GE just announced that it is readying a new solar thin-film panel, system, and inverter product with a goal to provide the lowest cost of electricity in the market. The multinational corporation is backing a cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film product and recently topped 15% efficiencies on commercial glass, according to a press release.
Earlier this year, we took a look at four projects racing to meet the requirements of the Living Building Challenge. Now, the International Living Building Institute has completed third-party certification audits and announced the world’s first Living Buildings. The Omega Center for Sustainable Living (NY) and Tyson Living Learning Center (MO) both earned full certification, while Eco-Sense (BC) earned Petal Recognition for meeting four of six petals.
Just a heads up to homeowners, builders, and contractors. I received word from Atlas Media that they’re casting for a new show on the DIY Network called “Ultimate Home Builders.” Ultimate Home Builders will document the new home building process with a different home each episode and your project could be included in this new series.
This solar flower — slightly more literal that these solar sunflowers in Austin — has been getting more and more attention these days. SolarFlora, designed by Nectar Design, is now on tour at events and locations in California. The 13-foot flower is made with aircraft aluminum, weighs 300 pounds, and is large enough to hold up to four solar panels. Depending on conditions, SolarFlora can generate up to 600 watt-hours per day.
There’s a plot of land on 18th Street and Broadway Boulevard in Kansas City. In time, the owner intends to use it for something commercial or residential, but, in the mean time, 360 Architecture helped transform the land with an interim solution. 18Broadway is now a demonstration of storm water management, urban agriculture, and energy independence on one city block.
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