The Solaire - NYC

The Solaire is located in Battery Park, NYC. It is certified LEED Gold, and incorporates MANY green features, including using photovoltaic panels (PV) on the west facade of the building where the sun hits the most.

According to a case study done by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the photovoltaic system cost $375,000 with a 4-year payback period. I think this is important because I feel that a 4-year payback period is very reasonable.

The system they use is different than what I am doing in that I am trying to incorporate PV panels into a curtain wall system, whereas they just installed them on the exterior of the building. But it is similar in that I am going to be applying them vertically on the face of the building. It gives me hope that my idea is feasible, and maybe even more so than the system they use in The Solaire since I will be able to offset the cost of the PV panels by taking out the cost of the spandrel glass.

I really REALLY encourage you to to check out this video by the New York Times, "Green Architecture in NYC". It goes on a little mini tour of The Solaire, so you can check out the PV panels and everything else they did to achieve LEED Gold. I think this may be a good excuse to go for a trip to the Big Apple!

Note:
Top picture from: http://www.urbangreencouncil.org/assets/imagesgreen-buildings/the-solaire-battery-park-city-from-contest.jpg
Bottom picture from: http://www.thehighline.org/img/newsletter/122006/greenroof.jpg