Photovoltaic Systems

Archive for May, 2011

Treehugger‘s Great Prefab Debate is set for today at 3:30 p.m. EDT, so bookmark this page and come back. You can watch live and submit comments. This will be an old fashioned debate for the resolution that “prefabrication is a greener way to build.” Michelle Kaufmann, Michelle Kaufmann Studio, will speak for the resolution, and Chad Ludeman, Postgreen Homes, will speak in opposition. Then there will be questions, conclusions, judges remarks, and some final wrap up for audience voting.

Meanwhile, feel free to browse our extensive green prefab archives to brush up; and here’s the original article by Chad that opened this discussion.

Update – you can catch the debate above, cast your vote on Treehugger.

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If you want to use wood in an exterior application, your options are wider than ever. While durable tropical hardwoods have been decimated by unsustainable logging, there are several methods of preserving wood that produce even more durable and sustainable products. These are not woods infused with toxic chemicals or metal compounds that can leach out. Rather these woods are transformed to be more durable and decay resistant.

Accoya is a treated wood that begins with sustainably sourced softwood such as pine and treats it with a process which makes it an extremely durable and long-lasting wood, even for exterior exposure uses such as siding and decking. Accoya has even been used in a bridge over a highway.

The process used to manufacture Accoya is known as “acetylization.” It uses acetic acid (essentially just strong vinegar) to transform the structure of the wood itself. “The process essentially alters the actual cell structure of wood by transforming free hydroxyl groups into acetyl groups.” This is the part of wood that swells and shrinks with changes in moisture levels, so Accoya is more dimensionally stable than either untreated or conventionally pressure-treated wood.

As the company points out, the process “is entirely non-toxic and introduces no chemicals not already found in the wood.” Like Kebony, another alternative treatment, the wood is highly durable, suited for long-term exposure, and can be cut and worked without needing any additional safety precautions other than those normally used when working with wood.

Accoya offcuts and waste materials can even be ordinarily disposed of or even composted. Plus, Accoya has received a Cradle to Cradle(SM) Gold Certificate for sustainability.

Acetylization modifies the wood all the way through. This means that Accoya can be cut, worked, and shaped without compromising its protection. It’s warranted to last for at least 50 years in above-ground applications and at least 25 years in below-grade or freshwater exposure. Accoya can be used for window and door frames, siding, decking, and even outdoor furniture.

At present, the manufacturing of Accoya is done in Europe, so the transportation of the material makes it less than ideal for North American projects. It’s also more expensive than conventionally treated wood. But the long term savings from not having to maintain and eventually replace the material as frequently can mean it is more cost effective, though the up-front costs may be higher.

[+] More info on high technology Accoya wood.

Credits: Accsys Technologies PLC.

Related Articles on JetsonGreen.com:

1. Kebonization Process Creates an Alternative to Tropical Hardwoods
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Encino-based Cyber-Rain, maker of what the company calls a “sprinkler controller with a brain,” recently introduced a new feature that gives users the ability to monitor and control landscape watering from the cloud.  The Cyber-Rain controller works similar to, for example, a Rainbird or Orbit system, except an owner can control sprinklers, manually run valves, and check watering activity from a computer or through a free iPhone app.

In other words, instead of adjusting the watering schedule at the controller, an owner simply fires up the app and tells it what to do.  Through the internet-enabled device, one could set a specific, zone-by-zone water schedule or use the Cyber-Rain Smart Sprinkling Wizard to get a custom watering schedule.

Cyber-Rain checks humidity, temperature, and weather forecasts and automatically adjusts watering based on that information.  This smart feature enables more efficient use of water and up to 30-70% savings on landscape watering, according to Cyber-Rain.  Plus, there’s no monthly fee for the weather data.

For users looking to be more precise, Cyber-Rain works with dry contact, two-wire interface rain sensors.  Rain sensors override weather forecast information when installed.  Also, certain models also work with flow sensors that can determine if something is wrong in the system.

Although PC-based models are offered online at Amazon.com, Cyber-Rain sells the cloud system with the basic 8-zone XCI Controller for $499.00 and the 8-zone XCI Pro Controller for $725.00.  It’s pricey, but, depending on individual factors, an owner could pay for the system in water savings over a year or two.

[+] More info on the cloud-based Cyber-Rain controller.

Credits: Cyber-Rain.

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Design site Core77 recently noticed a new solar product called Tensile Solar from Brooklyn-based SMIT, the same group behind GROW or Solar Ivy.  Tensile Solar is a lightweight, membrane fabric embedded with flexible solar cells that could be used to provide shade, protection from the rain, and power from the sun.

Tensile Solar is customizable and modular — if a cell goes bad, that cell could be replaced without affecting the entire system.  And the system would work with all manner of solar technologies, whether solar PV, amorphous silicon, or CIGS, according to Core77.

The trick may be in figuring out how to transfer energy from the fabric to the person that would use that energy.  A car port could power a plug-in Leaf.  A beach umbrella could charge a Nook or iPhone.  A canopy could power music for a backyard barbecue.

Tensile Solar reminds me of a free span solar structure by Tensol Power, but this design appears to be less cumbersome, or not so heavy duty.  Tensile Solar could be applied to a lot of things: umbrellas, tents, awnings, car ports, canopies, pavilions, etc.

Credits: Tensile Solar.

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