Decentralised rooftop PV is the largest supplier of clean power in Australia. With grids catching up, a range of storage options available and rapid uptake of electric vehicles, it is time to build onto this success. Neat brings together designs that define this purpose.

LAKE|FLATO ARCHITECTS and SHEPLEY BULFINCH ARCHITECTS, AUSTIN CENTRAL LIBRARY, AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA

January 20, 2020 by Giles Hohnen

03860_000_N142_2600x1516_acf_cropped-1600x911-c-default.jpg

Completed in 2017, the Austin City Library has 182 kW rooftop and shade structure arrays. The library is a long way from Net Zero (it is understood to generate around a third of the buildings electricity needs), but it is a highly visible integrated PV demonstration project in a popular public facility. The design also allows for daylight to central areas allowing for ambient natural reading light and substantial energy savings.