IBC Solar has recently installed modern solar panels on the roof of the Hermitage Amsterdam museum, which dates from 1861 and is one of the most historical buildings in Amsterdam. This way, the Hermitage aims to contribute to the social movement of sustainability and to its own green ambitions. But making monumental buildings more sustainable is not easy. With the installation of solar panels on the roof of the Hermitage, IBC Solar ensures a safe and high-quality supply of sustainable electricity.
Many museums are located in monumental buildings. Many valuable works of art are kept within the walls of museums that need to be protected against damage caused by too much or too little daylight. Nevertheless, the climate of the exhibition rooms must also be well regulated to preserve the valuable art. The Hermitage undertakes sustainable initiatives to overcome these challenges.
Solar panels for an optimal museum climate
IBC Solar provides a solution for the latter issue. The crucial air conditioning of the monumental building is partially running on solar energy through installed solar panels. The expectation is that more than 80,000 kWh of sustainable electricity can be generated in the first year, which is roughly equivalent to 30 households. This way, the climate of the exhibition rooms can also be optimally and sustainably controlled while the rooms offer a safe home for the art.
Sebastiaan Lagendaal, Head of Facilities & Security Hermitage Amsterdam: “After an intensive tendering process, we opted for IBC Solar. They understood our additional requirements with regard to the structural installation of the PV panels and additional fire safety requirements. As the owner of a national monument, you want a partner to treat your building with the same amount of respect and care as you do which occasionally requires a different approach or more preliminary research. IBC Solar took on this challenge with us. "
High level of difficulty due to monumental requirements
Making monumental buildings sustainable is often a complicated job due to all kinds of extra regulations and (quality) requirements. The installation of solar panels, therefore, has been quite challenging. For example, the solar panels are not allowed to be visible from public spaces and several permits are required prior to installing the panels. In addition to regulations, such a project also has a higher degree of difficulty from a construction engineering perspective. As no modifications can be made to the monumental building, installation applications such as conventional roof hooks are also not allowed. Furthermore, the building has different roof shapes. In collaboration with the constructors involved, the IBC SOLAR project department has found the right solution. The IBC Solar TopFix 200 mounting system offers sufficient possibilities to build a high-quality installation.
Doubled quality control during the installation
Due to the high level of difficulty, IBC Solar has doubled the quality control during the installation. All actions were measured, tested and checked at least twice, both mechanically and electrically. After extensive coordination and collaboration with all parties involved, IBC SOLAR has delivered a high-quality installation.
Harold Salden, IBC Solar Netherlands: “IBC Solar accepted the great challenge of providing a monumental building from 1683 with solar panels. Thanks to efficient climate control, insulation and a multiple use of thermal storage with the neighboring Hortus Botanicus, the Hermitage is able to reduce its energy consumption even more and to make it more sustainable from now on. The care and responsibility that the Hermitage pursues in terms of sustainability is in line with our ideas.” (HCN)
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