Eco Factor: Sustainable house to be powered by solar and geothermal energy.
Sustainable architecture and sustainable housing are new names in urban residential complexes. Spanish design firm DesiƱo Earle has designed a new solar house that could take sustainability to a new level. Known as the āEco House,ā the house is a modern eco-villa with all the amenities for futuristic green living.
To keep the design of the house green yet trendy, architects have figured out a great way to generate solar electricity without sacrificing the overall aesthetics of the design. Solar panels are of course placed on the top of the roof, but here they are placed on a secondary ceiling that is located at a steep 45 degree gradient. This angular arrangement not only conceals the solar panels from view, but also ensures that they do get the maximum amount of sunlight.
The secondary roof is constructed over the main roof, which helps air to pass in between both levels, further reducing the amount of energy needed to keep the interiors cool during the day. It also has an adjustable louver wall system that captures heat during the day and retains the warmth by night. A rainwater reclamation system will be installed and gray water will be recycled from holding tanks situated in the basement. During overcast days the house will get energy from a geothermal generator, which will act as a backup if the solar panels fail to generate enough energy for the house.
The Dark Side:
Geothermal energy cannot be harnessed all over the globe. Conventional grid electricity can serve as a more practical backup mechanism instead of a system that doesnāt work.
Via: iGreenSpot
