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Blacksburg, Va., Oct. 20 -- Clean energy: The solar panels on the Perry Street Garage soak up sunlight to make clean energy. Photo: Samantha Hill
The BigBelly trashcans use solar energy to crush and compress the trash and recyclables inside. According to BigBelly’s website, this creates an increased capacity of more than 150 gallons.
The bins also save energy in a different way. According to Waste Management, the BigBelly trashcans cause fewer collections, which in turn means less greenhouse gas emissions from the garbage trucks.
On a larger scale, Virginia Tech’s Perry Street Garage installed solar, or photovoltaic, panels on the fifth level. Though the sizeable panels can be seen from over a block away, what some consider an eyesore contributes a substantial amount of clean energy.
Baseline Solar, partnered with Altenergy Inc., mounted five long solar panels to soak up the sunlight. According to Baseline Solar’s website, the panels produce enough clean energy to power 13 homes, offsetting the burning of more than 5 tons of coal each month.
From the top of the Perry Street Garage, what appears to be a shiny trailer sits across the Perry Street. This is Lumenhaus, the third solar house designed and built as a Virginia Tech research program.
According to the Lumenhaus website, the “lumen” portion of the name translates to “the power of light.” This modern, simplistic-appearing house utilizes sunlight as an energy source.
The roof of the Lumenhaus is enveloped in solar panels. The house also has an electric actuator, allowing the homeowner to tilt the panels to an ideal angle. These panels provide carbon-neutral energy to the house.
Another way the sun is utilized is through the Lumenhaus’s Eclipsis System. According to the Lumenhaus website, the system has two layers: a metal shutter shade and a translucent insulating panel. The system protects homeowners from harsh, direct sunlight and provides natural lighting and privacy. The translucent portion is filled with a substance called Aerogel. Aerogel insulates the house as well as a solid wall without limiting natural light. This system saves energy that would have been used on unnatural lighting and heating systems.
By working together with outside companies and community members, Virginia Tech utilizes the sun’s energy and continues to invent the future.
Virginia Tech utilizes the sun in sustainability efforts
From trashcans to unique housing, Virginia Tech uses the sun to become more environmentally friendly.
By Samantha Hill
Whether it is in the middle of July or the beginning of February, the sun beams down onto Virginia Tech’s campus, offering nutrients to plants, warmth for community members and a source of light. Now, Virginia Tech utilizes solar power to create and sustain energy.
Across campus, community members may notice bizarre, large trashcans. The BigBelly trashcans have two sections: a waste section and a recycle section. What make the bins so unique are the solar panels on top of the bin.
Solarize Blacksburg
Outside of Virginia Tech, a local initiative called Solarize Blacksburg gives community members the opportunity to have solar panels installed on their homes. According to the Solarize Blacksburg website, about 464 people joined the movement.
The initiative is a partnership between Community Housing Partners and VA SUN, and Blacksburg’s solar advocates and installers. On the website, Solarize Blacksburg lists the process as:
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Getting a free site assessment to determine if the home is a good candidate for solar.
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Lining up special financing and receiving a discount.
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Working with local contractors and installing panels.
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Generating electricity to use or sell back to the utility.
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Starting to save on utility bills.
Screenshot: Solarizeblacksburg.org