Guardian sustainable business
Redesigning Cities

'This building is its own power plant': your stories of renewables in the city

From New York to Frankfurt, readers shared their experiences of renewable energy projects in cities around the world

Rooftop solar panels reflect the sun in Stoke on Trent, UK
Rooftop solar panels reflect the sun in Stoke on Trent, UK. Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters
Guardian sustainable business
Redesigning Cities

'This building is its own power plant': your stories of renewables in the city

From New York to Frankfurt, readers shared their experiences of renewable energy projects in cities around the world

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Portsmouth

I was invited to take photos on the roof of Portsmouth city council. Most of the roof is covered in solar panels.

San Francisco

Historical bay front solar installation powering 60% of the museums electrical needs.

Frankfurt

This apartment building in Frankfurt/Germany is its own power plant. Solar panels on the roof and in the façade generate more than enough electricity for its residents. Tenants can track how much power the energy-plus-house is making through smart panels in each unit. They can also use a community fleet of E-cars powered with electricity generated by the house.

London and the South East

Geothermal pipe installation at one of the Crossrail sites.

Davis, California

How to power a university campus. SunPower solar carports and roof mounted panels.

Bristol

Members of Bristol Energy Cooperative, and project partners, filming on their new 4.2MW solar park in Lawrence Weston, on the North West outskirts of Bristol near Avonmouth.

The development was funded in part by local residents though shares. The project will provide a community benefit payment to local community development trust Ambition Lawrence Weston.

The wind turbines in the background are existing commercial development.

Winter Park, Florida

Volunteers are fanning out across Florida to launch neighborhood rooftop solar Co-ops to help homeowners harness volume discounts and start printing money with their roofs by deep discounts on rooftop solar. www.FLSUN.org

New York

The vertical SunPower PV wall avoided designing around limited roof space in favor of the building’s south-facing four-story façade. The 37kW system is expected to perform best in the the winter — unlike most PV installations, which typically generate more power during the summer.

Freiburg

Solar water and PV, passive housing, car free, and people-centered.

Vancouver

This new residential development includes several solar arrays, EV charging, and efficient building techniques.

Brighton and Hove

An unusual additon to a rooftop solar array - some netting to keep local seagulls, their chicks, and (most importantly) their poo off of our shiny new solar panels

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