In Schallstadt, southwest of Freiburg, architect Rolf Disch has constructed buildings that generate more energy than they consume. Solar modules in the facade provide most of the solar power for heating and mobility.
The new mounting systems from K2 Systems enable systematic and rapid installation on vertical facades. The system is suitable for trapezoidal sheet metal and sandwich panels as well as for brickwork and concrete.
The inlay transforms facades into power suppliers. In addition, the VHF system ensures high thermal insulation values and very good sound insulation. The Sto rear-ventilated facades (VHF) consist of an insulation layer and a substructure into which the thin-film double-glazed modules are set and secured against lateral displacement.
The system that the project partners are developing is intended to simplify the use of facades for photovoltaics. Part of the solution will also be published as a VDI guideline.
Energie 360 Grad will install solar panels on the roof and facade of its headquarters as planned. Due to a lack of in-depth knowledge about the fire risk, the Canton of Zurich building insurance company had not authorised photovoltaic systems on facades in the meantime. The company has now successfully provided a test certificate with its own tests.
Manufacturer S-Flex has developed an insertion system that is suitable for sloping roofs as well as facades. Basically, the system is based on two C-rails that are screwed to the wall connection. The installer inserts the modules between them.
For BIPV applications, coloured PV modules are an attractive alternative to the conventional black and blue ones. The Swiss module manufacturer Megasol Energie is now licensing the Fraunhofer ISE-developed Morphocolor technology for its modules.
The structured facade elements collect solar heat and transfer it to the heat pump circuit. In this way, they can raise the flow temperature for heat pumps.
For economical and energy-efficient building projects, K2 Systems and the manufacturer of building elements Fischer Profil have now coordinated and certified their products.
A futuristic building has been erected in Basel whose facade is surrounded by organic solar foils. They provide the energy for art animations, among other things, with which the facade is illuminated after sunset.
Sonnenkraft from Carinthia in Austria is investing 8.5 million euros in a new production line for solar modules for building integration. The new modules are suitable for facades, terraces, carports, fences, balconies or roofing.
The renovation rate in the building sector is still too low to achieve the energy transition within the timeframe envisaged by the German government. One step in this direction can be a greater degree of prefabrication of building components.
Spanish BIPV specialist Onyx Solar is building a giant solar facade as part of the refurbishment of the Sterling Bank headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria. This is already the second lighthouse project in Africa that the company is implementing.
In Stuttgart, Armor Solar Power Films and BGT Bischoff Glastechnik have clad an apartment building with organic solar cells. BGT is adding the organic solar safety glass to its regular portfolio.
The Canadian manufacturer of BIPV products is offering a solar cladding solution for which it was short-listed for this year’s The smarter E Awards.
