The Facade as an Energy Producer

A new development by StoVerotec and Würth Solar is making it possible to easily integrate photovoltaic modules in curtain, rear-ventilated facades.
Energy production from regenerative energy sources has developed splendidly in the past years. In particular, photovoltaics have been able to record very high gains throughout the world. In view of the current climate discussion and the announcements from politics of the desire to successively increase the proportion of power from alternative sources, this technology will continue to gain in significance in the future. This also applies for architecture. “Photovoltaic modules are increasingly becoming multi-functional construction elements: They produce energy as well as provide protection from the weather, and they set aesthetic highlights. At the same time, as part of the curtain, rear-ventilated facade, they will ensure that the energy requirement of buildings decreases drastically,” forecasts Timo Bauer, product manager at Würth Solar.

Legal regulations will aid the path of photovoltaics into the cladding. In May this year, the European Parliament adopted the new version of the European Directive about the overall energy efficiency of buildings. It stipulates that, from 2021, new private houses will only be allowed to be built as “nearly zero” energy buildings within the European Union. This regulation will come in two years earlier than this for public buildings. The remaining energy requirement should then largely be covered by regenerative energies. The professional world believes photovoltaics will play a decisive role here.