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- Solar City Tower by RAFAAThis renewable energy generating tower located on the coast of <a href="../2009/10/19/rios-paineiras-hotel-to-receive-eco-renovation/" target="_blank">Rio</a> is one of the first buildings we’ve seen designed for the 2016 Rio Olympics, and boy, is it crazy! (In case you didn't notice, it's also a waterfall.) The Solar City Tower is designed by Zurich-based <a href="http://www.rafaa.ch/" target="_blank">RAFAA Architecture & Design</a>, and features a large solar system to generate power during the day and a pumped water storage system to generate power at night. RAFAA's goal is that a symbolic tower such as this can serve as a starting point for a global green movement and help make the 2016 <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/12/will-london-2012-be-the-green-olympics/" target="_blank">Olympic Games more sustainable</a>.1
- Solar City Tower by RAFAAThe self-sustaining tower for the 2016 Olympic Games is designed to create <a href="../energy" target="_blank">renewable energy</a> for use in the <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/02/17/olympic-athletes-village-greenest-neighborhood-in-the-world/" target="_blank">Olympic Village</a> as well as the city of Rio.2
- Solar City Tower by RAFAAA large <a href="../solar-power/" target="_blank">solar power</a> plant generates energy during the day. Any excess power not used during the day is utilized to pump seawater into a storage tank within the tower.3
- Solar City Tower by RAFAAAt night, the water is released to power turbines, which will provide nighttime power for the city. On special occasions water is pumped out to create a <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/11/24/eden-falls-skyscraper-zoo-topped-with-a-waterfall/" target="_blank">waterfall</a> over the edges of the building, which RAFAA <a href="http://www.rafaa.ch/rafaa/rio_de_janeiro.html" target="_blank">says</a> will be, "a symbol for the forces of nature."4
- Solar City Tower by RAFAAInfo on the size of the solar and pumped water storage system is not available yet.5
- Solar City Tower by RAFAAAccess to the <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/08/water-purification-skyscraper-purifies-jakarta-rivers/" target="_blank">eco tower</a> is gained through an urban plaza and amphitheater 60 meters above sea level, which can be used for social gatherings.6