ABSTRACT

When Foster + Partners first introduced photovoltaic technology into one of its schemes back in 1975, both the technology and

the reasoning behind its use was in its infancy. The Gomera

Masterplan-a tourist development on the Canary Island of

Gomera-aimed to encourage self-sustaining development based on

a combination of indigenous construction techniques and renewable

resources. Crucially, the island’s constant sunshine and steadywinds

made it a natural test-bed for solar power.