SolaRoof Discussions

energy awards

here's the national energy globe awards - an annual hall of fame with one award per country http://www.energyglobe.com/en/en ergy-globe-award/winners-2007/na tional/

Albania: Organisation: Grouping "Ecomovement" Project title: Awareness among policymakers, stakeholders and wide public on climate chnage issues in Albania Honorary Award

Algeria: Organisation: Priority Actions Programme / Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC) Project title: Destinations National Award

Argentinia: Organisation: Fundación Ambiente, Cultura y Desarrollo - ACUDE (Environment, Culture and Development Foundation) Project title: "Educar Forestando" Program: The formation of human values through education with the tree. National Award

Armenia: Organisation: Armenia Tree Project Project title: Backyard Nursery Project National Award

Australia: Organistation: Gould Group Project title: Gould group's Green School's projects National Award

Austria: Organisation: Fronius International GmbH Project title: HyLog - Demonstration einer Co2-freien Transportlogistiklösung bei Fronius in Sattledt, OÖ National Award

Azerbaijan: Organisation: Umid-98" Humanitarian and Social Support Centre Project title: "Improvement of Access to Portable Water along Baku-Tbilisi-Jayhan/South Caucasus Pipeline" National Award

Bangladesh: Organisation: Grameen Shakti Project title: Green Power Bringing Light Energy and Income to Rural Bangladesh National Awards

Belarus: Organisation: Fair Nature Foundation Project title: Energyship Berezina Honoray Award

Belgium: Organisation: Subsea Industries Project title: Ecospeed National Awards

Bolivia: Organisation: Tecnologias en Desarrollo Project title: BIOGAS IN BOLIVIA "Viviendas autoenergéticas" Eco Energy Housing, A new form to see the future power of the country, in the rural area National Award

Botswana: Organisation: kalahari Resources Development Company Project title: 200 MW solar thermal generation Honorary Award

Brazil: Organisation: Mrs.Marielza Cunha Horta Project title: ECO CITIZEN PROGRAMME National Awards

Bulgaria: Organisation: NGO Federation "Intereco-21" Project title: "Eco-house - a basis of the sustainable development, that includes: composting of arganic wastein the family yard in biocomposters, heating using geo-thermal energy, and electricity using solar energy" National Awards

Burkina Faso: Organisation: Africa Label Group Project title: Afrique Sauvetage Honorary Award

Cambodia: Organisation: Groupe Energies Renouvelables, Environment et Solidarite - GERES Cambodia Project title: Fuelwood Saving Project Honorary Award

Cameroon: Organisation: Entwicklungspartnerschaft für Kamerun Gemeinnütziger Verein zur Förderung der medizinischen und handwerklichen Entwicklung Project title: Wasser für Krankenhaus Galim National Awards

Canada: Organisation: Architectrual & Community Planning Inc. Project title: EcoNomad Utilites Appliance National Awards

Chad: Organisation: The World Bank in Chad Project title: Support to the valorisation of Savonnier Tree in Sahelian area National Award

China: Organisation: LuAn Boshi Chemicals Project title: Effective Use of Rice or Wheat Straws National Awards Colombia: Organisation: Generadora Union S.A. E.S.P. and Aguas de la Cabana S. A. E.S.P. Project title: Agua Fresca Multipurpose Project National Award

Congo: Organisation: Dr. Klaus Tietze Project title: Lake Kivu Methane Exploitation Project Honorary Award

Costa Rica: Organisation: Physics Department/Universidad nacional Project title: My 31 years of solar energy applications in Central America National Award

Croatia: Organisation: Miroslav Kral Project title: Power Plant for Electric Energy Producing - Consensual Patent- PK 20000383 Honoray Award

Cyprus: Organisation: AGD Solar Trading LTD and Dagsan Solar sistemleri Project title: Heat pipe flat collector with integrated storage tank National Award

Czech Republic: Organisation: Veronica Ecological Institute (Czech Union for Nature Conservation) Project title: Centre Veronica Hostetin - Model Projects of Sustainable Regional Development National Award

Denmark: Organisation: Samso Energy Academy Project title: 100 % RE Island in 10 years 1997 - 2007 National Award Ecuador: Organisation: Käthe-Kollwitz-Schule Project title: Aufbau eines Energie- und Umweltzentrums in den Anden Ecuadors Honorary Award

El Salvador: Organisation: Sun Energy Project title: Waste Vegetable Oil Recycling for Biodiesel Production in El Salvador National Award

Eritrea: Organisation: Ministry of Energy and Mines Project title: High efficient improved stove National Awards

Estonia: Organisation: Eesti Energia SA Project title: Introduction of EMAS-based environmental management system National Award

Ethiopia: Organisation: VIS-Volontarato Internazionale Per Lo Sviluppo Project title: One Drop in the Sea performs Miracles National Award

Fiji: Organisation: Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) Project title: Linkages Between Energy and Gender In the Pacific Honorary Award

Finland: Organisation: Ekokem Oy Ab Project title: Closed-loop energy recovery from municipal solid waste National Award France: Organisation: BRGM Project title: ISONITRATE: How isotopic monitoring can improve management of nitrate pollution in water National Award

Gambia: Organisation: Econcern Project title: NICE National Award

Georgia: Organisation: Georgian Employers Association Project title: Complex using of Energy Renewable Sources, wind, sun and water, per engine National Award

Germany: Organisation: KACO Gerätetechnik GmbH Project title: Solare Wasserbehandlung mittels Swarla Technik National Award

Ghana: Organisation: Bikat Company Limited Project title: SAW DUST AS FUEL FOR DOMESTIC USE IN COOKING National Award

Greece: Organisation: CENTRE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES Project title: GROUND-REACH "Reaching the Kyoto targets by means of a wide introduction ground coupled heat pumps (GCHP) in the built environment" National Award

Guatemala: Organisation: Susanne Heiße Project title: "Pura Vida" National Award

Haiti: Organisation: Haitian Community Development Project, Inc. Project title: Waste Management/Incinerator for Haiti Honorary Award

Honduras: Organisation: EcoLogic Development Fund Project title: Bosques Pico Bonito National Award

Hungary: Organisation: Middle-Tisza District Environment and Water Directorate Project title: Sustainable Use and Management Rehabilitation of Flood Plain in the Middle-Tisza District National Award

India: Organisation: Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak (Sulabh International social service organisation) Project title: Sulabh effluent treatment technology for waste water of public toilets National Award

Indonesia: Organisaton: Unilever Indonesia Project title: Program IDE (Innovation in education) National Award

Iran: Organisation: G. Nasiri and A.Khoshgard / HSE Department /National Petrochemical Company Project title: Energy Saving by Eliminating Refrigeration Cycle of Fluidized Bed Cooler in Urea Plant National Award

Ireland: Organisation: Ecological Building Systems Project title: Eco Wall System National Award

Israel: Organisation: Bustan Project title: Children's Power Project National Award

Italy: Organisation: Federabitazione Europe - Confcooperative Project title: SHE "Sustainable Housing in Europe" National Award Japan: Organisation: Ryuichi Ashizawa Architects & associates Project title: Grounding Project -House 01- National Award

Jordan: Organisation: AREE Consortium Project title: AREE National Award

Kenya: Organisation: Solar Cookers International (EA) Project title: Sunny Solutions National Award

Kyrgyzstan: Organisation: Civic Environmental Foundation UNISON Project title: Promoton Development of Energy Service Companies in Kyrgyzstan National Award

Laos: Organisation: Sunlabob Rural Energy Ltd. Project title: Selling electricity in remote villages off the grid - an integrated strategy of Sunlabob National Award

Lativia: Organisation: Institue of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, University of Latvia Project title: Innovation in MSc studies in physics and natural sciences "Natural sciences, global change and technologies for sustainable development" National Award

Lithuania: Organisation: Institute of Environmental Engineering (APINI), Kaunas University of Technology Project title: The System for Preventive Energy Saving & Waste Minimization Innovation Development and Implementation in Industry 1997-2007 (APINI SPIN) National Award

Luxembourg: Organisation: Witry & Witry architecture urbanisme Project title: Zentralschule in L-Born National Award Macedonia: Organisation: Ekolosko Biro Project title: Wastewater treatment plant with continuously bio filtration Ekolosko biro (Ecological Office) National Award

Malawi: Organisation: RISA Consulting Project title: Increasing Access to Energy through microfinance Honorary Award

Malaysia: Organisation: AkayConsult Project title: An Individually Empowered Sustainable & Renewable System of Provding Potable Drinking and Washing Water National Award

Mali: Organisation: Dodo - Tulevaisuuden elävä luonto ry. Project title: Sinsibere/Tany maitso National Award

Malta: Organisation: Gozo Enterprises Limited Project title: Development of a fuel-free electricity generating machine National Award

Mexico: Organisation: Grupo Ecologico Sierra Gorda IAP Project title: Development of Ecosystem Products in the SGBR National Award

Moldova: Organisation: The Regional Environmental Centre Moldova Project title: Save our Streams National Award

Morocco: Organisation: Mohammed VI Foundation for Environment Protection Project title: Sustainable Energy Projects Awareness of 131 high schools National Award

Mozambique: Organisation: Helvetas Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit Swiss Association for International Cooperation Project title: Wasser und Siedlungshygiene im ländlichen Gebiet der Provinz Cabo Delgado in Mozambique (MMO38) National Award Union of Myanmar: Organisation: R. Kyaw Swa Soe, Mr. Kann Min, Ms. Selina Lee, Mr. Chung Cha Fu, Ms. Le Th Hong Giang, Project title: Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation for Schools National Award

Namibia: Organisation: Alternative Energy Development Corp. Ltd. Project title: rural sustainable alternative energy National Award

Netherlands: Organisation: GE Plastics Europe Project title: Brine Recovery Project National Award

New Zealand: Organisation: Waikato Regional Council (Environment Wakato) Project title: Geothermal Policy Review National Awards

Nicaragua: Organisation: blueEnergy Project title: blueEnergy: Locally made Wind Turbines for Sustainable, Low-Cost, Environmentally-Sensitive Energy Service in Poor Areas National Award

Niger: Organisation: GVDsa (Gestion et Valorisation des Déchets/Waste Management and Recovery) Project title: Energetic and Material recovery of plastic waste, paper waste and agricultural residues National Award

Nigeria: Organisation: ASHDAM SOLAR CO. LTD Project title: Ashdam Initiative: Feasibility Study on Renewable Energy Resources in helping the poor in Nigeria National Award Pakistan: Organisation: Alternative Energy Development Board Pakistan Project title: STORY of Solar Village Bharmal, Sindh, Pakistan National Award

State of Palestine: Organisation: Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem (ARIJ) Project title: Name of the targeted area: Jubbet adh Dhib, East Bethlehem, Palestine National Award

Panama: Organisation: Clement Energy Corp Project title: Pedal LOW RPM ECOGENERATOR National Award

Peru: Organisation: Ciudad Saludable Project title: Sustainable Solid Waste Management Program in the City of Cahuaz and the School of Planning and Environmental Municipal Management National Award

Philippines: Organisation: Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc. (AID Foundation) Project title: Development of local waterram: supplying upland communities with drinking water National Award

Poland: Organisation: WALDOM - Jerzy Walasek Project title: Device for field irrigation and feeding water supply systems, powered with solar energy Honorary Award

Portugal: Organisation: LPN (Liga Proteccao Natureza/League Protection Nature) Project title: Sustainability of Nature conservation in Portuguese Farming Areas National Award

State of Qatar: Organisation: Arabian Environmental Construction Co. Project title: New Doha International Airport - Construction of Engineered Landfill at Mesiaeed, Qatar National Award Republic of Rwanda: Organisation: Engineers Without Borders-Johnson Space Center Chapter Project title: Development and impementation of the "Bring Your Own Water" Treatment System in rural Rwanda National Award

Russia: Organisation: Museum of A.V. Zhirmunsky Institute of Marine Biology Project title: Schools - Islands of the Future in a City by the Sea National Award

Romania: Organisation: Woman in Europe for a Common Future, WECF Project title: A new approach for safe sanitation and water Protection in rual Romania

Serbia: Organisation: o.d. Auto Centar Lazarevic Project title: Rural Green Energy Honorary Award

Sierra Leone: Organisation: Africa Youth for Peace and Development Organization Project title: Wireless Communication and Energy for Rural Comminities Honorary Award

Singapore: Organisation: Innovation und Technik AG Project title: Anaerobic Digestion Plant Singapore National Award

Slovakia: Organisation: People and Water Project title: WATER FOREST of Slovenska sporitelna National Award

Slovenia: Organisation: Limons Ltd., Company for applied ecology Project title: Sustainable rehabilitation of landfill site National Award

South Africa: Organisation: The Energy and Sustainability Programme ESKOM / Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa Project title: Young people against climate change - through the Energy + Sustainability Programme National Award

Spain: Organisation: Solar Millennium AG Project title: Andasol-Projekte National Award

Sri Lanka: Organisation: Alpha Solar Energy Systems (Pvt) Ltd. Project title: Supply & Installatioin of Solar Street Lamps & Solar Electrification System National Award

Sudan: Organisation: Solar Energy Enterprises co Ltd Project title: Safe Drinking Water Filtration Unit for Rural Communities National Award

Sweden: Organisation: City of Stockholm, Clean Vehicles in Stockholm Project title: Clean Vehicles in Stockholm National Award

Switzerland: Organisation: Beat Kaempfen, office for architecture Project title: Switzerland's first zero energy office building National Award

Taiwan: Organisation: Epoch Energy Technology Corp Project title: Renewable Energy Products Honorary Award

Tanzania: Organisation: Zara Solar Limited Project title: Providing affordable solar systems in Northern Tanzania National Award

Thailand: Organisation: Dr. Penja Jitjumroonchokchai - King Mongkut Institute of Technology North Bangkok (Technique Thai-German) Project title: Charcoal Briquettes Made from Pulp and Paper mill Wastes National Award

Togo: Organisation: Jeunes Volontaires pour L'Environnement Project title: Local Sustainable Energy Solutions - Water Pasteurization by Solar Energy National Award

Tunisia: Organisation: Green Hill Project title: Touristic, Thermal and Esthetic Center National Award

Turkey: Organisation: Dr. Robert Murjahn Institute (RMI) Project title: Dr. Robert Murjahn Institute - Türkiye Building Uganda: Organisation: Community Empowerment Initiative (CEI) Project title: Water and Sanitation Project in Bisozi National Award

United Arab Emirates: Organisation: Pacific Controls Systems L.L.C. Project title: Pacific Controls Headquarters Building National Award

United Kingdom: Organisation: United Utilities Project title: Blackburn Enzymic Hydrolysis Nationa Award

United States: Organisation: Post Consumer Carpet Processing Technology LLC. Project title: Recycling Post Consumer Carpets National Award

Uzbekistan: Organisation: Engineering Research Group "ERG" Project title: High-efficent technology of extracting energy from water flow Honorary Award

Vietnam: Organisation: SEDEC BINH THUAN Project title: Restoring Ecological Balance and Reducing Poverty in Bac District, Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam National Award

Yemen: Organisation: Stephan Augustin Produktentwicklung Project title: Watercone ® National Award

There are no comments.

For truth to be usable -the hardest learings

At this whither 7 billion people's junction http://blogs.ft.com/wolfforum/20 08/05/trust-the-development-expe rts/

what I as a maths guy love about being tutored in DR Yunus maps is we face a triple exponential challenge in one - a mistake in any of the 3 arenas can kill off your investment if not your peoples.

For truth to be usable, quickly check with anyone you might consider teaming with whether they get this triple innovation battle. If not, you cant rely on them all of the teamworking time. I think that peter rachel marriah raimo alexis mostofa lesley alan mark get this. I am not sure I know anyone else who does. I probably didnt myself before I spent half a day with Dr Yunus in Dhaka -maybe I still don't. Of course I would love to be introduced to others who do see our race's sustainability challenge the same way in every teamwork flow they do.

simultaneous phase 1 :

reversing exponential destruction in a community- this is transparency's most dangerous phase - it has cost may leaders' lives and even more among silent deep community heroines- it can take years and if you systemise it well all you have to show financially is perhaps break even ; what you have actually done is turned round something that was exponentially crashing

simultaneous phase 2 renewal - this is the positive phase of exponential up empowerment -both goodwill and financial flows win-win let alone community wide joy and pride and hope for sustainability - but it can only kick in after years of phase 1- this is what moves peoples and the whole communities past the poverty line but its also not sufficient at least not for development mapmakers in bottom billion contexts

simultaneous phase 3 what is also needed is resilience (saving and investing in the next generation way beyond the basic poverty line) to the next big disaster which is actuarially likely to happen every decade or so- if this hadnt been so, its probably the case that this place would never have slipped into bottom billion; in Bangladesh’s context the continual challenge is primarily environmental; in other places it may be primarily because of lack of reconciliation of 2 histrionically clashing belief systems whether religious or economic or other

chris macrae dc bureau 301 881 1655

http://microcredit.tv

Last comment added: Sat, 31 May 2008 07:06:42 PDT

SolaRoof Users' Websites

Illustrations and user info/feedback at these sites..

http://www.homesol.ca/2004/green houses.php

and

http://www.solarbubblebuild.com with illustrations of basic principles (excluding algae production which will need 3 layers!) here: http://www.solarbubblebuild.com/ futurebuild/index.html

Anne

Last comment added: Wed, 19 Sep 2007 07:00:55 PDT

Richard's Community Vision

What is the vision? A Sustainable Living vision calls us to take positive steps to change our lives, at home and in our local communities. This vision is only effective when people respond in a Grass Roots initiative to create a positive energy and innovative solutions that change our personal and collective lifestyles. Such a response cannot be commanded - it must be inspired by the vision (and the challenge) of sustainable living. The sustainable living movement would have this kind of vision: one that puts the people first and calls for grass roots collaborative design that is focused on our “built” habitats that will transform our homes and communities to a new pattern of ecological life support.

My conclusion is that the sustainable living vision can inspire the self-motivation and creative excitement needed to drive a worldwide collaboration. Such a collective effort should not adopt traditional organizational and administrative structures. It needs to express a self-directing and self-organizing style that can encourage and mobilize a massively parallel effort by multitudes of inspired people who can now share information, communicate and collaborate in teams over the Internet. Our Web Community (modeled after the GNU/Opensource and Linux development community) will not be problem focused but rather, solution centered and capable of rapid creation and testing of solutions; followed by wide spread implementation. When the criteria is sustainable living, then a merit based system of collaboration will sort out those best practices that are accessible, affordable, adaptable, and appropriate to the local conditions. Sustainability as a vision will deliver solutions that are scalable from where we live—in our homes—to where we work and play in our communities.

Sustainability looks at the human habitat in its relation to the natural environment. In distinction to the environmentalist’s focus, which is on the disruption of the natural world by humans, Sustainable Living would bring a natural order to our built environment so that we can live self-sufficiently within the bounds of our homes, communities and our commercial and industrial sites. At its best, achieving sustainability would completely eliminate the impact of human communities and activities on their surroundings. Our habitations could become more decentralized and interfaced with nature because our proximity would do no harm; in fact our activity would seek to become beneficial and restorative of the damage that our former un-sustainable lifestyles have already inflicted.

Where is this program to be implemented? That would be your home and mine. Who is in charge? That would be you and me, all working together in small groups with a global support network. This process is also inclusive of everyone who wants to enjoy a sustainable lifestyle and is directed at DIY Users? as much as professionals and businesses. It will be discovered that there is no better lifestyle to be found at any price. We will build a secure, healthy, satisfying, natural and harmonious way of life. We will discard, avoid and gradually eliminate the toxic, harmful and destructive aspects of modern living. There will be many, many pioneers and a huge variety of solutions for sustainable living. This Grass Roots know-how will be openly accessible to everyone with permission to use, improve, make, duplicate and distribute in any manner possible to the imagination and resourcefulness of this worldwide web community. We will publish and share our experience and know-how without restriction or constraint.

Therefore, I hope you can support me in this conclusion: Sustainable Development can only be based on our knowledge of Sustainable Living and this is a grass roots issue. It is bottom up - not top down. Information and knowledge guide it - but it must be a reality and not a philosophy. It is to be expressed in action and not only words. It is concerned with our day-to-day life and will affect the ordinary things that we all do every day. I believe we should, in the first place focus on Sustainable Living; get this right first and then sustainable development will naturally follow.

At the beginning of this new millennium, we now possess the communication and collaboration means to mobilize an unimaginably large pool of human capacity, skills, know-how and talent, - therefore, why not build a sustainable living vision that everyone can share and act upon by participation here at our Solaroof Wiki? Together we can BUILD a Sustainable Future.

Last comment added: Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:44:50 PDT

SolaRoof's entry to Ashoka's Changemaker Competition "How to Provide Affordable Housing" Autumn '06

SolaRoof Technology: Ecological Life Support Systems

Country: United Kingdom

Organization: Life Synthesis LLP

Focus of activity: Design
Start Year: 2000

4) Positioning in the mosaic of solutions: - Main barrier addressed: Inadequate current product offerings - Main principle addressed: Radically lower the cost of the entire housing delivery process

Description of housing product/service offering:

Life Synthesis LLP will act as provider and consultant of SolaRoof Technology projects.

SolaRoof is an Open Source low-cost method for "do it yourself" (DIY) construction of effective climate controlled lightweight structures that provides renewable and sustainable supplies of essential resources such as water, food and energy generated within the building systems. Going beyond basic shelters, SolaRoof designed built environments deliver comfortable as well as productive environments for plants, livestock and people.

Life Synthesis LLP aims to shelter residential communities within SolaRoof systems. This includes replacing conventional resource and energy intensive climate control systems with new and dynamic structures that capture and use solar energy by bringing daylight and plants into buildings. These ecologically designed, low cost SolaRoof structures use energy capture, storage, and cooling methods to incorporate plants, water and water based liquids, creating an integrated ecosystem within the building itself.

SolaRoof is both accessible and affordable to those living in poverty, but at the same time desirable to the affluent.

Due to traditions and the scale of the challenge, self-built homes need to be the main focus of new patterns of sustainable construction methods. Therefore training will include replicable training efforts that will be given to qualified applicants within targeted communities. These trainees will be supported by a global online community, and our social enterprise framework.

Our Open Source approach gives end-users maximum benefit and control, while allowing suppliers to compete to offer the components and materials at the lowest possible cost.

Aid dependency is addressed by using SolaRoof Technology as a way forward to new patterns of self-reliant, ecological and sustainable living that can create life with dignity, and prosperity for all.

Description of innovation:

SolaRoof methods facilitate an integrated approach to development and design based on principles of biomimicry. Our approach is truly ecological, and we believe SolaRoof is a necessary, proactive and novel approach to climate change. The versatility, adaptability and holistic approach to the issues involved is innovative in it's own right.

SolaRoof as a unique method of utilisation and interaction of solar energy, water workings and plant processes, depends on transparent roofs/building envelopes to enable two key processes; Liquid Cooling and Liquid Bubble Insulation/Shading.

SolaRoof is suitable for most types and uses of structures and can: Stand independently from an existing building to form an additional roof/superstructure; be added to the exterior of a roof or a wall; be part of or fully form roof or wall/s of new buildings; or replace existing features.

Various designs are possible combining SolaRoof with other technologies. Our team has in-depth experience with low cost DIY construction methods using rammed earth block and lightweight concrete components. Where other building methods use on-site aggregates, production and construction can take place below a SolaRoof cover to be protected from the wind, sun and rain.

Key SolaRoof benefits include:

Versatility and cost of materials and uses;
Elimination of hot roof disadvantages;
Dramatic reduction of heat loss (R value of <30-40);
Water recirculation, purification and desalination;
Efficient food production;
Maximum use of natural light;
Dynamic and space effective energy production;
Effective temperature and humidity control;
Symbiotic relationship to nature that’s mutually beneficial;
Realistic potential for self-sufficiency within a small area.

The above attributes of SolaRoof enable the transition into living with full ecological life support gradual and stress free; without unnecessary need for uprooting supportive social communities.

Bubbles in south side for shading: look carefully at the left side to see bubbles while the right side of the greenhouse tunnel is empty

Benefits to clients:

We encourage sharing of these best practices at our interactive development site http://www.solaroof.org and our discussion forum at the Yahoo Groups site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/so laroof/. These sites are linked with many other sustainable development groups and initiatives. A online social enterprise and e-learning framework, will expand the existing SolaRoof internet community, providing support to start up, develop and promote projects.

Several collaborators are focused on establishing networks of educational community centres for sustainable development, both in the developed and the developing world.

Dream Farm developed by the Institute of Science in Society is based on Professor George Chan’s Integrated Farming & Waste Management System. Prof. Chan is linked with ZERI (Zero Emission Research Initiatives) and has over 40 years experience developing it in over 70 countries.

Another example is the One Village Foundation - a US based NGO - now seeking to establish several Multi-purpose Community & Unity Centres Africa. This is part of a larger effort to work with the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) to further develop the existing GEN Africa chapter.

Other linked networks with particular focus on the Open Source methodology are Global Villages, Open Leader, Open Co-op, Open Source Ecology and Demo Tech to list a few.

The above together with many aligned businesses - of which Nottingham University, Max Fordham, Alcoa and The Alom Group are key - will raise awareness and credibility.

Commercial projects will contribute to the cost of implementation and production within poor communities though an Honour Payment system. This open source approach is designed for DIY and grassroots production and ideal for small enterprise development. Another key advantage to the SolaRoof system is that parts can be manufactured with minimum industrial infrastructure, resulting in value added local production and significant job creation.

Key operational partnerships: Key commercial partners:

Nottingham University School of Built Environment, UK - Head of School Prof. Riffat;
Max Fordham, Engineers, UK – Senior Director Mr. Watts;
The Alom Group, Malaysia - Director Mr. Yiin.

Life Synthesis with the above partners form a global consultancy committed to R&D, design, manufacturing, delivery, sales and marketing. These partners are central to our expansion and credibility within the industry, government and funding bodies.

Partners planning to co-launch SolaRoof pilot projects:

One Village Foundation, US – refining and developing best practices for emerging markets and adopting Solaroof into Unity Centre scheme that includes training, health care, ICT, business incubation, etc;
Khutso Foundation, South Africa - set in the Waterberg Biosphere, is dedicated to showcasing - through environmental solutions - the empowerment of impoverished African communities in transforming the poorest of the poor;
Gamspirit, The Gambia – exploring best practices for ecotourism with minimum footprint and maximum local involvement such as with SolaRoof designs that are included in ecovillage, spa and farming aspects of the project;
Institute of Science in Society, UK – dedicated to the promotion of sustainable & integrated farming practices in the UK and other parts of the world.

Financial model:

Mechanisms for ensuring affordability of SolaRoof technologies will depend on each particular project. However in our projects, we are planning Community centres as a central point for organizing commmunity based social enterprises. These enterprises promoting local economic development taking direct or indirect advantage of SolaRoof technologies will lead to income growth that will make these housing developments more affordable.

This scheme of dramatically increasing agricultural and infrastructure productivity and efficiency will ensure the affordability of our products to low income marginalized populations in the target regions.

SolaRoof low cost housing because it is closely linked with income generation, will be used to fund and/or subsidize housing for workers.

• Costs as percentage of income: 200

• Financing: Initially, we rely on finance from private sources, though our own commercial activity and funding bodies. As our technology enables productivity, it is geared towards profitability, and consequently self-sustaining. The expenses of set-up can in most cases comfortably be paid back within 1-2 years, and thus make finance available to new users. As our structures are protective against climate change, pests, drought, floods etc, the potential for secure livelihoods are far greater than with traditional farming methods, and up to 10 times more productive than field production.

As a social enterprise with a unique and innovative approach to poverty alleviation, we will also approach all significant NGOs and individuals, media, internet as well as use carbon credit schemes to boost funding.

Effectiveness

• Project outcomes: SolaRoof concept has been validated by several proof of concept greenhouses. There are 500+ members of the global community and many of these are considering and planning to build SolaRoof structures. Many more would like to get involved in other ways. The SolaRoof Community is not a business, but encourages leadership by individual and group initiatives. The method of collaborative and grassroots activity has often been effective where governments and universities have lacked in action. The next step is therefore to complete pilot projects for hands-on experience and training, and finalise initial supply chain management systems. Life Synthesis will encourage, enable and promote the Community so it can keep growing in parallel to our other activities.

• Number of clients in past year: We estimate that hundreds have benefited from our online activity at our public forum, and several functional projects have been built,for example: www.solarbubblebuild.com. We also worked with www.ecoshelter.org

• Percentage of clients that are poor or marginalized: 50

• Potential demand: The potential and realistic demand for SolaRoof structures is enormous, and too vast to quantify in currency or number of clients!

Our market is truly global as SolaRoof is adaptable to all climates and all cultures, and can be applied in rural as well as urban settings.

With the effects of global warming and climate change are becoming increasingly noticeable and to many life-threatening, we aim to be prepared to tackle demands for energy efficient buildings as well as house displaced environmental refugees (expected to be 50 million within the next couple of decades).

Additionally, we aim to improve any house that is not currently providing adequate protection against the elements, for humans, animals and plants!

Overall market is therefore potentially much greater than 5 million people/several billion dollar industry.

Scaling up strategy

• Stage of the initiative: Start Up stage.

• Expansion plan: Rapid and effective diffusion include:

Complete and promote several notable SolaRoof greenhouses.
Undertake large-scale projects for desalination and energy production in Malaysia and Spain including components complimentary to low cost housing projects.
Guide housing projects in planning through to completion, and establish on-site training.
Design 20-30 houses for government of Oslo, Norway;
Assist with set-up of Dream Farms;
Assist with set-up of Unity Centre with One Village Foundation;
Continue work to alleviate poverty and design mobile transitional shelters also suitable for environmental refugees (The Rotary is on standby to fund such shelters);
Fundraise and promote technology.

Rapid expansion of DIY implementation is anticipated once the initial proof of concept stage is completed within the next three years.

Origin of the initiative: SolaRoof is based on the work and inventions of Richard Nelson and a background and list of IP is available at http://www.solaroof.org/wiki/Sol aRoofGuy. The technology has been research extensively for greenhouse applications the last two decades, but previously with a proprietary approach. Since 2000, an Open Source approach was adopted, and work initiated to supply know-how for independent exploitation, with intent to refine an Honour Payment structure through Creative Commons Public License to provide support to developing countries. The project escalated in response to the tsunami of December 2004, and the earthquake in Pakistan in 2005.

Tropical SolaRoof Garden provides shelter and shade from living leaf canopy of plants, which can cool and provide food

Contact Information: Richard Nelson Director, Inventor, Entrepreneur Life Synthesis LLP (Social Ethical Enterprise, Network Coordinator and Holding Company) 140 Hayling Road United Kingdom Tel: 44 (0)7985 193731 Email: solaroof@yahoo.com

Last comment added: Sun, 18 May 2008 19:29:30 PDT

meet mr solaroof - why ony photosynthesis networkers can save us all

Breaking news posted in detail in own post at bottom of thread: Rick Nelson is hosting a collaboration cafe New York Oct 11 at 11.15 am venue Olive Cafe location: 117 McDougal Street which is close to West 3rd Street just South of Washington Park. -----------------------------

here is part of a conversation around people who connect world leading experiment in grassroots up power - please find others who you know to be in the same revolutionary space- let's set ourselves a goal of a 10 times better for the world way of inviting travellers to buy carbon user reinsurance than the average plant a tree

chris writes to stewart of the briliant http://barefootpower.com and invites a circulated email list to get weaving

Here are some dotted lines. I dont know how to connect them though I specifically chose the circulation list on this email because you all could do

1 Rick solaroof nelson with friends such as anne http://www.ned.com/user/u648265411/ , mitchell (brixton's number 1 community entrepreneur) , sofia http://www.ned.com/user/u4358995 68/ (community builder and women entrepreneur for london, Yunus...) promise that it is possible to map out a 10 times better carbon travel reinsurance scheme than plant a tree, and that collecting for a kibera based power project for this slum's 1 million people and 50000 orphans would be a first such case

2 Samuel's https://www.omidyar.net/group/community-general/news/1747/ (an unseen hero I first microfinanced after being deeply upset by american idol and other place) number 1 missions in life in rural Kenya relate to orphans ; and his friends also shoot grassroots films of orphans across kenya; we dont know yet how to edit them into youtube formats though Guilhem in London and many of his hi-tech friends -eg tav of http://green.tv - are looking at that content; this could have been particularly relevant in 2007 because american idol fundraise 50 million dollars using stories of kibera child and then never gave a cent back to the grassroots at kibera (a typical bono-esque replay of global aid that telethons on both sides of the atlantic now serially replay -so near and yet so far from http://peoplepower.jp ) http://kibera.tv http://africanidol.tv

3 Peter Burgess of http://tr-ac-net.org and end malaria http://www.ned.com/group/econo-p olitics/news/6/ : tracks more grassroots transparency projects across africa than anyone I have met; Lesley fundraises in London for more grassroots projects than other fundraisers I have met (not that I have developed fundraiser networking contacts). Elfneh is intending to help london develop fundraising networks by going to the upcoming Tom Hunter conference on how to get grassroots funding from the rich.

Other Places better Media and Dubliner: Clare Mulvany http://www.omidyar.net/user/u680173710/ http://exceptional-lives.blogspo t.com will be in London on Friday 21 Sept and meeting eg sofia; Wangari Maathai is one of the great grassoots coordinates for common sense on energy; london should find a way to engage both Sir Nick Stern and Richard Branson the huge door openers to grassroots up energy networks if only what you and rick practice can blend with Maathai's advocacy of communities who as yet dont bhave any energy at all

Sofia's friend Taddy Blecher in CIDA south africa http://cidaworld.tv wants to peer to peer open source sustainability curricula and Rick is chatting up Schumacher College to see if they will join forces in doing this. India wants to completely revise all educational curricula on peer to peer practices of sustainability, and to have completed this by 2020 at the very latest, but I need to transfer more of my relatinship mapping time to India from Africa so that we can flow with Abdul Kalam's world leading challenge to youth in this regard. Rick may also be relocating his photosynthesis agriculture and architecture networks primarily to Dublin.

There are probably lots of other dots to try and get on to the same map at the same time; and if Yunus gives us londoners freedoms to invite 1000 most collaborative people to meeting then all of the above will be one of the clusters we try and network weave to unite with his offer to chnage the globe with Yunus

Mostofa is london's most connected person with Yunus citizen forums and in Warwick we also have the co-founder of Yunus Pop group http://www.thegreenchildren.org/ tgcf/community/tom/ which also storytells for Kenya, and he can probably find out how fast Yunus free university is accelerating and whether it wants any grassroots power peer to peer correspondentnce courses, as well as possibly what is Yunus own apprasal of how well his green nergy businesses are evolving

hope someone else will add links that I have forgotten - just a starter mail in case there is a power up africa community to form round this circulation list

cheers chris

Stewart Craine <@barefootpower.com> wrote: Hi Chris,

I have heard and researched the basics of Wangari Mattahai, as we are starting projects in Kenya early next year. I have a contact at Kibera, one of Africa's largest slums, in Nairobi, which is our starting point, and if this can attract the attention of Wangari's group, we can then push into rural areas with a grassroots push by women, which would be great. I have one link to a small women's microfinance group in Kenya, which will also be a good example to show Wangari's group, but these things take time to get together.

We presented at the world summit of microfinance last October, and this gave us contact with about 60 microfinance institutions, some of whom are very focused on women, some who are not. We are also concentrating in the Pacific, though these MFIs are small and generally do not have a high focus on women (though women probably account for more than 50% of the clients).

So the long answer is yes, we do network with women-focused MFIs a bit, and will do so far more next year. It is mostly women who use kerosene lighting inside houses, so it should be of big interest to them to hear about a product that improves the indoor living condition. If any of the above is interesting to Sofia or the rest of your group, please complete the CC, but I though best to spare their inbox the clutter of this long reply.....

Stewart

Last comment added: Sat, 15 Dec 2007 06:35:46 PST

SolaRoof Q&A's

Some Q&A to SolaRoof formed as part of a competition entry! Will work on a better representation soon!

What is LifeSynthesis and SolaRoof Technology?

LifeSynthesis is set up to deliver and teach about zero carbon structures that provide all the essential needs of an individual, family or community; such as shelter, food, water, fuel and clean room potential for cell culture cultivation and medicine. Cost assessable for poor as well as rich, and extremely well adaptable to almost any climate, situation and terrain. Based on SolaRoof Technology which uses two key Open Source patents, 'Liquid Bubble Insulation' and 'Liquid Cooling', within a cavity of 0.5-1 meter between two layers of transparent material. This climate controlled system provides plants with an ultimate environment to convert solar energy and CO2, and the water workings collect the solar power as well as control inside humidity. If system operates as an enclosed environment structure, water transpiration can be collected as pure water regardless of water input, and CO2 enrichment of about 1000 ppm will be trapped so all is guaranteed to be consumed by the inside plants, and plant productivity could be increased 10 folds. 'Liquid Cooling' can be operate within separate cavity to consist of algae solution for bio fuel, resulting in up to 5 pounds per sq foot. If enriched with CO2, again within a closed looped system, some algae change consistency from 10-60% oil - ideal for carbon neutral fuel and the only carbon sequestration that makes good sense as it can then be utilised when needed as CO2 is essential plant food! We're about greening of deserts; Fighting poverty; Elimination of food, water and fuel scarcity; No more danger of loosing essential crops due to climate fluctuations or insect pests; Avert Climate Change; Make Povery History; and Steps towards World Peace!

2. Other key points: - 80-90% reduction in heating and cooling needs, and reliant of 12 volt battery for a few minutes every hour to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures in extreme hot as well as extreme cold climates. - Much of the lighting needs as based on transparent building envelopes. - Produce food, water, fuel, and feed locally reducing air miles to zero! - Little or no need for fertilisers from fossil fuels. - No need for fuel from fossil fuel for operations, gas, electrics or transport. - SolaRoof structures can be converting CO2 emissions from power stations and other CO2 emitting activities by establishing SolaRoof greenhouses nearby that produce food, feed, or bio crops as well as algae, and the produce can be consumed within enclosed biodigestors to create methane that in turn can fuel the power station or factory etc. This will then ease off our fossil fuel dependence, and the surplus can be stored till CO2 levels drop. - Structures are lightweight reducing transport emissions, and made from totally recyclable and durable materials, that can be repaired locally.

3. Can CO2 reductions be measured? Due to the many ways SolaRoof both reduce emissions, reduce transport, produce alternative fuel and sequester CO2, the calculations are complex, but should be straight forward.

4. Tell me more... The product recipe is Open Source and geared towards DIY applications for quickest possible worldwide implementation. All materials can be sourced or produced locally within most communities, from polyethylene bags and car fans etc. Commercial greenhouses and mobile structures are designed my inventor Richard Nelson and engineering firm Max Fordham www.maxfordham.com and manufactured by The Alom Group www.alomgroup.com, and architectural applications can use these principle designs or adapt technology for specific purposes. Facilitators will be train to teach other users and teachers.

5. How much? Not much if consumers are resourceful and £100 p/M2 for state of the state of art greenhouse structure. Creative Commons License encourage to 'Pay It Forward' of private users to charitable cause of choice, and an Honour Payment to the SolaRoof Community for commercial usage. An online transparency register will help ensure companies does honour this and will thus receive good PR.

6. Who is it for? Those who wants a building that reduce bills, improve indoor climate and feels any responsibility for the planet, charities working for people in need and future generations. Governments, food producers, energy producers, communities, individuals. Many more will use the information readily available for DIY applications, or pay for training and consultancy for independent construction.

7. Goals: Lead by example! Create many SolaRoof ecovillages, hotels and B&B's, centres and projects all over the world using the technology in various ways.

8. Why? Living buildings that has a positive impact on the environment; a negative carbon footprint is the dream come reality! This is the one holistic answer to overpopulation, fuel shortage, water shortage, food shortage, climate change, global warming and war! Need I say more!

9. Financial needs? The more the better. £500,000 would create many great SolaRoof learning centres that could generate it's own income, and lend zero interest start-up loans to others. Structures will pay for themselves in one year, and thus enabling rapid spread.

10. What's to come? Many mega projects producing oil from algae, food, biotechnology cell cultivation and thousands of pilot projects by individuals already at a planing stage. Numerous smaller and larger eco communities on all continents. A large amount of world food securely produced within SolaRoof greenhouses giving previous agricultural back to nature. Much of livestock housed within such structures, and many architectural applications underway. Inventive all-in-one structures with livestock on ground floor, living space, then greenhouse and and garden on roof. Many charities building schools or hospitals with greenhouse roofs. Green oasis in the desert converting sea water to fresh water by growing salt water plants for feed or fuel, then using transpiration for food crops and drinking. Bio fuel from algae a huge hit, with bi-product a great fertiliser or food supplement. Many centres that combine and promote the use of SolaRoof, Integrated Food & Waste Management Systems, Terra Preda, Neem and other Open Source knowledge.

Last comment added: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 07:16:41 PDT

I want to heat and cool an office above my garage

I have an unfinished room above my garage, and I am slowly planning and mulling how to make it into a marvel of renewable energy.

I am pretty set on pouring a concrete floor for radiant heating, which will add lots of thermal mass. I'd like to control the temperature of that slab with some combination of evaporative cooling, a oil-fired boiler (I live in Vermont, where we have little sun an cold winters) and or active solar. I'm also considering a geo-thermal "well" too.

Does Sola Roof (liquidbubbles) only work for steel & glass buildings? Could I use the technology as part of a 2"x4" framed wooden room? (Large 4' high x 16" skylights with liquidbubbles perhaps?)

Any suggestions on helping me build my uber-office?

Thanks!

Last comment added: Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:44:52 PDT

Welcome Richard Nelson

Richard Nelson was the founder of the Sustainable_Living group on Omidyar.net and was the first person I met there. Like many others, Richard found O.net to be not worth the effort and went on to work through his solaroof wiki.

Welcome Richard - what have you been doing with yourself?

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