The "green gas station of the future" located in Geilenkirchen, a town in western Germany, is award winner in the Innovation category, which pays tribute to its new future-minded concept for gas stations. The concept centers on utilizing renewable energies in all aspects of the gas station. An ample arrangement of measures has been implemented in an area spanning nearly 6,000m² that enable environmentally-friendly, ecological operations at a gas station.
The roofing with solar modules by SUNOVATION provides the centerpiece of the gas station, stylishly defining it as an airy space flooded by natural lighting. The modules were implemented over the forecourt, the automatic car wash, the self-service car wash, and the vacuum cleaner stations. Nearly 245 custom-tailored glass|glass solar modules were installed over a surface area of 630m² to provide a capacity of 65kWp. The solar modules feature a transparent look and are integrated into the roofing structure. They create covered spaces with plenty of natural lighting, which gives the gas station a bright and friendly atmosphere.
The exclusive gas station, which is the only one of its kind to date, was completed in three months. “The use of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) puts the finishing touch to the concept of renewable energies regarding solar output and overall picture”, says Heribert Ley, general manager of SUNOVATION GmbH. The investment in innovation was rewarded since the curb appeal received the highest available score by the jury of Zukunftsforum Tankstelle.
UNITI Bundesverband mittelständischer Mineralölunternehmen e.V., a German association of medium-sized petroleum companies, hosts the Zukunftsforum Tankstelle event, which has become a tradition in the sector. At the annual event, an expert panel selects the gas station of the year, in addition to the offer on lectures and discussions taking place. Eight gas stations throughout Germany received this award in 2012. The jury evaluated the stations based on the categories of size, store-/bistro-/car wash-concepts, and innovations.
News and current projects from Sunovation
Award for the Gas Station of the Future with BIPV Modules by SUNOVATION
Gas Station of the Year 2012 – Innovation Prize
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German Environment Minister Peter Altmaier visits LED Solar Power Façade by SUNOVATION
Building-integrated photovoltaics - a market for the future
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Product innovation: LED solar power facade of SUNOVATION
Innovative facade design of the special kind
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In Flörsheim, near Frankfurt, SUNOVATION has equipped the facade of an industrial company with 112 facade modules of the Sunovation eFORM series. The project-specifically manufactured glass-glass modules with a size of 1200 x 1200 mm have been attached to the facade of the industrial warehouse with an incline of 90°. The modules consist of a satined rear glass and a clear front glass and they are backlight with LEDs. On a module area of 1.44 m², 49 crystalline 5“ solar cells are embedded permanently elastic between to glass plates by means of a special production process. In total, this facade system has a performance of 13.5 kWp. During the day this glass facade is impressive due to its photovoltaic cells, which shows the use of renewable energies. However, the LED lighting, integrated into the solar modules, is the highlight of the construction.
At night the facade is illuminated with bright light and thus impresses with a spectacular distant effect. Due to the use of RGB-LEDs a color change is likewise possible as the lighting in corporate colors or for certain occasions. This type of facade design is particularly interesting for the use in representative buildings. Also existing building can be upgraded with this product easily and get a contemporary, modern optic.
SUNOVATION implements future-minded Solar Roofing System for Gas Station
Transparent, roof-integrated, stylish modules
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Spanning an area of nearly 6,000m², the "green gas station of the future" displays an ample arrangement of measures that enable environmentally-friendly, ecological operations. The centerpiece of the entire station is the solar roofing that stretches over the forecourt, the automatic car wash, the self-service car wash, and the vacuum cleaner stations.
The project incorporated the latest product line of glass-glass panels at SUNOVATION in the design. The panels were custom manufactured for the project and integrated into the roofing structure. Nearly 245 Sunovation panels were installed over a surface area of 630m², generating a total power of approx. 65kWp. The transparent design of the solar panels creates an open space that is flooded by light, yet sheltered, to place the design element of photovoltaics into center stage. Patrons and visitors to the gas station can experience this intelligent integration of renewable energy and climate protection in the world of gas stations.
It was the passion for innovation and the environment that drove Fred Pfennings, project initiator, contractor, and operator of a major gas station chain, to back this novel architectural plan for a gas station and, in the process, call attention to environmental-friendliness in the fossil fuels market. "We were able to take this future-minded project and add our project-specific products to fulfill the customer's desire for photovoltaic panels in an exclusive, structurally-integrated solution with stylish highlights," explains Heribert Ley, Managing Director at SUNOVATION GmbH. "We were impressed by the customer's holistic approach. His aim was to bring a green revolution to the gas station market in an exemplary fashion and implement the first environmentally-friendly gas station in Germany," adds Ley.
In addition to the stylish design elements, a subsidiary of SUNOVATION, Main Solarstrom GmbH, built a photovoltaic system using standard solar panels on the roof of the gas station convenience store. The entire water demand for the gas station and car wash systems is covered by an environmentally-friendly rainwater and service water treatment system. A solar thermal system covers the heating needs and, in peak times, supplemental heating is provided by biomass heating. Nearly all lights at the gas station use energy-efficient LED technology. The energy consumption levels for lighting has been reduced by nearly 70 percent compared to conventional lamps, which transforms into savings of approximately 50,000kWh of electricity and 30 metric tons of CO2 each year.
SUNOVATION presents new product line
Glass based, light-weight solar modules
The new product line is a response to the growing demand for glass modules from customers in the
architectural field. It is particularly adapted to modern façade design with solar elements and sensational
roofing with integrated electricity generation. Sunovation® glass-glass modules are made of two sheets of glass
which create a permanently elastic compound with embedded solar cells using a special production
technology.
The uniqueness of these solar modules lies in the multiple design possibilities which allow them to be used as
an aesthetic design and construction element. Sunovation® modules are made based on customer
specifications. By purposely avoiding standard sizes, the company can offer customized solutions for customerand
project-specific conditions.
"Our customers appreciate the flexibility that we offer with our tailor-made modules. They can be ideally
adapted to the conditions at hand, which is a basic requirement for perfectly integrating them with already
existing construction elements as well as new ones," says Heribert Ley, CEO of SUNOVATION GmbH.
Sunovation® glass-glass modules can also be individually adapted to the project through form, color, degree of
transparency and cell arrangement. Discerning, design-oriented customers are given more latitude for carrying
out unusual photovoltaic projects beyond the standard.