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SolarMount™ provides integrated solution
for 85-kilowatt 'Solar Wall' in Wales
http://www.solaraccess.com/news/story?storyid=6342

The Solar Wall at the Welsh Development Agency "Technium" in St. Asaph, North Wales:
    A Welsh technology center completed in January integrates UniRac's SolarMountý Mounting System into an 11,000-square-foot "Solar Wall," the largest installation of its kind in Europe. It is the latest example of large-scale PV building integration using products designed and manufactured by UniRac, of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
    At peak hours, the Solar Wall generates 85 kilowatts of electricity from 2,400 Shell Solar CIS thin film modules. The array curves from the roofline to the ground, forming the southern faýade of the building. It also channels rainwater into an ornamental pool, for use by the center's building and grounds.
    SolarMount solved two problems faced by the Solar Wall's designers, according to Bruce Cross, managing director of the Energy Equipment Testing Service (EETS), which engineered the Solar Wall. It allowed clear ventilation behind the panels, minimizing operating temperatures and thus maximizing output. SolarMount's bottom mounting clips also mounted PV modules from behind, giving the array a smooth external finish.
    SolarMount extruded aluminum rails (U.S. and other patents pending) needed to be curved to meet the unique design requirement. Following consultation with UniRac, EETS designed an even bend into the rails.
    "The process of cold rolling involved passing sections through a set of rollers to give an even radius, within 3 millimeters on a 3 meter radius," explained Cross. The process was successful, resulting in no distortion of the mounting slots or rail sections.
    The technology center is located in St. Asaph, North Wales, one of several "Techniums" created by the Welsh Development Agency to promote innovative technologies through university-business cooperation.
    UniRac devotes its entire business to the manufacture of PV module racks for every type of array and all makes and models of modules. Custom-designed building-integrated PV mounting solutions are a significant part of its business. Another example is the Solare, a Manhattan residential high-rise dedicated by New York Gov. George Pataki in September 2003. The 27-story building, located in Battery Park, was t! he first to earn the state's green building tax credit.
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Note sur "Solare", cet immeuble ("first environmentally engineered residential tower") de Manhattan inauguré en 2003:
    " Rising interest in healthy living and the "green" building has propelled interest in The Solaire, with 60% of its 293 apartments rented in just 10 weeks. The majority of the building's lower 18 floors, including studio, one, two and three-bedroom residences, is already committed.
    Located at 20 River Terrace in Battery Park City, The Solaire has been environmentally engineered to consume 35% less energy, reduce peak demand for electricity by 65%, require 50% less potable water, provide its residents with healthier indoor air quality and offer substantially more natural light than typical residential buildings. Among the most innovative environmental features of the new landmark building are :
    * Photovoltaic cells integrated within the exterior walls capable of generating five percent of the building's base electric load.
    * Filtered fresh air supply and programmable thermostats in each residence.
    * An air conditioning system fueled by natural gas and free of ozone depleting refrigerants.
    * On-site black water system to supply the HVAC cooling tower and eliminate the use of potable water for the building's flush system.
    * Storm water catchment system to irrigate the rooftop garden.
    * A complete building management and monitoring system to control and monitor air quality and energy performance.
    * The use of building materials free of formaldehyde and containing low or no VOC's and high recycled content, or manufactured with renewable or rapidly renewable resources.
    The building's dedication to energy efficiency, air quality, water conservation and the preservation of natural resources has earned The Solaire broad acclaim as a model for urban sustainable development.