Heliotrope: The World's First Energy Positive Solar Home

[PsychoSerenity]

Look, up in the sky — it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the Heliotrope! The brainchild of Architect Ralph Disch, this rotating solar home was the seed for the extraordinary Sonnenschiff Solar Development and the modern solar movement in Germany. The home takes full advantage of the sun by rotating with it, allowing daylight to course though its triple-pane windows and energize its large roof-mounted solar array and solar thermal pipes. The result is one of the first zero-energy modern homes in the world — one that actually ends up generating five times the energy it consumes.

More here.

The one thing they don't seem to say though, is how long it takes to pay off the energy cost of creating it. - But it's still another step in the right direction.

[mistermack]

Seems a bit gimmicky making the house rotate. So long as the solar panel rotates, that should be enough.
And it's pig ugly. Not so nice for the neighbours to have to look at.
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[amused]

Seems a bit gimmicky making the house rotate. So long as the solar panel rotates, that should be enough.

I'm an architect, and that was my first reaction too. But, there are advantages to making the building react to solar angles. The passive way is to orient the building to 'point' it toward or away from the sun, depending on latitude. The passive trick is to calculate the roof overhangs so that the walls and windows are shaded in the summer when the sun is high, but are just short enough to let the low winter sun hit the walls and windows. And if the sun is allowed in through a window in winter, use materials on the floors that absorb solar heat during the day and then release it at night, like concrete or thick masonry pavers.

By rotating the entire building, it will be possible to point heavily insulated walls at the sun during the summer, or even at certain hot times of the day. Then in winter, point glass walls at the sun to let the heat in.

I doubt the house is financially feasible on a reasonable payback schedule, but these projects are important experiments that move us in the right direction. IMO

[maiforpeace]

If it were near a coastline it could double as a light house.

I love to see stuff like this for the green aspect - but yes, I do agree that house is butt ugly!

[mistermack]

Seems a bit gimmicky making the house rotate. So long as the solar panel rotates, that should be enough.

I'm an architect, and that was my first reaction too. But, there are advantages to making the building react to solar angles. The passive way is to orient the building to 'point' it toward or away from the sun, depending on latitude. The passive trick is to calculate the roof overhangs so that the walls and windows are shaded in the summer when the sun is high, but are just short enough to let the low winter sun hit the walls and windows. And if the sun is allowed in through a window in winter, use materials on the floors that absorb solar heat during the day and then release it at night, like concrete or thick masonry pavers.

By rotating the entire building, it will be possible to point heavily insulated walls at the sun during the summer, or even at certain hot times of the day. Then in winter, point glass walls at the sun to let the heat in.

I doubt the house is financially feasible on a reasonable payback schedule, but these projects are important experiments that move us in the right direction. IMO

All true, but shutters and triple glazing would sort out the hot summers, and moving air around with ducts and fans is easier than moving a house around.
It's experiment for it's own sake, but it should be a good investment, as one-offs like this have a habit of fetching a premium.
Not for me though.

My own idea for energy efficiency would be to bury two huge insulated plastic water storage tanks under the garden or drive. In hot weather, heat water using a solar water panel, and circulate it to the hot tank. And on cold nights, chill the water in the cold tank, by circulating it through exposed finned pipes.
Then use the hot or cold reservoirs to maintain the ideal tempreature indoors all year round.
.