Integrated solar panels in the facade
Integrated solar panels in the facade offer an innovative solution for architects and developers who want to combine sustainability with aesthetics. By incorporating solar panels in the facade, your building generates energy and you meet the strict sustainability requirements. In addition, it is an ideal solution when the available roof surface does not offer enough space for solar panels.
Transform your facade into an energy-generating design element with Solarix solar panels. Choose from a variety of colours, designs, sizes and finishes for seamless integration into any facade design.
Solarix facade solar panels are designed for seamless integration into both new-build and renovation projects. The frameless glass-glass panels can be fully tailored to the facade design, offering maximum design freedom through a wide range of colours, designs, dimensions and glass finishes. The panels can be integrated below or alongside window frames, across full floor-to-floor heights, or into prefabricated facade elements. This allows us to develop a solution for every project that perfectly matches the design, technical requirements and desired appearance.
Specifications Solarix solar panels
22.5 kg/m² including mounting system, 19.5 kg/m² glass/glass panel.
70 mm (including glass thickness of 9 mm).
The spacing between the panels is at least 10 mm. We recommend a measurement of 20 mm between the panels and the surrounding building components, such as flashing or roof edges.
Construction of facade solar panel
A Solarix facade panel is a high-quality, frameless glass/glass panel. The solar cells are laminated between the two glass layers with an encapsulate. The front glass pane is provided with a colour layer, while the rear black glass pane prevents prying eyes and ensures a sleek finish. The panels are attached to the facade with the Solarix mounting system or, if necessary, with an alternative mounting solution.
Design guidelines for a facade with solar panels
A perfect distribution of solar panels over the facade not only contributes to an aesthetic facade design, but can also influence the performance of the solar panels. The dimensions of the panels play an important role in the efficient distribution of solar cells within each panel. For easy integration, our standard panels can be used. In case of deviating dimensions, our engineering team supports during the design phase to realize the optimal dimensions and distribution over the facade in combination with a cell configuration for optimal generation.
Provide a minimum space of 10 mm between each panel or other material in the facade. The panels are easy to install and replace. The mounting system offers the flexibility to accurately adjust panels to each other or to other facade elements. This allows the solar facade panels to be neatly aligned. The spacing between the panels provide light ventilation, which promotes the optimal functioning of the panels.
Solarix facade solar panels can be efficiently integrated into facades with various orientations — not only south, but also east, west, and even north. Thanks to their vertical placement on the facade, the panels capture sunlight at different times throughout the day, resulting in a more even energy yield. This spreads energy production throughout the day and better matches the energy consumption patterns of users. While a south orientation traditionally offers the highest yield, east- and west-facing facades can be surprisingly efficient. They typically yield only 5% to 20% less energy than south-facing panels, depending on specific conditions. They also offer the advantage of a more evenly distributed energy yield throughout the day, which is beneficial for balancing generation and consumption. Our team can analyze which facade orientations are most cost-effective per project and advise on the optimal placement of active and non-active (dummy) panels. By strategically placing non-active panels, we create a visually coherent facade design that combines aesthetics and functionality.
Shadowing should be avoided as much as possible, because this affects the yield of solar panels. If shadowing is unavoidable, Solarix can think along at an early stage about the design of the electrical installation. The use of optimizers or micro-inverters are among the possibilities to optimize a string plan and thus let the solar panels function optimally even with shadow from the environment from trees, or buildings, as well as building components from the own design.
Solar panels integrated into the facade with the Solarix mounting system
Easy installation
Thanks to the plug-and-play principle, the panels are installed in the same way as other facade materials. Each panel can also be removed individually, making maintenance and replacement simple.
Optimal mounting
The number and positioning of the support profiles are determined for each project based on factors such as building height, wind zone and substructure. The average centre-to-centre spacing is 600 mm and is tailored to the project during the engineering phase.
Suitable substructure
The Solarix solar facade system is suitable for virtually any substructure, from steel structures and timber frame construction to masonry, concrete and sandwich panels. For durable integration, the substrate must have sufficient load-bearing capacity and be resistant to moisture and temperature fluctuations. By considering these requirements early in the design process, we ensure optimal integration with the project.
Mechanical securing solutions
For more complex facade situations, Solarix offers additional mechanical securing solutions alongside the mounting system, such as L-strips, top clamps and bottom brackets (J-clips).
Sustainable & flexible
The mounting system is made from 80% recycled aluminium and is supplied together with the Solarix facade solar panels. For project-specific requirements, an alternative mounting system can be selected in consultation with Solarix. This flexibility makes it possible to integrate solar panels into a wide range of building projects, from new-build to renovation.
Options for integrated solar panels with dummies and adapters
For a complete and sleek facade design, dummies and fitting pieces can be used perfectly. Dummies are non-functional panels that maintain the aesthetics of the facade in places where active panels are not possible. Fitting pieces are used to finish corners, edges and other complex parts of the facade in a beautiful way. Although these elements often require customization, they ensure a seamless finish and a uniform, stylish appearance that really brings the facade to life.
Installation and E-installation
The installation of Solarix panels is carried out by experienced partners or specialized external installers who focus on solar facade systems. In the engineering process we play an advisory role and work closely with the electrical installer to support an optimal electrical design. We offer advice on the total solar system, such as the string configuration, suitable inverters, micro-inverters and optimizers, and ensure that everything connects efficiently to the electrical infrastructure of the building, (whereby the E-installer takes care of the implementation.) Thanks to this collaboration, a sustainable and optimally functioning PV facade system is realized.
Which dimensions of solar panels can be integrated into the facade of your building?
Frequently Asked Questions about Integrated Solar Panels
To provide you insight into the application possibilites of our solar-facadepanels, we would like to invite you for an intake so we can discuss your project(s). We are happy to have you in our showroom in Weesp near Amsterdam, or we schedule an online appointment. When applicable, we can make a SolarCheck for the project that will give you insight into the potential energy generation of the facades and the business case.
The next step is a SolarScan. This is paid preliminary engineering in which we investigate in detail how our panels should be integrated into the facade. This includes detailing, panel layouts, research into optimalisation options, extensive insolation study incl. shadowing, and a proposal for the mounting system.
Please contact our accountmanagers or call +31(0)20-2440641 to schedule an intake.
Solarix custom solar panels are available in various sizes. The efficiency of a panel depends on the dimensions of the panel relative to the actual cell distribution. Solarix can advise on more efficient dimensions and possible optimisations in panel sizes in the facade for your project. Read more about our standard and custom sizes here.
The energy generated by a solar facade depends on various variables such as orientation, tilt/inclination angle, power of the desired solar panel, location of the building (shadowing, country), structure of the facade (depth) and the total facade-area suitable for our solar facade panels. On average, our coloured solar panels generate 115 kWh per year on a south-facing facade system.
Please contact our account managers for discussing the possibilities for SolarCheck or give us a call at +31(0)20-2440641.
For the mounting system, you should assume 60 mm between the facade and the panel. Total dimensions, including facade solar panel, are 69 mm.
Solarix solar facade panels are certified for use in dimensions ranging from 440 × 590 mm up to 2400 × 1300 mm. Larger custom sizes — up to a maximum of 4200 × 2300 mm — can be produced upon consultation.
However, we recommend keeping the panel size below 2 m² due to weight, potential surcharges, and increased transport and installation costs for larger formats.
All our product information, manuals, and technical datasheets can be downloaded from our download center on the website.
Our solar facade panels weigh 22.5 kg per m2, including mounting system.
This depends on the project, the different types of panels and dimensions, and other wishes. Our panels can be connected to normal inverters, as well as micro-inverters and optimizers. Solarix can make a proposal for the electrical diagram and therefore which inverters are most suitable in the situation. We can do this as part of the pre-engineering, but in many cases, the electrical diagram is determined by the electrical installer (third party).
A Solarix solar facade is a ventilated system and can be integrated into almost all facades. In most cases, this is possible with the Solarix mounting system, such as for a facade builder of timber frame construction or steel, sandwich panels, concrete and brick. The solar facade panels can also be incorporated into curtain walls, for example, in that case without the Solarix mounting system. However, these types of applications require the necessary engineering and development.
Solarix solar façade panels have fire protection level B-s1,d0 according to EN ISO 11925-2 and EN 13823.