Transparent canopy with integrated photovoltaics

The newly built canopy at Matzleinsdorfer Platz in Vienna is equipped with building-integrated glass-glass modules mady by the German manufacturer SUNOVATION. The expert for building-integrated photovoltaics produced 163 transparent photovoltaic modules in 24 individual shapes and sizes and individually adapted the transparency level within the modules. The multifunctional photovoltaic canopy aesthetically provides protection while generating electricity at the point of consumption.

Customized photovoltaic canopy

The 467 m² building-integrated photovoltaic canopy of the railroad station visually consists of two elements. Narrower areas are covered by cantilevered wing roofs, the wider areas by a construction with integrated photovoltaic skylights. For visual reasons and to increase the energy yield, the modules of the cantilevered roof structure are equipped with bifacial PV cells. The PV cells of the skylight modules were individually arranged: An adjusted spacing of the cells in the areas visible from below visually creates the illusion of a module limited to this space. In the area of the staircase, the cell spacing and thus the degree of transparency were increased in favor of a higher incidence of light. The glass structure of the modules was configured according to static and external requirements at the project site - the overhead glazing is made of laminated safety glass, is walkable and easy to clean.

Power-generating 2-fold insulated glazing

Transparent glass-glass modules SUNOVATION eFORM clear installed in the new building of the Federal Research Institute in Dossenheim. The transparent photovoltaic modules in two sizes were designed as 2-fold insulated glazing and cover the atrium in the center of the building. The atrium is the architectural heart of the building designed by hotz + architekten. It connects different parts of the building and is flooded with light through round ceiling openings that provide a view of the translucent BIPV roofing. Photos: © Atelier Altenkirch

Individual degree of transparency with maximum performance

The 420 m² building-integrated solar roof is configured with a transparency level of 50%. Due to its high-performance crystalline solar cells, the BIPV system achieves an installed power of 39 kWp despite this high degree of transparency, SUNOVATION's special silicone encapsulation process (SCET - SUNOVATION Cell Embedding Technology) enables the direct integration of diodes and electrical connections into the module composite to maximize PV performance. This allows power losses due to partial shading to be reduced and module surfaces to be used more efficiently. As with all transparent modules made by SUNOVATION, the edge connector „Connect 7“ was used for an invisible electrical interconnection of the glass-glass modules. Visually, the modules are completed by a discreet edge printing.

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Customized glass-glass-modules

The former power station located in the center of moskow was restored according to a design by the renowned architect Renzo Piano Building Workshops and transformed into an imposing "cathedral of light". In the process, the historic appearance of the building was taken up and modernized according to the principles of sustainable architecture. 4,578 pieces of building-integrated photovoltaic modules in 212 different geometries were installed. Photos: © Michel Denancé

Exclusive design

An exclusive 5,421 m² glass roof made of building-integrated photovoltaics with an installed capacity of ~ 500 kWp replaces the original glass roof. Renzo Piano chose semi-transparent glass-glass modules from Sunovation, which were individually manufactured according to his designs. He opted for a degree of transparency of ~ 20% as well as an individual design of the PV cells. Their appearance was refined in shape and color by imprints in shades of gray and white on different glass layers.

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Energy generating roof and Shading

One of the largest BIPV solar roofs in the world was designed by Grimshaw Architects for the EXPO in Dubai and completed in early 2020.

The glass roof, which covers an area of over 8,000 m², consists of individual, trapezoidal solar modules that produce massive amounts of energy and at the same time shade and cool the extensive exhibition rooms inside. In addition, the 18 large solar trees in the exhibition area highlight the theme of regenerative energy.  

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Construction

The trapezoidal glass elements were preinstalled in element frames in structural glazing design. Electrical cabling is invisibly installed within the profiles, starting from the edge connections at the glass edge of the glass-glass modules. The solar trees are partially equipped with bifacial cells.

Multifunctional mobility station

This multifunctional building designed by slb_architekten und ingenieure is all about sustainability, e-mobility and cycling. It serves as a monitored bicycle parking garage and offers accompanying products and services on these topics. The design of this unique mobility station was selected in the national competition "Climate protection through cycling".

Sustainable charging stations

The translucent facade consists of a combination of large-format facade glasses and glass-glass modules in a frosted glass look. XL solar glass modules with a height of > 5 m and an area of up to 6.7 m² each were individually manufactured in various sizes and geometries. The cell layout is adapted to the structure of the building. The electricity generated is used to supply e-bike charging stations and lighting for the mobility station.

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Construction

The large-format glass-glass modules are vertical linearly supported. Its weight is intercepted by steel consoles. With the use of edge connections on the glass edges of the modules, the electrical cabling is completely concealed in the mounting profiles.

Modern office building

Sustainable working in a modern office building with a pleasant atmosphere. The facade of the central entrance area as well as the atrium were equipped with translucent, individually adapted solar glass modules. The individually manufactured glass-glass modules are integrated into the building envelope and serve as roofing, shading and energy supplier. Since the modules are designed as double insulating glazing, they have excellent thermal properties. At the same time, their transparency ensures sufficient light to pass through for a light-flooded interior.

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Elegant look

A frameless photovoltaic facade has been adapted individually to an existing building. The result is an elegant, power-generating facade that is not recognizable as such at first glance. 399 glass elements in 15 different sizes and geometries were optimally integrated into the existing building structure. The use of integrated diodes optimizes the yield of this BIPV facade.

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Integrative design solution

The private client of this special underground parking entrance was looking for a bright and sustainable solution for the roofing of his entrance that blends into the surroundings harmoniously and at the same time satisfies his desire for a special design solution beyond standard ideas.

Distinctive shadowing

For an ideal integration into the surrounding nature a green substructure was provided for this underground parking entrance.  Matching semi-transparent glass-glass modules with emerald green design cells were created for this purpose. Viewed from above they perfectly embed themselves into the overall picture. The entire design-potential, however, is only visible inside the entrance – the distinctive and impressive play of the modules' shadowing is created in the sunshine.

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Innovation and sustainability

The company Omicron was looking for an innovative and sustainable facade in the colors of their logo. With this in mind, a very elegant glass facade with „blue“ as the main color was designed, in which highly efficient solar cells were embedded. The technical affinity and innovative strength of the company are reflected in the integrated LED glass elements in corporate colors.

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Sophisticated details

One particular feature of the semi transparent BIPV modules is the finishing of the rear side of the modules by means of selective screen-print. By imitating the front cell optics, the module surface visible from the inside ideally integrates itself into the design concept. The highlight, however, are the two curved photovoltaic elements on the curved structure of the triangular shaped atrium. The approximately 3m² large glass-glass modules are bent in a radius of approximately 3.5m. By means of their adaptive design, they perfectly harmonize with the building line and optimally blend into the overall design.

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Gas station of the future

The initiator of this project, an ecologically committed operator of a major gas station chain, aimed to transfer the subject of environmental consciousness into the market for fossil energy. The assignment here was to design an exclusive, design-oriented roofing solution with integrated photovoltaic.

Transparence, protection and communication

Project-specifically manufactured glass-glass elements have been installed as an integrated roof on different stations. Due to the transparent appearance of the solar modules, open, light-flooded, yet protected areas have been created to place the design element of photovoltaic into center stage. The ideas „renewable energy“ and „climate protection“ have been integrated and communicated into the world of gas stations in an intelligent way.

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Homogenous and straight

The building developer of this special object had a precious, homogenous looking glass facade with the special something in his mind. The focus of the conceptual planning was the uniform black appearance of the facade that serves to accentuate the clear lines of the building.

Glass-glass modules instead of thin-film

Initially planned with thin-film modules, this facade was realized with glass-glass modules. These do not only offer the requested homogenous dark surface, but due to the crystalline solar cells also generate a higher yield. On top of that came the adaptability of the facade elements to the special requirements of the specific architecture of the building. For this project a total of 330 photovoltaic and décor facade elements with approx. 20 different dimensions were individually produced and installed.

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Straight and rich in contrast

The building developer of this project is a specialist for building envelopes and planned a solution which meets his ideas for the design. The goal was to design an insulating glazing with integrated photovoltaic, which adequately picks up the straight, design-oriented style of the metal facade.

Building envelope with additional value

The special character of this insulating glazing with integrated photovoltaic reveals itself to the viewer particularly in the inside of the building. There the visible solar cells are responsible for the specific shadow play and hint at the idea of subject sustainability. By means of the partial shading an overheating of the interior space is avoided. The 2-fold insulating glass ensures the necessary thermal insulation, while the monocrystalline high-performance cells create electrical power.

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Modern industrial building

The simple industrial facade was supposed to innovatively represent sustainability. A unique solution was developed to add value to the industrial building in a modest but effective way.

Spectacular distant effect

During the day this glass facade is impressive due to its photovoltaic cells. However, the integrated LED lighting is the highlight of the construction. At night the facade is illuminated with bright light and thus impresses with a spectacular distant effect. 

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