The Green Building Top 5 - September 16, 2015

Wavy solar panels inspired by Japanese kirigami collect 30% extra energy

If you’ve ever folded a piece of paper, cut an intricate design, and unfolded it into a snowflake, you are already familiar with the latest technological advances in solar energy. Using the Japanese art of kirigami, researchers at the University of Michigan have created lattice-like strips of solar cells that can stretch to follow the sun throughout the day, collecting up to 30 percent more solar energy than conventional panels. Read Full Article

We're getting closer to space-based solar panels that could beam unlimited energy to Earth

Some scientists think humans could get clean power collected from solar panels in space and beamed back down to Earth in our lifetime. Not only would the energy source be continuous, it would also be clean and unlimited. The only thing standing in the way is the astronomical cost. Read Full Article

Low-carbon cities are a $17 trillion opportunity

The disparate efforts of cities around the world to take climate action were amplified on the international stage late last year when more than 2,000 municipalities around the world signed the Compact of Mayors, which focuses on scaling up climate resilience efforts, energy efficiency programs, resilient financing mechanisms and public carbon emissions reporting. Read Full Article

The greenest roof at Harvard

Standing among the flowers and plants on the roof of Batten Hall on a recent August day is reminiscent of standing in a country meadow on a late summer afternoon. Petals flutter slightly in the wind and bees buzz from flower to flower seeking nectar. Many of the bees come from two beehives recently installed on the opposite corner of the roof. Just a floor above us, 436 solar panels are converting the intense summer sun into electricity that will be used to provide power to the Harvard Innovation Lab and modular, learning spaces (AKA “Hives”) clustered inside.Read Full Article

California Passes a Bill Targeting 50% Renewables by 2030

In the final hours of the legislative session, California lawmakers passed a landmark climate bill that will promote greater deployment of clean energy technologies over the next 15 years, but which some supporters say still fell short of expectations. Read Full Article