Avid Snapper
solar canopy (16)
Solar Canopy
This is the largest Solar Canopy in the UK, and its performance will be closely monitored as part of a three year European research project.
The supporting structure was built by Carpenter Oak from European larch grown in a sustainably managed forest in Scotland. It resembles trees growing out of the York stone to form a forest canopy overhead, and the tilted canopy roof throws a dappled light onto the ground.
The roof is made of 250 toughened glass photovoltaic modules designed to last for 25 years. Photovoltaic (PV) or solar cells are made of a special semi-conductor material that transforms light into electricity by the “photovoltaic effect”. This effect was discovered in 1839 by Antoine Cesar Becquerel. PV cells generate direct current electricity that is usually converted into alternating current so that it can operate standard electrical equipment.
In one year the Solar Canopy will generate up to 80,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. This is sufficient to service 21 typical homes. Planet Earth Galleries will use most of the electricity generated, but any that is not used will be transferred to the Yorkshire Electricity grid.
The tilt on the roof is 5%, which is the most that the supporting structure and the buildings either side of it can accommodate.
Earth Centre, Conisbrough, Doncaster Museum of Sustainability 1999-2004
solar canopy (16)
Solar Canopy
This is the largest Solar Canopy in the UK, and its performance will be closely monitored as part of a three year European research project.
The supporting structure was built by Carpenter Oak from European larch grown in a sustainably managed forest in Scotland. It resembles trees growing out of the York stone to form a forest canopy overhead, and the tilted canopy roof throws a dappled light onto the ground.
The roof is made of 250 toughened glass photovoltaic modules designed to last for 25 years. Photovoltaic (PV) or solar cells are made of a special semi-conductor material that transforms light into electricity by the “photovoltaic effect”. This effect was discovered in 1839 by Antoine Cesar Becquerel. PV cells generate direct current electricity that is usually converted into alternating current so that it can operate standard electrical equipment.
In one year the Solar Canopy will generate up to 80,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. This is sufficient to service 21 typical homes. Planet Earth Galleries will use most of the electricity generated, but any that is not used will be transferred to the Yorkshire Electricity grid.
The tilt on the roof is 5%, which is the most that the supporting structure and the buildings either side of it can accommodate.
Earth Centre, Conisbrough, Doncaster Museum of Sustainability 1999-2004