Researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of technology in Zurich have created ultra-thin roofs that can generate electricity. It features an unusual construction is a solid reinforced concrete structure, which looks like billowing foam of a wave. And she is incredibly beautiful.
The prototype roof is ready, but it will test only next year, when they finish the experimental residential building in HiLo. The building has a height of 7.5 m and a total area of 160 sq. m. due to the strongly curved shape. This is both protection of the building from the weather, and the solar power plant – the entire outer surface of the roof covered with photovoltaic panels.
The main achievement of the Swiss – development of algorithm for application of concrete to obtain arbitrary curved, but a balanced shape. The basis of design is a system of steel cables with a precisely calculated tension force, which are upholstered in polymer cloth. And it is a sprayed concrete layer thickness of from 3 to 12 see the authors of the project say that they can build on this technology, the roof virtually any form.
Data on the capacity of energy generation yet, but calculations show that in good weather, the building will produce more electricity than you consume. And its roof was much cheaper than the designer counterparts, plus much more beautiful the model building structures. A project for those who want to live comfortably and not pay for it.
Source — ETHZ