Solar Glass and Louvered Ventilation at Akademie Mont-Cenis

Here are some images of the solar cells integrated into the Akademie Mont-Cenis complex. You can also see the automated ventilation system built into the glass walls of this 123,200-square-foot enclosure. In summer, louvered openings in the glass structure's lower quadrants bring in cool air, while warm air is expelled through roof vents. The temperatures inside the structure are distinctly Mediterranean, allowing the interior buildings to be made of wood.

In winter, concrete and gravel floors serve as a heat sink, while heat-recovery units pull warm exhaust air from the conditioned spaces. There is no air conditioning. Rainwater collected from the roof is used to clean the roof, flush toilets and water lawns.

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.