Huge Solar Roof at Akademie Mont-Cenis
by Justin Thomas, Virginia 
on 10. 5.06
The Akademie Mont-Cenis in Germany has a glass roof canopy that creates a "micro-climate" for the building's interior (see more photos here). The roof also features integrated solar cells that produce about 700,000 kWh of energy per year. It is said to be the largest PV installation on a single roof. The building's clever design means that the cells not only generate electricity but also act as a shading system. There's also an extensive shuttering system for ventilation control. See more photos after the jump...
The photovoltaics actually generate twice as much power as the building needs, and the surplus energy is used in nearby homes. The complex is built on a revitalized former coal mine, and methane from the mine is used for back-up power generation. See also this new post on the Solar Glass and Ventilation System of the building.
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What a fantastic idea. The interior buildings are completely separate of the outer structure. The outer structure takes the brunt of the elements so that the inner structures can be lightly built. How about a beautiful tent made of natural fibers with a beautiful hardwood frame. Or how about a house made of carboard? Or a house made of bamboo?
That's something that should be replicated alot. Solar power is still a very underutilized technology at this day and age. Someday soon, homes should be able to harness the power of the sun to generate energy. I live in the Philippines and we are a tropical, third-world country. Technologies like that can greatly benefit us.
Ingenious. Very good design thinking and very efficient use of both the PVs and shading system.