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.
| BIPV Canopy & 18 Solar Trees | 12,620 m² |
| Photovoltaic glass-glass-modules | SUNOVATION eFORM clear VSG trapezoid - 5,080 pcs. |
| 332 different geometries & sizes | |
| Electrical power | 2.1 MWp nom. |
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.
The UAE Sustainability Pavilion is one of the main theme buildings of the EXPO and will subsequently, permanently be used as an exhibition and museum building.
This multifunctional building 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".
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.
| BIPV facade | 221 m² |
| Photovoltaic glass-glass-modules | SUNOVATION eFORM clear - 44 Stk. |
| 33 different geometries & sizes | |
| Electrical power | 25 kWp nom. |
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.
This project has been funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU - in German) as part of the national climate protection initiative.
The official gas station of EXPO 2020 in Dubai is the first LEED Platinum certified gas station in the world. It is equipped with custom-made glass-glass modules from SUNOVATION. 210 SUNOVATION eFORM clear modules are designed in rectangular and polygonal glass shapes for perfect integration.
Inspired by the UAE National tree, the carbon-fibre canopy is shaped like a ghaf tree. The architecturally distinctive construction is complemented by an energy-generating e-tree. Located on the Dubai EXPO2020 site, the structure embodies the themes sustainability, technology and renewable energy in a contemporary context.
| BIPV roofing | 476 m² |
| Glass-glass-modules | SUNOVATION eFORM clear - 210 pcs. |
| 3 different geometries & sizes | |
| Electrical power | 74 kWp nom. |
The ghaf tree shaped canopy is made of ETFE Cushion. High performance BIPV modules which ensure an above average energy output, are installed in a composite structure with integrated LED lighting.
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.
| BIPV facade & roof | 320 m² | ||
| Photovoltaik Glas-Glas-Module | SUNOVATION eFORM clear ISO - 149 pcs. | ||
| 36 different geometries & sizes | |||
|
33 kWp nom. |
The multifunctional glass elements were installed in a standard post and rail system. The electrical cabling is invisibly installed within the profiles.
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.
| BIPV facade | 370 m² |
| Glass-glass-modules | SUNOVATION eFORM color black - 399 pcs. |
| 15 different geometries & sizes | |
| Electrical power | 41 kWp nom. |
| Annual energy yield | 25 MWh |
The substructure for this back-ventilated curtain facade has been anchored in the concrete walls with retaining brackets and combined with a structural glazing design. The facade elements have been attached to the retaining profiles with 2-component-silicone and were individually mounted on 4 points in so-called bolt slides.
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.
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.
| Photovoltaic canopy elements |
SUNOVATION eFORM Crystal – 18 pcs. – with laminated safety glass Level of transparency: 55 %, PV laying: 45 % PV cells 6 inch polycrystalline, emerald green |
The photovoltaic roofing elements are linearly supported on a customary roof construction of aluminum profiles.
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.
This multifunctional facade consists of 510 glass-glass elements and 90 LED glass elements, which are specifically authorized for a vertical assembly in facades. All elements are individual, customer-specific designs, which optimally integrate into the building structure in terms of geometry, size and structure. One particular highlight is the specially programmed LED play of corporate colors, which has been attached by means of LED stripes that are attached to the rear side. This spectacularly sets the facade in the limelight during night. The production and installation took approx. 6 months.
| Electricity generating curtain facade | 780 m² |
| Photovoltaic facade elements | SUNOVATION eFORM Color Blue – 510 pcs. |
| LED glass elements | SUNOVATION ledFORM Color Blue, Red & Yellow – 90 pcs. |
| Nominal electrical power | 92 kWp |
| Calculated annual energy yield | 66.000 kWh/year |
The substructure consists of approx. 1,000 extruded profiles and more than 1,200 retaining brackets, which have been anchored in the wooden wall. The glass elements have been attached to the retaining brackets in structural glazing with 2-component-silicone and were individually mounted on 4 points in so-called bolt slides.
The new office building designed by the Architekturwerkstatt Vallentin was implemented according to the passive-plus-energy house standard. It excels through its futuristic design and the combination of down-to-earth and innovative materials. One remarkable design element are the striking, individually designed photovoltaic facade elements, which have been attached to the railings of the floating corridor.
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.
| Photovoltaic facade elements |
84 m² All elements have a rear cover of the PV cells with screen print decor |
The large-scale photovoltaic glass elements were installed into a custom-made metal frame construction. Thanks to the space saving positioning of the electrical connections on the edge of the glass, the connecting cables could be installed invisibly in the frame construction. The electric cabling of the PV facade glass was installed horizontally within the frame construction.
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.
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.
| Photovoltaic roofing elements | 700 m² SUNOVATION eFORM Crystal – 258 pcs. |
| Nominal electrical power | 62 kWp |
| Calculated annual energy yield | 45.000 kWh/year |
A customary roofing system made of aluminum profiles, in which the photovoltaic glass elements are embedded, has been installed on the steel construction. The installation does not differ from the conventional installation of flat glass elements. The electrical wiring/cabling is located in the fold of the aluminum profiles. The entire installation was carried out by Rudolstädter Systembau, a metal construction company with great experience in the field of gas stations. The planning of the electrical wiring of the PV glass elements was carried out by SUNOVATION.
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.
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.
| Electricity generating curtain facade | 210 m² |
| Photovoltaic facade elements | SUNOVATION eFORM Color anthracite – 195 pcs. |
| Décor facade elements | SUNOVATION FORM Color anthracite – 135 pcs. |
| Nominal electrical power | 16 kWp |
| Calculated annual energy yield | 8.600 kWh/year |
The substructure for this back-ventilated curtain facade has been anchored in the concrete walls with retaining brackets and combined with a structural glazing design. The facade elements have been attached to the retaining profiles with 2-component-silicone and were individually mounted on 4 points in so-called bolt slides.
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.
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.
| Photovoltaic facade elements |
SUNOVATION eFORM Crystal ISO - approx. 2500 x 1500 mm 2-fold insulating glass Ug = 1.2 W/m²K Level of transparency: 40 % ;PV laying 60% Structure: 10 mm photovoltaic glass module, 14 mm SZR-Argon, 6 mm float glass |
The multifunctional glass elements were installed in a customary post-and-beam facade system, which in addition includes the electric cabling of the elements.
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.
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.
| Photovoltaic facade elements |
170 m² Photovoltaic cell: monocrystalline, 5 inch equipped with RGB-LED-tape, 307 lm |
The fixing of the industrial facade stands out because of its simplicity. The glass elements were attached to the curtain construction made of aluminum profiles with point clamps. The LED lighting was installed on the profiles on the bottom side.