virginia, there’s this three-level home that Handcraft Homes built with SIPs. Designed by Watershed Architects, the project anticipates a minimum of LEED Silver certification and, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, was built for about $280,000. The owners expect to recoup the extra cost of their green investment through energy savings gained over about seven years.
Also, follow @jetsongreen on Twitter for more news, links, and commentary.
RLG Properties, Inc. recently announced this new single-family development in Atwater Village that takes advantage of the small lot ordinance in City of Los Angeles. With 23 homes under construction — all of them will have 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and an open floor plan — prices at The Mews start at $599,000. Designed by Corsini + Stark, green features include extensive daylighting, operable clerestory windows, natural ventilation, Grasscrete permeable paving, bamboo flooring, drought tolerant landscaping, energy efficient appliances, and an installed solar system.
Project Profiles
