SOLAR.con

In line with the German government’s targets, the country’s building stock is to be fully climate-neutral by 2045, enabling it to meet its own energy needs exclusively through on-site renewable energy generation. All other EU countries have been required to follow suit by 2050 at the latest. Against this political backdrop, the potential and sustainability of architecturally high-quality building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) become particularly clear, with their yield capable of being significantly increased even further through optimised orientation.

The aim of the project is to develop an architecturally sophisticated curtain-wall exposed concrete façade with integrated small-scale PV modules optimised for yield. The orientation of the modules within the façade is optimised during the digital design process using algorithm-based design, which incorporates façade and site parameters as well as technical and economic target parameters to generate design variants. The algorithms to be developed for this purpose form the basis for the design of an economical façade system with modular individual components, which can be used in a variety of lighting and design situations. The project pursues an interdisciplinary approach, new to BIPV, of integratively combining architecture, PV technology, façade materials and computer-aided yield optimisation processes within a single façade.

The overall objective of this industrial research project is to develop a parametrically optimised BIPV façade based on small PV modules integrated into a precast exposed concrete façade. Building on element variants already developed at Technology Readiness Level 3 (Proof of Concept), a modular SOLAR.con façade is to be prototyped at TRL 5 (test setup in operational environment). The overall aim is to create a high-quality, aesthetically pleasing comprehensive façade system for both new and existing buildings.