Dozens of large solar panels are being fixed to the exterior of Monaco's Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion to power the building throughout the six-month fair next year.
Engineers and architects of the world’s second smallest country have been installing the panels on the unusually shaped windows at the top of the structure in a way that represents the country's craggy rock faces.
These will be connected to the grid in December to charge before the fair opens in October next year.
The polygon-shaped structure was designed to be powered using the photovoltaic panels under Monaco’s commitment to sustainably operating its pavilion.
Once the core and shell is completed, the €9 million ($10.64m) pavilion will be closed and kept under surveillance until it reopens at the end of May for final interior work and installation of a wastewater treatment system.
Spread over different levels, to replicate the maze of streets in Monaco, visitors are being promised a visual kaleidoscopic experience as they walk through a fantasy garden that makes up an exhibition centre.
Organisers hope the architecture will evoke the historic old city neighbourhood referred to as the Rock, or Le Rocher, for the cliff that overlooks the Mediterranean.
As one of the world’s most densely populated countries, Monaco is looking to embrace green initiatives as part of its vision for the future.
Albert Croesi, commissioner general of Monaco's pavilion, said taking part in Expo gave the country an opportunity to be included in a gathering that would enable intellectual, commercial and financial exchanges.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for a country like the Principality of Monaco to be able to share with the public its historical patrimony, its cultural and even culinary heritage. It’s also a place to share great environmental actions and sustainable innovations that lead the path towards a better future,” Mr Croesi said.
“We believe that an event such as Expo 2020 Dubai is the perfect place to raise awareness, meet counterparts and share environmental concerns.”
Monaco is keen to present its efforts in environment and ecology at an event it said will “bring together a world recovering from this pandemic around a common goal: Connecting minds, creating the future".
Expo 2020 Dubai was postponed to October next year because of the Covid-19 outbreak.
More than 190 countries have confirmed participation and are constructing their pavilions at the Dubai South district near Al Maktoum International Airport.
About 25 million visits are expected during the six-month World Fair.
