If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right).
As we approach another MidWestern state of Solar Decathlon of 2011, the state of Illinois,University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Re_home design offers a better, more sustainable solution to the problem of Illinois’ natural disasters (averaging 8 tornadoes per year), through a rapid deployment strategy. UIUC’s Re_home drew from inspiration of Midwestern prairie style aesthetics, incorporating the modern warm and inviting materials and finishes. The canopy frames the front door, creating a covered portal to the home’s formal entrance. The master bedroom is located away from the public spaces, so to provide privacy and relaxation for the residents. A second bedroom is designed as a flexible space that may be used as a bedroom, office, or extra living space. The main living space has a large and open plan intended for flexibility and reinforcement of the concept of community interaction. The design of the kitchen maintains a visual connection with the home’s main living space. As we move outdoors, the extensive deck space around the home serves as an extension of the main living spaces and invites community interaction. Overhead shading devices aid in regulating temperature of some outdoor spaces throughout the day. Solar arrays on the roof of the home provide a renewable year round power source. Preinstalled prior to shipping, the panels fold flat against the roof for easy transport. These panels are raised to their optimal angle upon their arrival on-site, allowing the array to become operational and begin generating power. Combining innovative technology and smart design, the Re_home provides a sustainable and rapidly- deployable solution to the immediate and evolving needs of families in the aftermath of a natural disaster and serves as a vehicle for recovery and renewal efforts of the community. Here is Re_home design of University of Illinois of Urbana-Champaign–>
written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right).
As we direct our attention to MidWest portion of the Solar Decathlon 2011, Purdue University’s INhome design presents us with the blend of versatility, comfort, and innovation. The INhome harnesses the sun’s energy to generate electricity from an array of 8.5 kilowatt of PV, enabling the house to be net zero. It also utilizes passive shading technique to optimize house performance. For example, the South facing windows allow sunlight to enter the house during winter and the roof overhang provides the shade during summer. Inside the house, some special features are: the open floor plan (between living room, dining room, and family room) allows for ease of communication; vaulted ceiling enhances elegance and daytime lighting of the house from the windows (which also provides natural ventilation when outdoor weather condition permits open windows); the living/bio wall that is integrated with HVAC system to filter out contaminants in the air;centrally and conveniently located bathroom;fully equipped with cost effective and energy efficient appliances, kitchen is open and easily accessible for free flow of communication. The attached garage completes the MidWestern home owners’ need in dealing with extreme weather conditions in winter months. Let’s have a look at this design of comfort, versatility, and innovation—>
written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Homepage: sunisthefuture.net
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Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics:
If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right).
Now, let’s return to our report of Solar Decathlon of 2011. The SCI-Arc Caltech’s CHIP (Compact Hyper-Insulated Prototype) house is a net zero, solar powered home designed for LA area, that started with a platonic cube of 600 sq ft, but stretched/lengthened that gave it a N-S orientation. Then the nose of the South end descends to increase the roof’s sun exposure while in the North end of the building lifts to create a car port beneath the building (as though the North side reaches for the sky while the South side descends toward the ground). A unique feature of CHIP is its outsulation, such that its exterior insulation creates a continuous shell of insulation so to minimize thermal bridging through structural members and additional low cost coated skin, vinyl, wrapped around the building, providing a rainscreen that unifies the building into one form. Extending from South, East, and West faces of the building are ADA accessible ramps and terraces. Upon entering the house, one meets the kitchen with optimal work space and appliances carefully chosen for their performance and energy use monitored by a smart meter (to optimize its energy efficiency and cost). Another interesting feature of the CHIP house is its division of rooms based on level changes rather than compartmentalizing rooms by isolating spaces. Furniture are made from recycled nontoxic material. Solar array on the roof is the full generator for this project. Now, let’s take a good look at this unique design that may change our future generations’ view of what a home should look like.—>
written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right).
Now let’s take a look at a design of collaborative effort between New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, the Enjoy house. It challenges the traditional building design techniques and creates a new method of approaching high-performance energy efficiency homes. The Enjoy house is designed in multiple modules for prefabricated assembly, with precast insulated concrete panels comprised of the primary construction material of the house, allowing great deal of construction time on site ;it is disassembled for ease of transport and reassembled at the site of Solar Decathlon 2011. Plan of the house is based on universal design principle, with an open floor plan that provides access and ease of use for residents and guests throughout the building. The house is of single level, and its bathroom, kitchen, and corridor all containing ample space for wheel chair access. The roof inverted hip shape, with North facing site, is calibrated for optimal solar and rainwater collection. A band of clear story windows surrounding the base of the roof creates the illusion of the heavy concrete roof floating on air. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are consolidated within the central core, around which the house is organized. Without further ado, let’s have a look at this Enjoy house–>
written and posted by sunissthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Please allow this momentary interruption of our report/special series on Solar Decathlon of 2011. I am bringing you some wonderful update/news associated with our effort in petition drive for Renewable Energy and Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program for planet earth:
I. If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right).
III.For those of you who have been curious, our latest from Google Analytics: since the beginning ofSun Is The Future (Feb. 1, 2011), up to this point in time(August 27, 2011), we have readers from93 countries, 1031 cities, 18 subcontinent regions, and 6 continents. Thank you for your support and I hope more of you will be signing the petition and spread the words forhttp://sunisthefuture.netand the petition drive. Let’s work together in moving our planet earth toward the Renewable Energy Age.
We will return to our presentation on Solar Decathlon of 2011in the next episode here at Sun Is The Future.
written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right).
In this particular walkthrough of the design of Team China-Tongji University’s Y-Container design that contains the future occurs in three steps, using disposed containers from the docks that can be easily transported: Transform, Add Components, Add Deck. Basically Y Container is composed of three concepts: 1. Container of Energy: using the PV panels to capture solar radiation-> turn/ transform solar radiation into electricity->using this electricity to power the appliance inside the Y-Container 2. Container of Views: a visual angle of 120 degrees provides varied views of exterior landscape 3. Container of Water: the deck collects and filters the rainwater for domestic use. Some of its features include: the flowing space (with movable walls) changes with the Murphy bed; triangular module and the sliding door with multifunctional space makes life much more flexible;intelligent control panel;roof ventilation valve controller with roof ventilation windows. This design of Y-Container truly contains the simplicity, flexibility, and reusability (both in man-made material from the dock and what is provided to us through Mother nature, the rainwater). Now, let’s take a look at this design while enjoying its beautiful background music –>
written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right).
For this episode of Solar Decathlon of 2011, let’s take you through the Living Light House of University of Tennessee of Knoxville. Living Light House is a zero energy dwelling, integrating technology seamlessly into the design without the visual clutter of the information age. Volume and light are key features of this design. The floor plan frames the open living space into two quarters of public and private areas. The North and South facades provide excellent natural lighting and have operable dual layering windows with motorized sun-shading blinds mounted between panels. The public quarter includes kitchen appliances and can be completely concealed from the public view. This open living space with adaptable furniture can accommodate great variety of household activities. For example, the exterior table can be moved indoor to seat more people; the entertainment center can be used as a desk or a foot-board;the bed can be concealed or pulled out depending on whether it is needed. The private quarter contains bathroom and bedroom elements. Design of Living Light House intends to leave a small footprint;this is seen in its slightly upon the ground construction, its extensive use of local wood in interior and exterior finish to reduce environmental impact, and the fact that the house is a prefabricated module that can be easily transported to site via trailer (so to reduce energy consumption by eliminating reconstruction of the structure at the site). The house has adaptable use of its mechanical system for different seasons and it also takes advantage of its natural ventilation. The rooftop provides both shade and energy for the house because the tubular structure of array has integrated PV system for absorbing solar energy and the white roof of the house reflects light back into the array for additional energy. Indoor thermal comfort is preserved by well insulated elements. Dual layer windows with additional barrier provides additional insulation and cross ventilation when the interior layer is opened. There are two miniature ductless heating units, available when additional heating is needed. The overall design of the Living Light House functions to adapt to nature and its occupants while integrating a simple design principle and observing the need for energy efficiency so to reduce energy dependence on depleting resources. Now let’s have a look of the Living Light House of University of Tennessee—>
written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right).
For this particular design of fusion between the traditional and modern, tutl (Technological Residence Traditional Living), Team Canada’s entry is inspired by the Treaty 7 Nations of Southern Alberta, where the sun has always been an important source of power of all things. All things are living, including the home (which is connected to all things as part of a greater natural order). This order has been disturbed in recent years by overcrowdedness and by incidences of fire and molds. With the rising cost of energy, Team Canada’s trtl creates a home that is efficient, affordable, healthy, and in harmony with the sun. Some of the observance of traditional design features: Eastern facing entrance paying homage to sunrise, South facing windows provides natural light and valuable heat gain during winter months. Its unique curved form minimizes visual impact upon the landscape, displaying the concept of being in harmony with nature. The building envelope consists of structurally insulated panels (or SIPS) mounted to a steel sub-structure. The magnesium compounds enable the design to be extremely durable and highly resistant to fire and mold. PV panels covering the south roof and converting sunlight into electricity. The roof angles ensure the 9.4 kilowatt system operates within 93% efficiency and the energy use and cost have been optimized. The finishing materials of this home are local and natural, reflecting its historical and cultural tie to the land. The kitchen and living/social space are integrated and square corners are minimized to foster positive spiritual energy. The home’s mechanical system is simple, with a highly efficient air source heat pump as the main component. This 1000 sq. ft. home is designed for a young family, with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and ample space for entertainment and storage. Here we have the clip for trtl of Team Canada—>
written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right).
As we draw our attention toward Solar Decathlon’s urban design, we can see that Team New York (composed of a group of architecture and engineering students and faculty of City College of New York)’s Solar Roofpod, making use of the underutilized urban rooftops to benefit the host building below by either delivering the excess energy it generates to the host building or by lowering the temperature of the roof on sunny days. The Solar Roofpod is designed in three easily installed components: the Dunnage Garden, the Envelope, and the Trellis. The Roofpod design also collects and reuses rainwater to irrigate the plants. The Envelope portion of the design consists of sixteen modular framing blocks allowing users some flexibility and creativity with the design. The Cladding system of the Solar Roofpod utilizes several smart technology glazing systems, in addition to offering options such as redirecting glass, shaded glass, ventilated windows, and bird proof technology in providing a sustainable future for the city of New York. The Core is a compact unit that houses the living room, the kitchen, the bathroom, mechancial and bedroom space;it opens up and closes depending on its timely needed function. The Trellis contains the solar panels and thermal tubes mounted on top of the house. By using the micro-inverters, Team New York will be able to maximize the accessible/available energy for the house during time when solar energy is not as readily available or when solar panel(s) may be malfunctioning. Instead of having the typical PV panels generating electricity and using this generated electricity to run the heating and cooling system of the house, Roofpod uses hot water to run their system, therefore reducing the carbon foot print of their system/design. I take my hat off to this group of people who are making good use the urban reality of the 1.6 billion sq. ft. of rooftop space. Now let’s take a look at the design of Team New York’s (of New York City College) Solar Roofpod—>
written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right).
Now, let’s take a look at an intriguing design by the University of Hawaii in Solar Decathlon 2011, hale pilihonua: hale (a built structure), pili (connection, to connect), honua (earth and land), the name of the house suggests the connection between the home and nature: in the Hawaiian poetic, a house is like a gourd that holds the necessity of life. What we do in the ocean affects the land, what we do on the land affects the ocean. The design of the house is also deeply connected with the land through the element of the sun, wind, and water. This connection promotes sustainability because the house functions in harmony with naturally available resources. On the exterior there is 3-dimensional organic PV louvre panel array, farther in is the fiber reinforced plastic skin covering elliptically shaped shell structure/cross section. The shell undulates from one end to the next, creating a space in the underbelly for mechanical equipments and interesting interior space by changing the height of the ceiling from one end of the house to the next. There is the aerogel insulation (the lightest solid known to men that is 99.9% air, with an R value of 13 per inch.)Aerogel
A flower is on a piece of aerogel which is suspended over a bunsen burner (Wikimedia Commons)
is a manufactured material derived from a gel in which the liquid component of the gel has been replaced with a gas. The result is an extremely low-density solid, with a notable effectiveness as a thermal insulator. It is nicknamed frozen smoke, solid smoke, solid air or blue smoke due to its translucent nature and the way light scatters in the material; however, it feels like expanded polystyrene (styrofoam) to the touch (compliment of wikipedia). With a budget of $250,00 limit, the design is broken up into six shell modules, individually assembled and connected at the site. Followed by installing the PV modules. This marriage between the PV and solar thermal allows hale pilihonua to balance its energy with what has taken from the land. Now, please enjoy this contribution to the future of design from Hawaii–>
written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamamer, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
