Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

Photovoltaic (PV) power is generally cost-effective if a site is over 200 yards from theutility grid, and is an attractive alternative to power lines running through a site. 18 PVpower is low-maintenance and very reliable. Its design m u s t be specific to both theregion and the site. It is possible to incorporate PV panels attractively into architecturalelements like windows and roofs. Photovoltaic power requires storage batteries fornighttime lighting. Manufacturers offer solar path-lights, streetlights, and securitylights. Extremely bright all-night lighting is difficult to achieve with PV power; however,as noted above, it is desirable to avoid such lighting strategies. Solar electricity isalso ideal for running pumps, including irrigation systems. Solar-powered water purificationand even solar lawn-mowers are becoming available, and deserveconsideration. 19 For daytime uses, batteries are not usually needed, except where longcloudy periods are common (see Chapter 11, “Renewable Energy”).I➜ R E S O U R C E SISOILSBrady, Nyle C. The Nature and Properties of Soils. 8th ed. New York: Macmillan, 1974.Classic text on the make-up, fertility, and mechanics of soils.Carter, Vernon Gill, and Tom Dale. Topsoil and Civilization. Rev. ed. Norman, Okla.:University of Oklahoma Press, 1974. Sobering account of human dependence on soil.Davidson, Donald A. Soils and Land Use Planning. New York: Longman, 1980. How soilcharacteristics can make or break zoning and development policies.Olson, Gerald W. Field Guide to Soils and the Environment: Applications of Soil Survey. NewYork: Chapman and Hall, 1984. Unlocking the wealth of information found in USCSSoil Surveys.Schiechtl, Hugo. BioEngineering for Land Reclamation and Conservation. Edmonton:University of Alberta Press, 1980. Detailed techniques of soil stabilization and protectionusing live plant structures.U.S. Soil Surveys map soils by county and give information on engineering and ecologicalcharacteristics of site-specific soils. Contact the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, P.O.Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013, 202/447-4543 (Canada: 306/695-2284).PLANT MATERIALSRegional native-landscaping books are essential for ecologically appropriate plantingdesign. If a garden design book does not state which geographic region it covers,assume that it focuses on the Eastern Deciduous Forest region. It is also likely toinclude many British horticultural imports without noting that these are non-native.Cornell University. Bailey Hortorium. Hortus Third: A Concise Dictionary of PlantsCultivated in the United States and Canada. New York: Macmillan, 1976. Standard referenceon plants cultivated in the U.S., including origin. Third or later editions recommended.Druse, Ken. The Natural Garden. New York: Potter, 1989. How to design minimal-maintenancegardens with native plants.Harker, Donald, et. al. Landscape Restoration Handbook. Boca Raton, Fla.: Lewis, 1993.Region-by-region reference (continental U.S.) listing best plants for restoring damagedecosystems; maps and plant-category tables aid selection.Hightshoe, Gary L. Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines for America: A Planting Design Manual forEnvironmental Designers. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1988. Each native speciesillustrated; its growing needs, natural range, and landscape value charted.Smyser, Carol A. Nature’s Design: A Practical Guide to Natural Landscaping. Emmaus, Penn.:Rodale, 1982. Includes regional plant lists and a brief introduction to biological pestcontrols, plus excellent design methodology.