The Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems is a public-private partnership focused on green building R&D and its $41 million LEED Platinum certified headquarters building was just dedicated this month. The center is currently testing a unique integrated concentrating dynamic solar window system on its south wall. The prototype system has 64 pyramid modules in an 8-foot square. Each module rotates, its lenses tracking the sun, focusing light onto solar cells. Water behind the solar cells cools them, which has the added benefit of creating hot water that can be used for radiant heating.
The cost must be pretty high since CASE didn't share the system's price with the press, but a prototype this beautiful seems like it's as much art as it is a functional power source. If the test wall can squeeze energy out of Syracuse's wintry sky then it might be well worth the investment.
Photos: Solar concentrators in a wall at the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems. Credit: HeliOptix.
Tags: Architecture, Buildings and Structures, Green Building, Green Tech, Solar Power
comments ( )