Eden goes solar
Published: 19 September 2005
One of the most sustainable buildings in the world, designed on nature's architecture and generating energy from daylight was launched today in a spectacular light show at the Eden Project in Cornwall. True to the Eden Project's principles, the new education and research facility, named 'The Core', is a superb example of sustainability utilising building integrated photovoltaics (PV).
Described by Tim Smit, Eden CEO as "the finest modern building in the world", The Core is the most geometrically complex roof structure into which Solarcentury has incorporated solar panels. The building's architecture follows the Fibonacci series; a unique pattern at the heart of nature that generates, for example, the spirals in snail's shells or the pattern of seeds in the head of a sunflower. In order to integrate the photovoltaics into the buildings unique form the panels were intricately faceted over a bespoke mounting structure constructed from a spiral of steel tubes. When viewed from above the panels spiral outward in a ring around the heart of the building, forming the shape of a flower with eleven individual petals.
Each petal of the flower uses a combination of Sharp 80W panels and Kyocera 40W panels, arranged in descending row lengths, extending from the centre of the building. At the centre of the Core the PV panels descend to a solar terrace, encircled by bespoke Romag 80W glass-glass laminates that outline the centre of the flower. The glass-glass laminates, mounted using bolt-through fittings, provide a canopy to protect the building's exterior timber helping to offset the costs of regular building materials.
Dan Davies, Director of Engineering, explained some of the problems Solarcentury overcame during the construction project: 'The Core's orientation was not ideal for solar energy generation due to partially north facing roof angles and potential shading problems from surrounding roof lights. To maximise generation we optimised the system's electrical design to improve the performance of the array, in addition to careful inverter selection and PV module interconnection.'
Despite the challenge of The Core's intricate design, the PV was fully installed within the projects build programme. Since connection to the grid, in mid August 2005, the PV system has generated over 5000kWh of energy, enough electricity to power two 3 bedroom homes for an entire year. Over 2 tonnes of CO2 emissions have therefore been prevented from entering our warming environment.
Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, the projects architect is enthusiastic about the building's future: "It is a very green building and one conducive to learning for both adults and children. If every building was designed like this, the world would be a better place."
Leader of Cornwall County Council David Whalley said: "With education as its prime purpose the new Core building will also fly the flag for Cornwall's knowledge-based economy aims, opening the eyes and minds of the thousands of young people who will use it every year."
Jeremy Leggett, Solarcentury CEO, said "The Core demonstrates that solar energy can be incorporated into virtually any building to provide renewable energy and help reduce carbon emissions. Educating young people in the benefits of solar and other renewables is key to achieving a truly sustainable future."
It is estimated that the system will generate 20,000kWh each year, enough electricity each year to light an average three-bedroom house for over 33 years. This will save over 9 tonnes of CO2 annually, which would take 12 trees 100 years to remove from the environment.
