Today, we’ll be exploring the relationship between solar power and architecture.
As our world continues to expand, it must continue to harness the abilities of renewable energy sources—measures towards sustainability assist in reducing greenhouse gases, conserving natural resources, and decreasing water usage. Today, we’re diving into how solar energy plays a role in ensuring a sustainable future for humanity and the environment through beautiful and impactful architecture.
1. The International Space Station – outer space
The International Space Station (ISS) has been orbiting the Earth since its launch in 1998. It is undeniable that even in 2024, it remains a remarkable feat of engineering. One of the main factors in its longevity is its reliance on solar energy. Because of that, the ISS, located 250 miles from Earth, relies entirely on solar power. Harnessing the sun’s power is crucial for everything from orbiting the Earth to groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
What’s more impressive than solar power in space is space-based solar power. Generally speaking, space-based solar panels are more durable than the conventional solar panels used in residential and commercial settings down on Earth. That is because space-based solar panels must withstand the excessive heat and cold conditions in space and extreme situations, such as the constant shower of solar radiation. In addition, the panels can hit around 34% efficiency.
The space station is also a unique science laboratory. Several nations worked together to build and use the space station. All seven nations made parts and assembled them in space with the help of astronauts. The ISS orbits Earth at an average altitude of approximately 250 miles. Traveling at 17,500 mph, it orbits Earth every 90 minutes. NASA uses the space station to learn more about living and working in space. These lessons will make it possible to send humans farther into space than ever before.
2. Kyabirwa Surgical Center – Uganda
The Mount Sinai Kyabirwa Surgical Facility in rural Eastern Uganda is exceptionally self-sufficient and topped with solar panels. The Surgery facility produces almost 54,000 kWh and uses 87 percent of that total accumulation. This fantastic resource for the people of Uganda was built by local laborers using materials sourced from the area. “Over 50,000 bricks and 20,000 tiles were handcrafted from the local clay.” Interestingly enough, architects took inspiration from banana plants that grow in the area for the shape of the building. Uniquely, the solar panels act as shade, providing a canopy for the brick structures.
In 2001, Uganda introduced free universal healthcare, but access is only sometimes practical. “Today, 84 percent of Ugandans live in rural areas—and over 75 percent must travel more than two hours for basic surgical services.” To combat these challenges, The Mount Sinai Kyabirwa Surgical Facility was developed to offer healthcare to a rural area outside the city, “Jinja.” Unfortunately, the significant cost has prevented resource-poor communities from medical treatments. The team at Kyabirwa Surgical Facility believes everyone deserves access to affordable and safe surgical care. The facility has recorded less than 1 percent post-surgical wound infections.
3. Copenhagen International School – Denmark
At the Copenhagen International School, sustainability is part of its DNA. The entire exterior of the school is composed of 12,000 multi-colored solar panels. Copenhagen’s International School was founded in 1963; in 2017, it relocated to a newly built state-of-the-art facility just 3 miles from the city center in Nordhavn. CIS’s solar-powered school provides education for Pre-K through Grade 12 and is home to more than 900 students from 80 different countries!
The school’s dedication to sustainability is second to none. CIS integrates solar studies into its curriculum using the energy production their institution generates in real-time through classes like physics and mathematics. It’s pretty awesome! On top of that, CIS is proud to be a CHORA 2030 School. CHORA is an accreditation awarded to Danish educational institutions committed to working strategically and ambitiously in support of the UN’s global goals.
4. Kaohsiung Stadium – Taiwan
Located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, is a breathtaking stadium in the shape of what appears to be a question mark. However, the 150 million dollar stadium is more popularly known for its skeletal design closely resembling a dragon tail as opposed to a question mark. Others may also know it as the world’s largest solar-powered stadium. Equally important, the stadium was built using 100 percent recyclable materials and was designed to take advantage of the summer wind to maximize cooling by letting the air circulate freely.
This gargantuan structure is covered with 8,844 solar panels, making it the world’s first fully energy-independent stadium. Subsequently, Kaohsiung Stadium is the largest photovoltaic system in Taiwan, capable of producing 1.14GWh of electricity annually. Of course, you’re wondering, “Well, what do they do with all that energy? Events only take place there at a maximum of a few days a week.” On days when the stadium isn’t being used, the Taiwanese government can feed the extra energy into the local grid, providing almost 80 percent of the local area’s energy requirements.
5. Apple Park – United States
Situated in Cupertino, California lay Apple’s headquarters. Apple’s campus is housed on 176 acres of land named ‘Apple Park.’ The tech giant’s HQ is Nicknamed the ‘Spaceship’ or ‘The Ring’ for its circular shape. “We’re building a new headquarters that will, I think, be the greenest building on the planet,” said Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. In fact, on the roof of ‘The Ring’ lies the world’s largest rooftop solar farm. In other words, the solar roof provides 75 percent of the HQ’s energy demand during peak times, which equates to 17 megawatts of power. The rest of the campus’s power needs are met by on-site fuel cells powered by biofuel or natural gas.
After the construction of this behemoth was all said and done, the bill amounted to almost $5 billion. Indeed, a company the size of Apple needs ample space to provide for its 12,000 employees. So, that’s what Apple did: the Spaceship sits four stories tall, providing 1.2 million square feet of office space. Furthermore, the park also consists of a few miles of walking and running trails, a gym, basketball courts, and a yoga studio for their employees. However, the most intricate detail of the entire campus is the earthquake isolation system underneath the structure. The isolation, made up of 692 stainless steel plates, provides stability to ‘The Ring’ by allowing the building to shift up to 4 feet in any direction during an earthquake.
6. Finolhu Villas – Maldives
Located just off the southwest tip of India, Maldives sits surrounded by the Indian Ocean. Set on a 13-acre island lie the Finolhu villas, the first 5-star resort powered by solar energy. As shown above, a dock connects an impressive solar power array stretching the entire pier’s length. Likewise, utility buildings around the island are also topped with solar. All in all, a total of 6500 square meters of solar panels can produce 1100 Kilowatts at power peak. The island at full occupancy only requires 600 Kilowatts at peak load, and excess energy gets stored for use on cloudy days.
The resort’s efforts towards sustainability continue beyond the solar panels. For instance, a desalination tank, an onsite waste management system, and a centralized chiller system to cool the villas using chilled water have been put in place alongside the solar panels. Yuji Yamazaki, the designer behind this masterpiece, used a minimalistic approach to impact the pristine environment as little as possible. He also designed each room with subtle modifications to preserve energy. For example, windows are strategically placed to invite ocean breezes while blocking the sun’s harsh rays. Owner ‘Champa’ Hussain Afeef, one of the pioneers of tourism in the Maldives, said, “We wanted to do something different. I believe renewable energy is not just the future for tourism but for all other industries as well.”
7. Planta Solar – Spain
This solar tower in Spain is the second of its kind. Ironically, this tower, the ‘PS20’, sits only a few hundred feet from the first model of its kind, the ‘PS10’. A solar power tower is a system that converts energy from the Sun – in the form of sunlight – into electricity that people can use using a large-scale solar setup. The setup includes an array of large, sun-tracking mirrors known as heliostats that focus sunlight on a receiver at the top of a tower. In this receiver, a fluid is heated and used to generate steam. This steam then powers a conventional turbine generator to generate electricity.
The second-generation tower (PS20) is a massive upgrade over the still-in-operation PS10. In particular, engineers improved the receiver, the control and operational systems, and the thermal energy storage. In other words, the PS20 tower produces twice the output of the PS10 tower. Instead of maxing out (PS10) capacity at 10 megawatts, the PS20 has a capacity of 20 megawatts with a yearly total of around 48.6 gigawatts per hour per year. As a result, the newest solar power tower in Sanlucar la Mayor, Spain, takes the trophy for Europe’s most prominent central receiver solar power plant. At last, the tower can provide 12,000 households with clean energy and prevent the emission of approximately 12,000 tons of CO2.
harnessing the power of the sun
Do you own a dragon-shaped stadium, an island resort, or a surgery center? If not, no worries. Solar energy is still within your grasp. Let’s see if your home qualifies. Take advantage of the sun’s power today!
