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Monochrome glass-glass modules for building integration - SUNOVATION presents Sunovation eFORM Color at the exhibition BAU 2013

SUNOVATION, manufacturer for architectural applications, brings homogenous monochrome glass-glass modules for facade design on the market.

The solar modules SUNOVATION eFORM Color are an innovative further development of glass-glass solar modules for building integration. The special feature of these building elements is the uniform appearance in homogenous, monochrome optic. With this product, photovoltaic can be integrated exclusively into buildings. SUNOVATION eFORM Color are currently available in the colors black, anthracite, cobalt blue, gold and silver.  

For the special design, matching colored solar cells are put into a group with colored special glasses – also the current-carrying connectors between the solar cells are the same shade of color. The surface is only interrupted by the specific structure of the solar cells and its reflections from different viewing angles. According to viewing angle and model, it is often only apparent at a second glance, that it is a photovoltaic module. These modules are just as powerful as conventional glass-glass modules for building integration. Through the application of crystalline solar cells efficiency levels of up to 18% are reached. The modules are produced up to a size of 3.500 x 1.500 mm according to customers’ requirements.  

The design of the overall project is clearly the focus here –the integrative optic of the monochrome glass-glass modules open up new design possibilities. „With our new product line we are taking our customers’ request fro homogenous and at the same time very precious building elements for building integration “, states Heribert Ley, CEO of SUNOVATION GmbH. Facades on representative buildings can be equipped with this procuts either entirely or partially. Also a play with different module colors as well as the combination of solar building elements with matching glass elements is possible. Furthermore, a backlighting with LEDs is possible with these new solar power elements.

SUNOVATION eFORM Color in the colors black and blue.

The SUNOVATION GmbH is a manufacturer of solar building elements for architectural applications. The project-specific solar modules are ideally suitable for modern building projects. They are used, for example, as solar facades, solar roofs or shading solutions. In the area of e-mobility flexible solutions with an exclusive design are offered with the specially designed car- and bikeport systems. Due to the patented production technology, building elements can be manufactured individually in terms of shape, cell coverage, level of transparency and coloring.

SUNOVATION researches, develops and produces in Elsenfeld/Main. Form the facility in Germany, close to Frankfurt, customers looking for special architectural solutions are delivered worldwide.

Award for the Gas Station of the Future with BIPV Modules by SUNOVATION

Gas Station of the Year 2012 – Innovation Prize

Tankstelle des Jahres 2012 mit maßgefertigten BIPV Modulen von MAGE SUNOVATION

The green gas station in Geilenkirchen with glass|glass solar modules manufactured by SUNOVATION, was awarded with the 2012 Innovation Prize by Zukunftsforum Tankstelle.

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.

German Environment Minister Peter Altmaier visits LED Solar Power Façade by SUNOVATION

Building-integrated photovoltaics - a market for the future

Peter Altmaier, Herbert Heinz (RMD) und Heribert Ley (MAGE SUNOVATION) vor der Solarfassade von MAGE SUNOVATION

SUNOVATION GmbH, manufacturer of solar modules for architectural use, introduced German Environment Minister Altmaier to the company’s new photovoltaic façade made of glass-glass modules during his visit to the Rhine-Main landfill site in Flörsheim near Frankfurt on the Main.

Product innovation: LED solar power facade of SUNOVATION

Innovative facade design of the special kind

The SUNOVATION GmbH, manufacturer of solar modules for architecture introduces innovative LED solar power facade of glass-glass modules. Solar modules for facade design are becoming increasingly popular. The special modules can be used as building elements instead of glass, stone, plaster, etc. They are also particularly suitable as roofing or shading elements.

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

Kurz vor Fertigstellung: „Tankstelle der Zukunft“ mit transparenten, dachintegrierten Design-Modulen

The southern German-based SUNOVATION GmbH, leading manufacturer of architecturally-integrated solar panels implemented the first solar system in Germany to be placed on the roof of a future-minded gas station at its new location in Geilenkirchen, close to Aachen, Germany.

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.