The Solar Ark is a symbol of goal of achieving a "clean energy society." As well as being a center for local community activities, it has become a local landmark. The design of the Solar Ark was inspired by the vision of an ark embarking onto a journey toward the 21st Century. Only four columns are used to support the entire structure, thus giving the impression of floating in the air. Photo: SANYO Solar

SANYO Solar is one of the most important international solar companies.
For more than 30 years we have been setting standards for the development of new, innovative und high performance photovoltaic products.

Because SANYO has focused on renewable energies technologies, we are significantly contributing to ensuring that the rising worldwide demand for energy can continue to be met in the future.


The Solar Ark


The Solar Ark is a symbol of goal of achieving a "clean energy society."

The Solar Ark Photo: SANYO Solar

As well as being a center for local community activities, it has become a local landmark.

The Solar Ark Photo: SANYO Solar

The Solar Ark, a unique, ark-shaped, solar photovoltaic power generation facility, offers activities to cultivate a better appreciation of solar power generation, and thereby of both ecology and science.

The Solar Ark Photo: SANYO Solar

This 315m-wide, 37m-tall facility is located in Gifu Prefecture, in the geographical center of Japan, and can be seen from the JR Tokaido bullet train, which runs past on an adjacent railway track.

The Solar Ark Photo: SANYO Solar

Stationed at the center of the Solar Ark is the Solar Lab, a museum of solar energy and one of the more unusual museums in the world.

The Solar Ark Photo: SANYO Solar

A unique, hands-on, outdoor light exhibition will be launched here in 2005, for the first time in Japan.

In the future, expect a variety of interesting things to emanate from here.


What we are trying to express through the SOLAR ARK


Just what is "a prosperous life?"
And what is necessary to ensure that it lasts into the future?

The 21st century has been named the century of the environment.

The Solar Ark Photo: SANYO Solar

Finding solutions to environmental problems is something we cannot ignore if we want to ensure the future of mankind.

What is necessary right now is to improve the awareness of each and every one of us, so we can accumulate the strength and ability needed to solve this problem.
It's also a matter of generating the wisdom needed to live in harmony with the earth.

The Solar Ark Photo: SANYO Solar

It is because of this that we would like to work with our children - who will bear with them the responsibility for the future - to develop an empathy for both science and ecology.

With this in mind, we created the SOLAR ARK project as a place where people can feel the vital importance of the environment, as well as the enjoyment and wonder of science.

The Solar Ark Photo: SANYO Solar

We hope to continue to work on this project together with your help - to develop and expand the SOLAR ARK project so that it participates in society on a larger scale, and provides a link to a more prosperous life for the people of the world.
This is our wish.


About the Logo


Animals, fish, birds, flowers and plants; Mountains, oceans and sky; People alone and in communities - all live in harmony with the Earth.

The Solar Ark the ark - which carries a message of science and ecology to meet the challenges of the future.


Presentation System


412 lighting units are mounted between the solar modules.
Each unit measures 120 mm in diameter and consists of 51 red, green and blue LEDs.

The entire system is computer-controlled to create a variety of images and characters.
Unique and subtle color gradations, pictures, and characters are displayed to create seasonal presentations.

The Solar Ark sports over 77,200 LED light panels.

While an LED light panel has a lower maximum luminance than a neon sign, it is capable of producing much more detailed images.
It is because of that advantage that LEDs are used on many fashionable buildings in Ginza (Tokyo) and Shinsaibashi (Osaka).

Another advantage of LEDs is their low power consumption.
Using just a seventh of the power of a neon light, an LED offers economic efficiency and environmental conservation.


Solar Ark

Total length
315 m

Height (max.)
37.1 m

Height (center)
31.6 m

Depth
13.7 m

Total weight
Approx. 3,000 t


Solar cells

Number of solar cell panels
5,046

Maximum solar cell output
630 kW

Annual power output
Approx. 530,000 kWh

CO2 reduction
167 t – CO2/year

Constructor
SANYO Solar Energy Systems Co., Ltd.


Aqua Clean System


The water is kept clean with the SANYO Aqua Clean system, a SANYO invention that is used in SANYO detergent-free washing machines.

The Solar Ark Photo: SANYO Solar

The system electrolyzes the water to produce hypochlorous acid which cleans the water constantly in addition to preventing the growth of Legionella bacteria, a major cause of serious lung diseases.

The Aqua Clean system uses no eye- or skin-damaging chlorine.
This makes it ideal for use as a water purification system for pools and hot spas.


SANYO Solight System


The rest rooms are located in the windowless space under the west cascade, which is lit by the Solights installed in the pool above.

The Solar Ark Photo: SANYO Solar

Solight is a unique lighting apparatus equipped with a compact motor driven by a small solar cell.
It automatically changes its direction as the sun moves, in order to receive the optimum sunlight, which is then used as a natural light source.


Solar Wing


Wings made of solar batteries spread out before you at the entrance to the Solar Ark.

The Solar Ark Photo: SANYO Solar

The wings consist of HIT solar cells which generate electric power on both the top side and underside of the cells, and which are sandwiched between tempered glass plates.

These cells generate electricity while also functioning as awnings that allow sunlight to filter through and create a pleasant dappled effect.


Ark Halls


Here you can see eye-pleasing materials being used to create a space with a light motif.

The Solar Ark Photo: SANYO Solar

These halls can be used for group visits, small- to mid-sized conferences and other events.

Meetings for the Gifu Global Environment Program are also held here.
This program is hosted by the NPO Nature Science Club, a joint venture of Gifu prefecture and the local communities.


Solar Energy Museum


The Solar Lab displays a range of activities which aim to bring about a "clean energy society."
Its focus is to present exhibitions that create an interest in global environmental issues, as well as to raise the profile of photovoltaic science among the younger generation - our future leaders.

The Solar Ark. Solar Energy Museum Photo: SANYO Solar

We hope for this museum to become a life-affirming place where new activities will be created by visitors, staff, business enterprises, and regional communities.
A place where we all pause for reflection and make discoveries about the various interconnections between the sun, global environmental issues, photovoltaic science, and humankind.

The Solar Lab's Activities

1. To foster scientific thinking and an understanding of ecology in the minds of children ― our future leaders.

2. To provide information about humankind's relationship with the Earth.

3. To contribute to the local community by supporting the creation of an ecologically-focused town.

4. Through the above activities, to generate proposals for future projects.


Large-Scale Solar Power Generation Facility


The design of the Solar Ark was inspired by the vision of an ark embarking onto a journey toward the 21st Century.

Only four columns are used to support the entire structure, thus giving the impression of floating in the air.


http://sanyo.com/solarark/en/index.html


ASTROMAN magazine