They combine conventional sun shading with the possibility of generating green electricity and will be exhibited for the first time on the Belutec stand at BAU in Munich. While the Belusol awning provides shade and keeps the areas below cool, it also utilises the incident solar radiation to generate energy. With its tilt-adjustable structure, the awning can be adapted to the position of the sun, so that it is always at the optimum angle to the sun in both summer and winter. In this way, the maximum energy yield is always achieved compared to the classic balcony power station.
For building owners and tenants
The new and already patented development from Belutec Managing Director Bernhard Lucas, who founded the company Belusol to sell this new awning, is designed for tenants and building owners. ‘Our main focus during development was to offer tenants in particular a sensible alternative to the balcony power station. This is how the awning power station (MKW) was created, which combines the classic balcony power station and the awning’.
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The basic design of the awning power station is a large version of the clamp awning and can be installed under a balcony or covered terrace without the need for dowels or fixing to the ground. ‘Of course, it is also possible to mount the entire system under the ceiling like a classic awning,’ adds Lucas, pointing out that there will be six different variants to meet all local requirements.
The drive is provided in the simple version with a belt, alternatively with a motor and sun position tracking. It is supplied ready to plug in and requires no electrical installation.
Wind, rain, hail - no problem
‘Of course, we also considered the weather during the development and load tests of our awning power plant,’ explains Laura Lucas, member of the Belutec Group's management team.
‘With our system, we can completely rule out the formation of water pockets as with a classic awning, while the photovoltaic cells are protected against hail and snow by retracting the awning under the ceiling. In the load tests for the wind resistance classes, the construction was able to withstand loads far in excess of the values required by the standardisation,’ she adds.
A contribution to the energy transition
Awnings with photovoltaic cells offer an innovative solution for the energy transition. They show how established technologies such as sun shading can evolve to meet the requirements of a sustainable future. For private households in particular, but also for commercial buildings such as cafés, restaurants or hotels, new opportunities are opening up for integrating sustainable energy sources.
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As the demand for sustainable and multifunctional products continues to grow, Belusol awning power plants have the potential to become an integral part of modern architecture, especially in conjunction with smart home systems and sun position tracking that optimise energy gain.
Belutec at BAU 2024: Hall B3, Stand 123
