Sustainable solar tower could light up Rio’s 2016 Games

A waterfall-shaped tower to generate clean energy for the 2016 Olympic Games village in Rio and part of the city is what Swiss architecture company RAFAA has in mind.

The tower would be built on Cotonduba Island in Copacabana and would double as a watch tower. According to RAFAA, the tower would harness daytime solar power through ground level panels. Excess energy would be used to pump sea water into the interior of the tower, hence the waterfall effect. The water would then be used to produce nightime electricity.

Culture and leisure are part of the plan, too. The Solar City Tower would feature an amphitheatre, auditorium, coffee shop and shops on the ground level. It would have a public elevator to take people to the observation points and a retractable platform designed for bungee jumping.

So far, the project is just an idea in paper, though. Rio’s tourism office said it has no other information about the project and that it is open to suggestions from those interested in investing in the project. A thorough assessment needs to be carried out to find out whether the Solar City Tower is financially feasible.

To find out more, visit RAFAA.

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