According to a report by Interesting Engineering, the eight-story 550 Spencer building is being built in Melbourne, Australia, with 1,182 solar panels to create a North facade that resembles conventional glass panels.
(Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
BERLIN – APRIL 01: Photovoltaic cells cover an area of 426 square meters on the 70 m high south facade of a residential building on April 01, 2010 in Berlin, Germany.
It will be more powerful than conventional solar panels installed on your homes, like the solar roof from Tesla. A standard rooftop solar panel system produces between 3-6 kW, this building is expected to produce up to 142 kW at its peak.
Not only does it produce more energy that can benefit its users, but it will also help the climate by preventing 78.4 tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere each year. It can also save space as conventional solar panels are placed on the roof of the building. Due to its location, the rooftop can now be used as a garden for a greener effect.
The construction of the building is expected to be completed in 2024.
Also Read: Solar Powering Rocket Lab Will Power US Space Force’s New Missile Warning Satellites
How It Began
Studio founder and Australian firm Kennon planned this new project in Melbourne because he realized that solar panels made of glass would be a good facade for a building that could help with his electricity.
He researched various parts of Europe to find material for this project and went to Germany because no one from Australia was making this product. That’s why executives from Avancis, the company that will make the panels, flew to Australia to help Kenon make it possible.
“After we found out it wasn’t available in Australia, we started discussions with a number of manufacturers. We designed the facade of the building with the product and I presented the concept to the client.” Kenon explained in a report for New Atlas.
Although the use of glass panels was rejected by a building appeals board in Australia, the entire studio collaborated with Red Fire Engineers, a local construction fire safety company, to test whether the panels would work and were safe to use. To get a closer look and observe these panels, a copy of the facade was burned and documented the entire process to see how it would react if this happened. Due to this determination, the project is still ongoing.
Solar Power for Jets
Airplanes, defense aircraft and others were kerosene based, because it harmed the environment as it caused carbon emissions.
Experts from ETH Zurich, a Swiss public research university, have been able to develop the first Carbon Neutral Jet Fuel created by a Solar Energy Tower. It will be part of the European Union’s LIQUID FROM THE SUN, which the new solar-powered system could help as it aims to find legal alternatives to avoid using kerosene for aircraft.
Related Article: The first carbon neutral jet fuel generated by a solar powered tower! How it can help the Airline Industry
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Written by Inno Flores
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