5,000 solar panels creating 500,000 kWh of energy per year, that is the Solar Ark by Sanyo. Located in Japan, next to Sanyo’s semiconductor factory in Gifu, this incredible structure is a hybrid system made of crystal silicon and thin-film amorphous silicon with a 14-15% efficiency.
Originally the material was put aside to create a very similar structure, but due to the Sanyo’s monocrystalline cell scandal, all the PV’s were recalled. Now Sanyo have used those recalled PV’s to make this 315 meter long solar power museum with multi-media exhibits, a solar lab and rooms for solar or environmental events.
It’s a truly amazing structure and works as a monument to solar power, as well as generating enough power to power around 30-40 average homes. With solar technology getting better daily, some scientists talking 60%, the solar structures of the future will do more then draw in tourists.

For a whole lot more info, jump over to Inhabitat.