The largest transparent polymer or plastic covered structure in the Southern Hemisphere was recently completed at the Forsyth Barr stadium, in Dunedin New Zealand. The clear ethylene tetrafluoroethylene material was originally developed by the space industry. The 7.7 acre clear roof allows grass to grow inside the enclosed arena while protecting the fans from the […]
With temperatures here in Dallas over 105 and the heat index of 110, roofing crews and contractors are having a hard time staying cool. At the beginning of August central Texas has already had over 30 consecutive days of over 100 degrees with no relief in sight. Some contractors are asking homeowners to postpone repairs […]
Researchers show much of the damage from tornadoes comes from homes not being secured together adequately. If you focus on windows and doors, and tie your truss into roof rafters and anchor the roof to the walls with metal clips and straps and then securely anchor your walls to the foundation; your home should be […]
NASA is nearing completion on its $20 million Sustainability Base. The futuristic building is at NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley at Moffett Field, California. The base is due to be completed in July 2011. The federal government is touting the building as its greenest building of the year. Compared to similar sized office […]
A recent trend in NYC has developers and homeowner’s alike turning wasted rooftop spaces into living green roofs. The roofs are a system of waterproof membranes partially or completely covered with plants, tree’s or grasses. One of the most popular rooftop plants is sedum, known for its absorbent leaves and hardy nature. Green roofs lower […]
IKEA, the large Swedish furniture company, recently announced its plans to install 4,452 solar panels on the roof of one of their stores in West Chester, Ohio. The 344,000 square foot store is expected to produce 1.3 million kilowatt hours per year. IKEA plans on adding solar panels to 5 other U.S. locations, including 3 […]
Toys R Us and Constellation Energy are planning to build the world’s second largest rooftop solar array. The plan is to install more than 37,000 photovoltaic solar panels on their distribution center in Flanders, New Jersey. The solar power system will be built, owned and maintained by Constellation Energy. Toys R Us has agreed to […]
Roof top solar panels may be better for the environment than the large solar projects rushing to take over large chunks of public land in the Southwestern United States. Billions of dollars in tax incentives, cash grants and loan guarantees have brought hundreds of large solar companies to the open deserts to cash in on […]
Federal Housing Administration’s new loan program “Power Saver” allows eligible home owners to borrow money to finance windows, doors, heating, ventilation, solar panels and other high energy efficient retrofits. Eligible homeowners can borrow up to $25,000 at a 5-7% fixed interest rate with 20 years to pay it back. Some of the qualifications are that […]
Binghamton, NY received a new 50 kilowatt photovoltaic system at their water treatment plant. The solar panel array is expected to supply more than 10 percent of the city water treatment plants total demand. This is the city’s first on-site renewable energy generator. The system is composed of 18 arrays with a total of 204 […]
