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Taiwan's solar stadium 100% powered by the sun
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Magnu-@aol.com
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Sep 25, 2009 19:22 PDT
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_http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/20/taiwan-solar-stadium_
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/20/taiwan-solar-stadium)
Taiwan's solar stadium 100% powered by the sun
Taiwan recently finished construction on a solar-powered stadium that will
officially open later this year to welcome the 2009 World Games. From
_Inhabitat_ (http://www.inhabitat.com/) , part of the _Guardian Environment
Network_ (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/network)
* _Inhabitat_ (http://www.inhabitat.com/) , part of the _Guardian
Environment Network_ (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/network)
* _guardian.co.uk_ (http://www.guardian.co.uk/) , Wednesday 20 May
2009 13.11 BST
* _Article history_
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/20/taiwan-solar-stadium#history-byline)
Toyo Ito's design has a 14,155 sq metre solar roof that is able to provide
enough energy to power the stadium's 3,300 lights and two jumbo vision
screens. Photograph: Inhabitat.com
_Taiwan_ (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/taiwan) recently finished
construction on an incredible solar-powered stadium that will generate 100% of
its electricity from photovoltaic technology! Designed by Toyo Ito, the
dragon-shaped 50,000 seat arena is clad in 8,844 solar panels that illuminate
the track and field with 3,300 lux. The project will officially open later
this year to welcome the 2009 World Games.
Building a new stadium is always a massive undertaking that requires
millions of dollars, substantial physical labor, and a vast amount of
electricity to keep it operating. Toyo Ito's design negates this _energy_
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/energy) drain with a stunning 14,155 sq meter
solar roof that is able to provide enough energy to power the stadium's
3,300 lights and two jumbo vision screens. To illustrate the incredible power
of this system, officials ran a test this January and found that it took
just six minutes to power up the stadium's entire lighting system!
The stadium also integrates additional green features such as permeable
paving and the extensive use of reusable, domestically made materials. Built
upon a clear area of approximately 19 hectares, nearly 7 hectares has been
reserved for the development of integrated public green spaces, bike paths,
sports parks, and an ecological pond. Additionally, all of the plants
occupying the area before construction were transplanted.
Non-sports fans in the community have a lot to jump up and down for as
well. Not only does the solar system provide electricity during the games, but
the surplus energy will also be sold during the non-game period. On days
where the stadium is not being used, the Taiwanese government plans to feed
the extra energy into the local grid, where it will meet almost 80% of the
neighboring area's energy requirements. Overall, the stadium will generate
1.14 million KWh per year, preventing the release of 660 tons of carbon
dioxide into atmosphere annually.
• This article was shared by our content partner _Inhabitat_
(http://www.inhabitat.com/) , part of the _Guardian Environment Network_
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/network)
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