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IPV
Integrated
Photovoltaic

A showcase of case studies, 
products and tools for IPV

Supported by:

IEA PVPS Task 15 project aims to create an enabling framework to accelerate the penetration of BIPV products in the global market of renewables.

Operazione co-finanziata dall’Unione europea, Fondo Europeo di Sviluppo Regionale, dallo Stato Italiano, dalla Confederazione elvetica e dai Cantoni nell’ambito del Programma di Cooperazione Interreg V-A Italia-Svizzera

Enzian Office

new construction

Building use: 
office
IPV architectural system: 
rainscreen
warm façade
balustrade/parapet
IPV integration year: 
between 2011 and 2015
Source: 
Eurac Research

Enzian Office

Via Ressel 3, Bolzano (BZ), Italy

Introduction

Stakeholders

Aesthetic integration

Energy integration

Technology integration

Decision making

Lessons learnt

Data

Producer and installer

Map

Author

Enzian Office is a 10-storeys building located in the industrial zone of Bolzano. Almost the whole building is covered with photovoltaic modules integrated into the building glass façades.

STAKEHOLDERS

Main building designer: 

Arch. Zeno Bampi

IPV components producer: 

Arnold Glas GmbH

Product type: 
Address: 
Alfred-Klingele-Str. 15, Remshalden, Germany
Contact: 
info@arnold-glas.de +49 (7151) 7096 –0
Web: 
https://www.arnold-glas.de/
IPV system installer: 

Leitner Electro Srl

Address: 
Via Ahraue 6, Brunico (BZ), Italy
Contact: 
info@leitnerelectro.com +39 0474 571 100
Web: 
https://www.leitnerelectro.com/index.php?lang=it
Other stakeholders: 

Ind. Eng. Franz Steiner, Eng. Sigfried Pohl, Energytech Srl, Kaser Srl

Works supervisor: 

Eng. Sigfried Pohl

The PV modules are made of amorphous silicon that homogenizes the external surfaces, so that the difference between opaque and semi-transparent façade parts is not recognizable. The integrated PV skin makes the ‘sustainable design’ highly visible from outside.

The building is certified CasaClima Gold. The PV system integrated into the building envelope, together with modules placed on the roof, produce around 113 MWh/year, supplying enough energy to feed the building’s heating and cooling needs using a reversible heat pump and a pellet heating system. The system is grid connected, so the excess energy is fed into the power grid (Eurac Research).

According to the solar exposure of the building façades, either double or triple insulating glass with amorphous silicon modules or opaque laminated glass is used. The photovoltaic modules (Voltarlux) are designed on the basis of Schott Solar’s ASI THRU thin-film technology as silicon tandem cells (3 mm) on a glass substrate. Some modules replace balustrates, other replace the semi-transparent façade part. The interior is protected with laminated safety glass. The chamber between the glass panes is filled with argon for thermal insulation. Other modules replace the opaque façades part with an insulating layer behind them. The gap between the modules and the insulation is 5 cm and is covered on the bottom and top. Also the building balustrades are BIPV. Cables are contained within the framing system.

The building was designed to be an energy self-sufficient unit. Hence, the decision to integrate a photovoltaic plant. The wide building façades were covered as much as possible with PV modules in order to maximize the electric energy production exploiting most of the available solar radiation. Amorphous silicon was chosen instead of crystalline silicon, because of its uniform shading effect inwards and its uniform appearance outwards (Energytech Srl). Additional PV modules were applied to the building roof in order to increase the electric energy building supply.

The PV modules are integrated into different building components, providing examples of how the PV might be used in place of traditional building materials. The PV substitutes the semi-transparent parts, the insulated windows, the external parapets and the external cladding. In the semi-transparent part, it is used as a sun shielding without the need for additional shading provisions that would have increased the costs. Moreover, the amorphous silicon texture produces a special lighting scenario, a uniform shading effect that does not disturb the office’s users. The light controlling function of the photovoltaic cells is added to the insulating function of the glazing system, highlighting the multifunctional feature of the BIPV technology. Regarding the BIPV system design, one of the main challenges reported by the designer is related to the strict fire-safety regulations which need to be respected in the façadedesign (Energytech Srl).

PROJECT DATA

Project type: 
BIPV SYSTEM DATA
Architectural system: 
rainscreen, warm façade, balustrade
Integration year: 
2011
Active material: 
amorphous silicon
Module transparency: 
System power [kWp]: 
100
System area [m²]: 
2,340
Module dimensions [mm]: 
1,020 x 626
Modules orientation: 
West, South, East
Modules tilt [°]: 
90
IPV components producer: 

Arnold Glas GmbH

Product type: 
Address: 
Alfred-Klingele-Str. 15, Remshalden, Germany
Contact: 
info@arnold-glas.de +49 (7151) 7096 –0
IPV system installer: 

Leitner Electro Srl

Address: 
Via Ahraue 6, Brunico (BZ), Italy
Contact: 
info@leitnerelectro.com +39 0474 571 100
Via Ressel 3, Bolzano (BZ), Italy

Eurac Research