The facade and the project in Gronau were designed by H III S - harder stumpfl schramm freie Architekten from Stuttgart. For the glass building envelope facing the street, the glass modules with integrated ASCA solar film measuring 3.66 x 2.25 m were attached to the south facade of the new building, alternating with conventional glass panes. For the facade glass, BGT Bischoff Glastechnik integrated the film into the glass.
See also: Generating electricity from facade glass
"The size of the solar modules is top class worldwide and no more complicated in production than the manufacture of normal laminated glass panes. This represents a milestone for the building integration of photovoltaics (BIPV)," explains Hermann Issa from ASCA, who is responsible for Business Development & Project Management there. The glass facade at the administration building in Gronau covers an area of 222 square metres.
Large-format transparent glass modules produce electricity
While the glass modules allow light to enter the building from the outside, they offer a feeling of enclosure and security despite their transparency - and that with a full view.
The electricity is produced by organic solar cells (OPV), which ASCA applies to foils using a special printing process. For the project in Gronau, ASCA produced green foils in line with the surrounding brick facade of the adjacent buildings.
"The variety of design possibilities convinced us," say the architects, who were impressed by the great influence they could have on the design of the solar foils. "Building-integrated photovoltaics is a current topic that will continue to gain importance in the future," the planners continue.
Also interesting: Holger Geisler of Ceramic Colors Wolbring: Coloured PV glass for the facade
Hermann Issa: "With this project we show how easy it is to manufacture solar-active facade elements with ASCA OPV products. Planners and designers no longer have to fear technical hurdles, even with customised facade modules of this enormous size."
