Olympic Village
SDA provided design and engineering support to the Olympic Village architects and construction managers to integrate a large-scale solar electric system into the design of the new swimming complex for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. The new Natatorium on Georgia Institute of Technology's campus in Atlanta features a 340 kilo-Watt (kW) PV system on the main roof and a special arched glass PV canopy at the entrance to the complex.

Natatorium for 1996 Summer Olympic Games, Atlanta, Georgia Architects: Roger Preston & Partners and Rosser Fabrap International

The roof-top PV system (upper photo) employs 2,832 120-Watt (Wp) PV modules mounted above the steel roof deck to facilitate the free flow of cooling air below the array. A central 350 kW DC-to-AC inverter feeds 3-phase power into the campus utility grid. With an area of some 32,750 square feet, the PV array is the largest system of its kind in the world.

The entry canopy (lower photo) features special large-area 250 Wp PV modules with a clear backskin to allow light transmission between the individual solar cells. The PV modules are integrated in a custom-designed arched aluminum support structure fabricated by Kawneer. The modules form the finished weathering skin of the canopy and deliver 60Hz AC power directly to the complex.

Environmental Laboratory
The new Center for Environmental Sciences and Technology Management at the State University of New York in Albany combines research laboratories, a business "incubator" for technology transfer, and the National Weather Service forecasting office for the Albany region.

State University of New York at Albany Center for Environmental Sciences and Technology Management Architects: Cannon

SDA provided engineering, design and integration services to support the architects and landscape architects in developing an energy-conscious design strategy for the complex which included the integration of solar electric systems into the building and the project site.

The building incorporates 15 kWp of custom PV modules in building-integrated sunshades which support the PV modules while reducing cooling loads and glare. A detail of the PV sunshade mounting and facade integration is shown in the insert at right.

The project also features 5 kWp of PV modules as landscape elements in a park area to the south of the building. Both systems are utility interactive and all PV modules feature integral micro power inverters.

Discovery Science Center Solar Cube
This 12-story high, custom-designed, black-anodized, geodesic space-frame standing 135-feet tall on one vertex, captures public interest with a highly-visible public display of the science center's interest in renewable energy.

The Solar Cube is a good example of SDA's custom architectural integration. The firm was responsible for the entire project on a turn-key basis from design and engineering to approvals, procurement, construction and commissioning.

Discovery Science Center Cube Santa Ana, California Architects: Arquitectonica

Over 4,000 square feet of BP Solarex Millennia modules cover the cube's entire south face which is tilted at 50º for maximum visual impact. The thin-film modules serve as an architectural glazing element, replacing a 'conventional' glass skin. The solar array produces 20 kWp of DC electricity at mid-day and delivers 30,000 kWh annually.

The solar energy system is connected to the Discovery Center's main utility service. Whenever the solar array produces electricity, it is fed into the Science Center, displacing conventional utility power. When the solar system produces more electricity than the Science Center needs, the excess electricity can be "exported" to the utility.

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