Communities of the future are being created all around us. Our infrastructure is being reimagined with sustainability and self reliance at the fore front. This does not have to come at the expense of aesthetics. A common objection to solar panels and renewable technology is that they looking bulky and unattractive. As new building and installation techniques are developed – we are starting to see how solar can be integrated seamlessly into our everyday lives. We are witnessing the rise of beautiful solar architecture.
This post is dedicated to beautiful examples of solar energy projects. These are projects from around the world that showcase the latest in installation designs and integration methods for solar pv technology. In these example we see the perfect marriage of form and function. Structures that not only look stunning, but also serve multiple purposes.
Blauhaus (Blue House) – Mönchengladbach, Germany
Blauhaus (Blue House) in Mönchengladbach, Germany, embeds energy-generating solar panels within the facade. The sleek, reflective exterior of this mixed-use educational facility adds a functional flourish to the building’s progressive profile. Designed by Kadawittfeldarchitektur, the structure is a joint project between Niederrheim University and the local utility company NEW, and gives both institutions a cutting-edge space for collaboration and learning.
P.S. 62 – New York City, USA
The Kathleen Grimm School for Leadership and Sustainability at Sandy Ground, or P.S. 62. It is designed and built to meet an ambitious goal , net-zero energy, generating as much energy each year as it consumes. It is the city’s first net-zero-energy school, and one of the first of its kind in the United States.
Science Pyramid – Denver, USA
With a jagged shape inspired by the tectonic shifts that formed the Rocky Mountains, the Science Pyramid by Burkett Design is clad in gray hexagonal tile and solar panels that blend in with the pattern.
Endesa Pavilion – Barcelona, Spain
ENDESA Pavilion is a self-sufficient solar prototype installed at the Marina Dock, within the framework of the International BCN Smart City Congress. The pavilion is a prototype of a multi-scale construction system. A facade composed of modular components, like solar brick, that respond to photovoltaic gaining, solar protection, insulation, ventilation, lighting.
