Al Huber Construction Company is a well known name in the city of Kansas has sought to renovate their headquarters, with several phases of sustainable initiatives that includes the installation of photovoltaic panels and wind turbines. The company has called on El Dorado Architects to complete the fabrication along the south side of the building.
The project, termed as Renewable Energy Demonstrative Initiative or REDI, will feature a 24-panel photovoltaic system installed on the south side of the building. A public energy center will also be opened in the office premises with the purpose of illustrating energy consumption and production using alternative energy sources.
The vertical-axis wind turbine, mounted on a pole, is the first of its kind in entire United States. This turbine provides a slow turn rate that minimize the noise pollution. Data and speed of these wind turbines will be collected, that will be later used to educate people on utilizing alternative sources of energy.
In the same premises, installation and monitoring of a variety of solar photovoltaic panels will provide education and demonstration of different technologies to common people and to those companies which are worried about future of energy on the planet. In the first phase, the 24 photovoltaic panel system have been installed.
Each panel is expected to generate 230 watts. These panels are supposed to be the most efficient panels of the world. These panels are installed in such a way that serve as awnings over the existing windows which create a sun shield effect. On the sides of building, 100 years old Douglas Fir wood has been installed. The purpose behind this installation is to shield the building from the intense heat of sun. The entrance of the building is adorned by a green screen system that allows plants to grow which create shade for visitors.
Via: Andrew Stephens
