The sustainable building association

AECB Home Page -

The AECB is a network of individuals and companies with a common aim of promoting sustainable building. It brings together builders, architects, designers, manufacturers, housing associations and local authorities, to develop, share and promote best practice in environmentally sustainable building. We pride ourselves on our independence, relevance and practicality.

Thoughts and feedback on passive solar related topics

Sustainable design, passive solar house HTM holistic housing consultation packages for the earthhome do-it-yourselfer.

You can be energy-free, free from mechanical climate control systems with a truly sustainable zero-energy home design. Our site is packed with plenty of free information, so please take the time to read this passive solar chapter and all of its detail pages (left click on any image). Learn why high thermal mass (HTM™) dry stack block, mortared concrete block, or poured-in-place concrete wall construction is a much better answer than super-insulated (high R value) air-tight construction for any climate. Conventional stick framing, log homes, strawbale, autoclaved aerated concrete and especially insulated concrete forms ("ICF's") are simply not feasible, passive solar, sustainable design materials because they don't effectively store and release energy. For truly sustainable passive solar construction, the building material of choice is high thermal mass.

Earthships around the world

Earthships are an interesting topic for those who want to keep building costs to a minimum and build the house themselves. Comfort doesnt have to be sacrificed as you can see here.

Michael Reynolds, the Garbage Warrior provides extensive information on all aspects of earthships:

• Thermal/Solar Heating & Cooling
• Solar & Wind Electricity
• Contained Sewage Treatment
• Building with Natural &
• Recycled Materials
• Water Harvesting
• Food Production

Additional information can be found on the websites below, all focused on earthship-related topics. Most of the sites provide extra information on the local requirements.

Eartships in Brighton (UK, South)
Earthship Fife Center (UK,North)
Earthship (Belgium)
Earthship (Spain)
Earthship Karuna (India)

Cheaper-Than-Silicon Solar Cell Materials

DailyTech - Scientists Find Nine Cheaper-Than-Silicon Solar Cell Materials

Iron pyrite is the top material picked by a University of California at Berkley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to replace silicon in solar cells. While modestly less efficient than crystalline silicon, its dramatic cheaper in processing costs and very abundant. Adopting it as a replacement to silicon or thin films could dramatically cut costs and enable enough production to supply the world's power needs, according to the team. (Source: Crystals Guide

Creating a Home Graywater System

Trathen Heckman takes us on a step-by-step tour of how to make a safe, ecological and legal suburban home graywater system. Follow the water as it drains from the bathroom tub (and sink and laundry) through a unique valve leading into the backyard garden. It flows into an optional wetland and underground pond for filtering. The water is then piped below ground to several destinations in the yard, where it will supply water for plants growing above it. Trathen discusses the process with local government agencies, the system design and construction (with pictures), costs, resource books, and why to undertake a graywater system in the first place.

Solar

Solar Thermal uses solar energy both for heating and generating electricity. Solar thermal energy is free | dasolar.com

"Solar thermal technology comprises three different methods to convert solar energy for use. The first method collects the energy of the sun to heat water or air for direct use in solar home heating. The second method is used by large power utilities to indirectly create electricity through concentrated solar heat energy. The third method, known as passive solar, leverages energy efficiency and the design of a building to regulate the amount of solar energy it receives in order to regulate it's temperature."

Taiwan’s Solar Stadium is 100% Powered by the Sun

Not entirely related to this blog unless you own sports stadium, nevertheless it is impressive enough to be shared here:
Inhabitat » Taiwan’s Solar Stadium is 100% Powered by the Sun

"Taiwan recently finished construction on an incredible solar-powered stadium that will generate 100% of its electricity from photovoltaic technology! Designed by Toyo Ito, the dragon-shaped 50,000 seat arena is clad in 8,844 solar panels that illuminate the track and field with 3,300 lux. The project will officially open later this year to welcome the 2009 World Games."