GW-News: Mr Geisler, why is facade-integrated PV an interesting market?
Holger Geisler - We are currently seeing very clearly the risks of being dependent on foreign countries for energy. Energy self-sufficient buildings are a suitable answer here. In addition, CO₂-neutral buildings make an important contribution to environmental protection and can therefore also score points in terms of building certification. This can be elegantly realised with integrated solar modules in the facade and roofs of buildings.
See also: Glazed balconies for multifunctional living
GW-News: Why have there been very few buildings with PV facades to date?
Felix & Co. AG / Ertex Solar
Until now, PV modules have always been black in appearance, including modules for facade integration. But do we want to live in ‘black cities’ for the sake of sustainability?
Experience shows that building-integrated PV modules are only accepted by planners and building owners if they are visually appealing. One key to this is our new ColorQuant glass colours, which can be used to colour PV elements. ColorQuant solar technology was developed jointly by Merck KGaA in Darmstadt and Ceramic Colors Wolbring GmbH.
GW-News: Can you please explain this in more detail?
Also interesting: Gartner to build glass cross for Sagrada Familia
With our new ColorQuant PV colours, we are creating visual diversity in the facade for integrated PV modules. This is exactly what the market is demanding. The coloured PV elements give architects the opportunity to design their building and facade projects individually, because ColorQuant solar technology allows the solar modules to be coloured and precisely matched to the building design.
The questions were asked by Matthias Rehberger
