Solar powered home

[Andrea]

We had a post last month about a rotating wind turbine home, now there's a solar powered equivalent.

"Project engineers say the Dh400 million Time Residences tower in the City of Arabia master development will turn through 360 degrees, its rotation mechanism driven by stored solar energy. The project, which will put 200 apartments onto the market, is another addition to Dubai's list of world exclusives which will include the world's tallest tower, biggest mall and largest man-made island - even a collection of dozens of man-made islands dubbed The World."

http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles.../10086170.html

I wonder how much energy it produces? It would be nice if the homes really were self sufficient rather than the solar panels being merely for show.

[Series2]

As I read it, the solar panels will only collect enough energy to turn the building (360 degrees in a week). The residents will get a change of view, but that's all - the building won't be self-sufficient.

Originally Posted by Series2

As I read it, the solar panels will only collect enough energy to turn the building (360 degrees in a week). The residents will get a change of view, but that's all - the building won't be self-sufficient.

Bit pointless really isn't it? I suppose Dubai does have a reputation for being ostentatious though.

[blackfoxtrade]

Well, Dubai is an oil country.
This is just to show off, they aren't really doing anything for the environment. Except maybe when they buy solar panels, they will have to pay a nice $ for the panel company, which should make solar panels cheaper in the future since more are being made... economies of scale.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Rog

Bit pointless really isn't it? I suppose Dubai does have a reputation for being ostentatious though.

Well on the plus side I'm willing to bet that quite a lot of engineering knowledge and experience will be gained w.r.t. use of solar panels so there will be some transferable benefits.

[mellow_hendrix]

Rotating skyscapers, for the sake of capturing more sunlight, is so plebian and low-tech. The truly rich build skyscrapers that revolve around the earth, so they're constantly in sunlight.

Originally Posted by mellow_hendrix

Rotating skyscapers, for the sake of capturing more sunlight, is so plebian and low-tech. The truly rich build skyscrapers that revolve around the earth, so they're constantly in sunlight.

I get the feeling that you are going to be the first of a long line of people missing the point, so I thought I'd jump in here... As I understand it, the tower doesn't rotate in order to get more sunlight; it rotates because rotating a building is a cool thing to do. Constantly changing views and all that...

The solar power part is a way to do this without condeming the tennants to a lifetime of mad energy bills.

[seven]

I hope it rotates only 180 degrees (or less) then rotates back. Rigging plumbing, sewage, power, cable, phone, etc for full 360 degree rotation will be tricky.