Impressive Solar Powered Buildings

Buildings all over the world are undergoing solar powered facelifts in the name of going green. They harness the sun’s rays and convert them into energy, lessening carbon footprints and taking steps toward sustainability. We’ve found five buildings that soak up the sun to generate electricity.

Dubai’s Vertical Village is a residential, hotel & entertainment facility blanketed in solar panels. A solar roof tops the building and transports energy throughout it like a system of veins.

Photo courtesy of Graft Lab
Manchester’s CIS Tower got a solar makeover when the building’s mosaic tiles began to fall off due to old age and pollution. Now, the skyscraper is covered in solar panels that protect the interior from harsh weather and electronic waste.

Photo courtesy of Hank Green
Blackfriar’s Bridge has donned over 4,000 solar panels to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions. Its design adds an aesthetic and ecological addition to London’s architecture.

Photo courtesy of Network Rail
Chicago’s Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, is fitted with solar panels that will reduce heat gain, making the tallest building in the U.S. more maintainable.

Photo courtesy of Harshil Shah
Abu Dhabi’s picturesque Zayed National Museum showcases the cultural history of the Emirates. Its solar thermal towers draw in cool air, releases it into the museum’s lobby and forces hot air out.

Photo courtesy of Foster + Partners