Solar Ark
Encyclopedia
The Solar Ark is one of the most famous solar buildings
. It is an ark-shaped solar photovoltaic power generation facility which offers activities to cultivate a better appreciation of solar power
generation, and thereby benefitting both ecology and science. This 315-meter-wide, 37-meter-tall facility is located in Anpachi
, Gifu Prefecture
, in the geographical center of Japan
, and can be seen from the JR Tōkaidō bullet train, which runs past on an adjacent railway track. It has over 5000 panels that produce approximately 530,000 Kilowatts/hour on an annual basis and the maximum system power is 630 Kilowatts.
Stationed at the center of the Solar Ark is the Solar Lab, a museum
of solar energy and one of the more unusual museums in the world. A unique, hands-on, outdoor light exhibition was planned for opening in 2005, for the first time in Japan.
The Solar Ark is an enterprise partner with the 2005 World Exhibition, Aichi Prefecture
, Japan. It's one of the largest solar buildings in the world.
Electric Co. Its development was accidental among other things. Initially, Sanyo Electric had intended to create the largest photovoltaic system in the world, with a 3.4 Megawatt output, to mark the organisation's 50th anniversary. By 1998, designers had already been in discussions about the Solar Ark’s appearance. Sanyo had planned on using cutting edge solar technology available to them at the time, using a combination of crystal silicon and thin-film amorphous silicon with 14-15% efficiency. However during the initial planning, Sanyo had to recall several monocrystalline cells, which were the predecessors of the hybrid technology mentioned before, due to insufficient output.
Sanyo Electric Co. still decided to go ahead the Solar Ark’s construction; however, instead of using the previously planned technology, Sanyo instead, used the recalled monocrystalline cells. Sanyo says “We have done this to show our sincere regret that this problem has occurred and to express our willingness and determination to both remember what happened and how important it is to maintain quality.” Construction was completed in December 2001.
The weight of the actual body of the ark (pillars being excluded) is 3,000 metric tonnes and is constructed from structural steel, which is about two times stronger than normal steel and is comparatively thin to steel. This construction material helps give the impression of the solar ark being suspended in the air. Each column is 2 metres in diameter and 31 meters in length and is solar ark is 315 metres long. The entire Solar Ark chassis is supported by four “G-Columns” which are custom built pillars by Kubota
and in total, these pillars weigh approximately 5,000 tonnes. These high-quality pillars are homogenous, due to the seamless method of construction that utilizes centrifugal force. Due to the Solar Arks sturdy building materials, the Ark is able to resist winds of up to 34 meters/second and level 7 earthquakes on the Japanese scale.
The ark is surrounded by 5 meter high water fountains and two ponds, each having their own cascade. The entrance to the solar ark has solar wings which are composed of HIT solar cells that generate electricity on the topside and underside while also functioning as awnings that allow sunlight to filter through. Between the individual solar panels, there are, in total, 75, 000 red, green and blue computer controlled LEDs
which are activated at night to produce images and words across the ark.
simulator, an adventure wall, an artistic approach to the sun, a solar library and a control deck, where visitors can view real time data related to the power being generated by the Solar Ark.
Good Design Award 2002 Architecture and Environment Design/Architecture Design
The 5th 'Renewing Your Hometown' 21st Century Fine Art Awards (Honorable Mention)
The 12th 'Facilities that Publicize Energy' Award (Exhibition Category)
The 12th Advertising Contest on the Environment, Grand Prix of Environment Advertising Award (Presented by State Minister for the Environment)
The 2nd Environment and Facility Prize, Outstanding Performance Award (Environmental Design Category)
Energy Publicity Center Award for PR Activity', the 14th Director-General of the Natural Energy Agency Award, 2004
. It is an ark-shaped solar photovoltaic power generation facility which offers activities to cultivate a better appreciation of solar power
Solar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
generation, and thereby benefitting both ecology and science. This 315-meter-wide, 37-meter-tall facility is located in Anpachi
Anpachi, Gifu
is a town located in the Anpachi District, Gifu, Japan.As of July 2011, the town has an estimated population of 15,274. The total area of the town is 18.19 km². The Solar Ark, an over 300m long photovoltaic power generation facility is located in the town....
, Gifu Prefecture
Gifu Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Chūbu region of central Japan. Its capital is the city of Gifu.Located in the center of Japan, it has long played an important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through such routes as the Nakasendō...
, in the geographical center of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and can be seen from the JR Tōkaidō bullet train, which runs past on an adjacent railway track. It has over 5000 panels that produce approximately 530,000 Kilowatts/hour on an annual basis and the maximum system power is 630 Kilowatts.
Stationed at the center of the Solar Ark is the Solar Lab, a museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
of solar energy and one of the more unusual museums in the world. A unique, hands-on, outdoor light exhibition was planned for opening in 2005, for the first time in Japan.
The Solar Ark is an enterprise partner with the 2005 World Exhibition, Aichi Prefecture
Aichi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region. The region of Aichi is also known as the Tōkai region. The capital is Nagoya. It is the focus of the Chūkyō Metropolitan Area.- History :...
, Japan. It's one of the largest solar buildings in the world.
History
The Solar Ark was constructed by a major electronics company called SanyoSanyo
is a major electronics company and member of the Fortune 500 whose headquarters is located in Moriguchi, Osaka prefecture, Japan. Sanyo targets the middle of the market and has over 230 Subsidiaries and Affiliates....
Electric Co. Its development was accidental among other things. Initially, Sanyo Electric had intended to create the largest photovoltaic system in the world, with a 3.4 Megawatt output, to mark the organisation's 50th anniversary. By 1998, designers had already been in discussions about the Solar Ark’s appearance. Sanyo had planned on using cutting edge solar technology available to them at the time, using a combination of crystal silicon and thin-film amorphous silicon with 14-15% efficiency. However during the initial planning, Sanyo had to recall several monocrystalline cells, which were the predecessors of the hybrid technology mentioned before, due to insufficient output.
Sanyo Electric Co. still decided to go ahead the Solar Ark’s construction; however, instead of using the previously planned technology, Sanyo instead, used the recalled monocrystalline cells. Sanyo says “We have done this to show our sincere regret that this problem has occurred and to express our willingness and determination to both remember what happened and how important it is to maintain quality.” Construction was completed in December 2001.
Design
The Solar Arks design was inspired by the vision of an ark embarking on a journey to the 21st century. This idea led to the Solar Ark’s size and overall symbolic shape of being an example of producing clean energy. In total, the construction area for the Solar Ark is 3294.48 m2 Reinforced concrete was used for the base of the construction. From one end of the ark to the other, the total length of the solar ark is 315 metres. The ark is 31.6 metres tall from the centre of the structure. There are 5,046 solar panels in total, installed on the solar ark. Twelve single-crystal silicon solar cell modules per unit were assembled on the ground, and 470 units were lifted up and attached to the main body of the Solar Ark.The weight of the actual body of the ark (pillars being excluded) is 3,000 metric tonnes and is constructed from structural steel, which is about two times stronger than normal steel and is comparatively thin to steel. This construction material helps give the impression of the solar ark being suspended in the air. Each column is 2 metres in diameter and 31 meters in length and is solar ark is 315 metres long. The entire Solar Ark chassis is supported by four “G-Columns” which are custom built pillars by Kubota
Kubota
, is a tractor and heavy equipment manufacturer based in Osaka, Japan. One of its notable contributions was to the construction of the Solar Ark. The company was established in 1890.The company produces many products including:...
and in total, these pillars weigh approximately 5,000 tonnes. These high-quality pillars are homogenous, due to the seamless method of construction that utilizes centrifugal force. Due to the Solar Arks sturdy building materials, the Ark is able to resist winds of up to 34 meters/second and level 7 earthquakes on the Japanese scale.
The ark is surrounded by 5 meter high water fountains and two ponds, each having their own cascade. The entrance to the solar ark has solar wings which are composed of HIT solar cells that generate electricity on the topside and underside while also functioning as awnings that allow sunlight to filter through. Between the individual solar panels, there are, in total, 75, 000 red, green and blue computer controlled LEDs
LEDS
LEDS can be initials for:* Law Enforcement Data System* Link Eleven Display System* Low Energy Dislocation Structure* Land Electronic Defence System * LEDs * Life-Events and Difficulties Schedule...
which are activated at night to produce images and words across the ark.
Museum
The Solar Energy Museum is structurally separate from the Solar Ark itself. It is officially called the solar lab. It is a museum and exhibition centre that mostly provides information about solar energy. There are several exhibitions, workshops and science classes held at the solar lab, which are primarily aimed at the younger generations, to help them become more aware of the photovoltaic science and how it impacts the world. The solar lab is divided into ten zones that provide a wide range of activities for visitors. Some of these activities include, a solar systemSolar System
The Solar System consists of the Sun and the astronomical objects gravitationally bound in orbit around it, all of which formed from the collapse of a giant molecular cloud approximately 4.6 billion years ago. The vast majority of the system's mass is in the Sun...
simulator, an adventure wall, an artistic approach to the sun, a solar library and a control deck, where visitors can view real time data related to the power being generated by the Solar Ark.
Awards
The Solar Ark has received several awards and notable achievements during its operation.Good Design Award 2002 Architecture and Environment Design/Architecture Design
The 5th 'Renewing Your Hometown' 21st Century Fine Art Awards (Honorable Mention)
The 12th 'Facilities that Publicize Energy' Award (Exhibition Category)
The 12th Advertising Contest on the Environment, Grand Prix of Environment Advertising Award (Presented by State Minister for the Environment)
The 2nd Environment and Facility Prize, Outstanding Performance Award (Environmental Design Category)
Energy Publicity Center Award for PR Activity', the 14th Director-General of the Natural Energy Agency Award, 2004
External links
- Solar Ark - official site from Sanyo, includes Solar Energy Museum
- Pictures of the Solar Ark
- Some pictures of the Solar Ark
- http://www.metaefficient.com/architecture-and-building/the-solar-ark-a-unique-solar-building-in-japan.html - "The Solar Ark: A Unique Solar Building In Japan", Metaefficient.com, April 28, 2007
- http://inventorspot.com/articles/sanyos_solar_ark_combines_practi_9758 - A site that gives some nice pictures of the Ark and some additional detail.
- http://solar.sanyo.com/ - The official Sanyo site
- http://www.ife.no/departments/solar_energy/projects/Nordic-coe-pv-details/presentations_narvik/lode_carnel.pdf - An article by Sanyo covering the HIT solar panels
- http://panasonic.net/sanyo/solarark/en/about/spec.html - Solar Ark, architecture specifications