Thus, the city of Gronau (North Rhine-Westphalia) in Germany unveils in 2023 the solar facade of its new administrative building. ASCA's organic photovoltaic (OPV) modules are directly integrated into the glass of the facade, laminated in collaboration with the glassmaker BGT Bischoff Glastechnik GmbH, giving life to one of the largest photovoltaic glazings on the market.
Ularge photovoltaic glass facade
Designed in collaboration with the architectural firm H III S (harder stumpfl schramm freie Architekten of Stuttgart), the city of Gronau in Germany will unveil its new administrative building in 2023, equipped with a double-skin glass facade capable of producing electricity thanks to OPV modules from ASCA, an ARMOR GROUP company. These are directly integrated into the glass of the facade, laminated in partnership with the glassmaker BGT Bischoff Glastechnik GmbH, giving life to one of the largest photovoltaic glazing on the market. With a height of 3,66 m and a width of 2,25 m, each solarized glazing is installed on the south facade of the building with a total surface area of 222 m2, alternating with traditional glazing. The solar energy produced by the ASCA modules is directly injected into the building's electrical network.
“We are proud to have produced, in collaboration with BGT, the largest transparent glass modules capable of generating energy thanks to our solar technology. Especially since their production is simple, approaching that of standard laminated glazing, thus making it possible to meet the expectations of architects and designers without however representing a technical obstacle for integrators. This project is an important step for the integration of photovoltaics in the building envelope (BIPV)” explains Hermann Issa, Senior Vice President Business Development and Project Management at ASCA.
A multifunction solar façade integrated into its environment
In keeping with the aesthetics of the urban landscape, ASCA has developed custom-designed green solar modules inspired by the brick facades of the building. In addition, while the solar windows are transparent from the inside, they are translucent from the outside, thus guaranteeing employees a working environment that is both bright and intimate.
“We are delighted to have been able to collaborate with ASCA on this architectural project and we were impressed by the great design possibilities offered by the ASCA® film. With this solar solution, we were able to give life to a façade that has now become a showcase of sustainability” comments the architectural firm H III S.
Accelerate the deployment of renewable energies
While the objective of the REPowerEU plan published in May 2022 aims to reach 600 GW of solar capacity in Europe by 20301, France is struggling to achieve its renewable energy development targets2. However, on January 10, 2023, the National Assembly voted a bill relating to the acceleration of the production of renewable energies including several amendments directly related to the integration of innovative solar solutions into buildings, alternatives to traditional solar panels. .3
"There is an urgent need to reduce the energy consumption of the building sector, which represents 44% of the energy consumed in France and which emits more than 123 million tonnes of CO2 each year on the territory.4. With the national objective of reducing energy consumption by 10% by 2024, construction is one of the key areas in the fight against global warming and the energy transition. However, French regulations do not take into account the concept of BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaics) allowing the functional integration of solar solutions in combination or as a replacement for conventional building materials. However, our low-carbon solar solutions, compatible with a multitude of materials, make it possible to solarize surfaces hitherto unused by existing solar solutions such as facades, light roofs, glazing or even railings. At a time when administrations are called upon to set an example in terms of energy sobriety, this project with the city of Gronau in Germany illustrates in particular the range of possibilities offered by solar energy to finally switch to low-carbon public buildings. concludes Moïra Asses, Strategy and Marketing Director of ASCA.
1 https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/repowereu-affordable-secure-and-sustainable-energy-europe_fr
2 Amending referral to the bill relating to the acceleration of renewable energies (NOR: ENR2223572L/Rose-2)
3 https://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/dyn/16/amendements?dossier_legislatif=DLR5L16N46539&examen=EXANR5L16PO419610B0443P0D1
4 https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/energie-dans-batiments