Organic Buildings unveiled its latest crop of bio-solar systems today and set its sights on the moon. Investment in nano-technology linked to the natural photosynthetic energy cycle has opened up huge markets.

Thin plastic ‘leaves’ that once powered device sized skins for phones and computers are being used to power whole buildings. These ‘leaf canopies’ capture sunlight from all directions even in diffuse lighting conditions, just like plant leaves.

Building wall panels mimic the natural photosynthesis cycle using the latest Chemophyll Photon Fuel on nano-structure catalysts. These rigid panels use light to directly convert rain water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Elsewhere, transparent Dyesol Cells have replaced windows and combine with traditional high output silicon solar cells on the roof to complete the system.

The hydrogen feeds fuel cells and also recharges hydrogen powered cars in the garage overnight. The only waste is fresh water. Together the combined bio-solar system produces all the building’s energy needs.

Organic Buildings Inc has developed its systems rapidly as the technologies have exceeded expectations on scalability and have proven easy to graft onto older properties. It is only eight years since Michael Gratzel won the Millennium Technology Prize for Dyesol cells and fifteen years since photo-electric-synthesis research first caught the light.

But for a really new market, Organic Buildings is looking to the moon. The Chinese Space Agency is set to build its 2022 polar moon base with photo-synthetic walls and ultra thin skins. Following the confirmation of sub-surface ice, biological buildings will provide complete energy and environmental self sufficiency on the lunar surface.