Innovative Solar-powered Houses

After the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster, people of many nations are fed up with nuclear energy and are turning to renewable energy sources for their homes. Solar houses are no longer a thing of fiction.

Every year, Europe Solar Decathlon Design Competition, a counterpart to the U.S.-based Solar Decathlon, challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses. The best designed solar-powered house is evaluated for its cost-effectiveness, energy-efficiency, and aesthetic beauty while providing functions related to comfort of modern living and absence of harmful impact of fossil fuels dependence.

One of the most stunning designs of 2010 solar homes is the FABLAB house built by the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia from Spain. This unique curvature-shaped wooden abode stands on three legs and has space underneath for a shaded patio. With a spacious interior, FABLAB contains a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a livingroom, while using smart energy and temperature-monitoring systems as well as a rainwater collection system on its roof.

The Japanese government is also promoting renewable energy sources for homes in the near future. By 2014, a group of companies recently announced the eco project - Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town - a development of 1000 homes based on smart energy integration and smart grid system.

Located 50km west of Tokyo, the entire town will act as a single energy system - using Panasonic's "entire solutions" technology to reduce energy, produce solar electricity and use battery storage at each home. Every household will manage and balance the energy needed for the occupants. Communication systems and electrical transportation will be integrated as well as other shared community resources - all linked to a central square displaying the town's real time energy status.

The eco town is aiming to reduce CO2 by 70% from the 1990 baseline.





 
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