Vertical Village Energy-Efficiency in Dubai

BY Ariel Schwartz

In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai has always maintained a reputation as the center of excess and oil money gone awry, while Abu Dhabi's Masdar City has emerged as the UAE's sustainable core. But Dubai's developers might be signaling a shift away from energy-gulping air-conditioned beaches and desert-bound ski resorts. Graft Lab is offering up a multi-use complex that could end up scoring a LEED Gold rating. Don't worry Dubai lovers. It's still gaudy.

The Vertical Village, which contains residential, hotel, and entertainment facilities, features a massive solar array on its southern side that automatically positions itself for maximum sun exposure. A solar roof provides heated water, and self-shading slabs on the north end of the site eliminate direct sun exposure into the building, cutting down on air-conditioning costs.

And of course, the Vertical Village's interlocking slabs are eye-catching, as per Dubai standards. The flailing stock markets in the U.S. and abroad and increasing unemployment may thwart the city's rapid development, but energy-efficient projects like the Vertical Village can at least secure a future for some of Dubai's ambitious architectural designs.

National Solar Homes Tour This Weekend!

by Bridgette Meinhold
If you’re looking for something to do, may we suggest checking out the amazing Solar Homes Tour, which will be happening this weekend in many cities around the country? The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is hosting their 14th Annual National Solar Tour, which is said to be the world’s largest grassroots solar event. Planned for Saturday, October 3, communities and cities around the nation will open up their solar powered homes for the public to visit and learn more about solar power. If you’ve always wanted to see photovoltaic and solar thermal systems in action, this is a great chance to do so – and the fact that the whole tour consists of already existing homes and structures makes it inherently better for the Earth than many other tours!

This weekend, more than 150,000 participants will visit 5,000 buildings in over 3,000 communities around the US. You’ll get to see live and working solar systems as well as buildings focused on energy efficiency, sustainable design, and green materials. This is a great chance to get inspired and learn more about solar energy. The owners will also be on hand to discuss their experiences and offer tips and advice based on their own experiences.

Ed Begley, Jr., who is helping to spread the word about the tour said, “The National Solar Tour offers families an opportunity to have meaningful conversations with friends and neighbors who are reaping the benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency each and every day. It’s a great way to get an up-close and personal perspective on how easy it can be to live the green life — and how rewarding.”