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Solar facades: The beautiful source of solar energy in a sustainable city

dsm-firmenich&#039;s new headquarters comes to life in Maastricht! Our team in Weesp has successfully installed the first batch of solar panels and these are now being mounted on the facade of the building. An important step to bring sustainable, energy-efficient design to the heart of the city.These designer solar panels not only promote energy neutrality, but also fit beautifully with the local aesthetic, reflecting dsm-firmenich&#039;s commitment to sustainability. They are essential to the building&#039;s energy strategy and help save 26,772 kg of CO2 annually – equivalent to being absorbed by 1,152 trees!Stay tuned as we continue to shape this iconic project, a symbol of dsm-firmenich&#039;s sustainable future and our mission in solar innovation.Client: <a href="https://edge.tech/">EDGE</a>, <a href="https://www.3wrealestate.nl/">3W vastgoed</a>.Project realization team: <a href="https://www.bam.com/">Koninklijke BAM Groep</a>, <a href="https://www.broekbakema.nl/">Broekbakema</a> and <a href="https://www.ldsenergy.nl/">LDS Energy bv.</a>

This message was created with input from Eefiene Winnubst-Bolhuis. As Lead designer and Marketing manager at Solarix, she brings over 15 years of experience in product and material design. She develops colour collections and leads the creative direction of Solarix’s brand identity and communications.

About Eefiene Winnubst-Bolhuis

Press release –Unique step in the energy transition - A remarkable and beautifully designed decoration will appear on the facade of the Van Happen Containers head office at the GDC Acht Goods Distribution Center. GDC Acht, like many industrial estates, is a collection of logistics halls with the same appearance. In addition, the image quality plan stipulates that the color of the buildings must be RAL 9007 gray.To liven this up and promote <a href="https://www.vanhappencontainers.nl/">Van Happen</a>&#039;s core values, Solarix developed an eye-catching facade with coloured solar panels and circular mounting system, using the designs of their Dot collection as a starting point. The idea has been developed into a 163 m2 solar facade, where arrows made of solar panels visualize the collection and sorting of waste at Van Happen.What is unique about this design is that, in addition to the coloured glass-glass solar panels, the very first lightweight, circular solar panels with colour have also been developed for this purpose. Solarix has joined forces with the company <a href="https://solarge.com/">Solarge</a> to develop these panels. This manufacturer&#039;s mission is to make the panels lightweight so that they can be used on many more square meters than conventional panels. The unique collaboration between the two Dutch companies will be the prelude to a transition of the built environment and the application of the facade as an energy generator.

September 5, 2023

Solar design contributes to a more lively street scene, especially on business premises. The corrugated sheet cladding at Van Happen&#039;s building presented a challenge for mounting solar panels. For this project, Solarix, together with the installation company <a href="https://www.kuijpers.nl/">Kuijpers</a>, researched the possibilities and put together a suitable mounting system. The knowledge acquired creates many opportunities for similar buildings on industrial estates that have to tackle a sustainability challenge. With these arguments, an environmental permit was obtained and, partly with the support of <a href="https://www.brabantgeeftenergie.nl/">Brabant geeft Energie</a> from the Province of North Brabant, the first lightweight copies were coloured. With the interest and help of the subsidy provider, Van Happen Containers was able to embellish its facade and contribute to fossil-free energy generation. The design therefore symbolizes the sorting and separation of the mixed waste flow that enters and the smaller raw material flows that leave the site on the way to circular use.Speaking of circular, Solarix-Solarge solar panels already have a much lower CO2 footprint, are manufactured with at least 40% recycled plastic and are fully recyclable thanks to the unique layer principle. In this way, not only the design but also reality will match the activities required for the circular economy. And that is what we are working on together.

Integrating solar facades on industrial estates

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Van Happen Containers unveils energy-generating facade

Solarix secures a €900,000 investment boost from ROM InWest and three construction sector investors. This investment enables the North Holland-based company, specializing in high-quality colored solar panels for facades, to ramp up production in response to the rapidly growing demand for aesthetic solar panels.<a href="https://rominwest.nl/">ROM InWest</a> leads the investment, further solidifying North Holland&#039;s energy transition. The agreement between Solarix and ROM InWest was signed on February 8, 2023. This investment is derived from the Dutch government&#039;s Transition Fund, intended to support companies that accelerate the significant and necessary transitions of our time with their services or products.Solarix&#039;s business model focuses on designing, developing, supplying, and assembling solar panels for sustainable and visually appealing energy-generating facades. The colored solar panels are manufactured in Europe. Founded in 2018 by architect Marloes van Heteren and product designer and artist Reinier Bosch, the company aims to revolutionize both the solar and construction industries. They won the Solar Design Award in 2015 with their prototype of an aesthetic solar panel for facade applications. In 2018, they delivered the first Solar Design facade, and in 2022, Solarix became the first company in Europe to realize a Solar Design facade with colored, lightweight, and circular solar panels.

CEO - ROM InWest

Quote Nieboer

Janet Nieboer, CEO of ROM InWest, is pleased with the agreement with Solarix as it signifies the next step in the energy transition: “ROM InWest is committed to fostering a robust North Holland economy that provides equal opportunities for everyone and doesn’t compromise our planet and climate. By investing in &#039;green,&#039; promising companies, we accelerate sustainable innovations crucial for the energy transition. Solarix aligns perfectly with that profile.”

The next step in the energy transition

&quot;New climate regulations and the rapidly increasing energy prices make it increasingly important for buildings, either partially or entirely, to generate their own energy,&quot; outlines founder Reinier Bosch of Solarix. &quot;Solar panels usually make the most significant contribution, but especially in high-rise buildings, the roof surface is often too small to accommodate enough solar panels. Facade panels are the answer to this challenge. The demand for them is growing rapidly, so we are pleased that our production and the number of jobs can be significantly expanded thanks to this investment. It means that Solarix can evolve from being a Dutch frontrunner to becoming a prominent player in Europe.&quot;

Facade Panels as a European Solution

Solarix haalt investering van € 900.000 op voor versnellen esthetische zonnepanelenproductie

Scale-up

Solarix raises €900,000 investment to accelerate aesthetic solar panel production

The clock is ticking... It&#039;s the pivotal moment to take impactful steps towards a climate-neutral built environment. Future office buildings must meet stricter energy requirements. The NZEB-requirements-and-energy-label-c-as-standard requirements have been in place since January 1, 2021, for new office constructions. Additionally, from January 1, 2023, existing office buildings must have at least an Energy Label C.We observe that many properties in the built environment still do not meet energy-efficient standards, failing to meet both NZEB requirements in new construction and the minimum Energy Label C in existing buildings. A recent investigation by <a href="https://nos.nl/artikel/2448908-helft-kantoorgebouwen-voldoet-niet-aan-energiezuinige-norm">NOS</a> highlighted government buildings that won&#039;t meet the minimum Energy Label C. For new construction, a NZEB calculation is required to demonstrate compliance. However, it&#039;s proven challenging to incorporate the right inputs, especially for elements like solar panels.The new energy requirements are significant steps towards accelerating the energy transition. But what should project developers and architects focus on? What considerations are essential in making a NZEB calculation to measure energy performance? When does Energy Label C apply? What can Solarix contribute to meeting these new energy requirements?Stay informed with our blog and start the energy calculation for your project promptly.What&#039;s the difference between NZEB and Energy Label C?Firstly, it&#039;s crucial to distinguish between the NZEB requirements for new construction and Energy Label C for existing buildings.NZEB stands for &#039;Nearly Energy Neutral Buildings&#039; and constitutes a <a href="https://www.rvo.nl/onderwerpen/wetten-en-regels-gebouwen/beng/indicatoren">package of requirements</a> aimed at enhancing the energy performance of European buildings. Since January 1, 2021, it has been legally stipulated that all new constructions, including residential and utility buildings, must comply with these NZEB requirements to obtain a permit. Often, this is initially assessed in a preliminary design. While the NZEB requirements are nationally standardized, they can be tightened by municipalities or in tenders.It has been mandatory since January 1, 2016, for office buildings to have an energy label. Energy Label C is an additional measure for existing buildings and will be mandatory for office buildings from January 1, 2023. From then on, office buildings may have &#039;a maximum primary fossil energy use of 225 kWh per m2 per year.&#039;The Dutch Inspectorate for the Environment and Transport (ILT) verifies compliance with these regulations. The inspection already imposes substantial fines for the absence of an energy label during the sale or lease of commercial properties. If an existing office building doesn&#039;t have Energy Label C after the turn of the year, it can no longer be used as an office space!

Indicators of NZEB RequirementsAccording to RVO (Netherlands Enterprise Agency), the NZEB requirements are based on the Trias Energetica principle: firstly, limit the energy demand, then derive energy as much as possible from renewable sources, and finally, efficiently utilize primary fossil energy sources for the remainder.The energy performance under NZEB is determined by three individual criteria:NZEB 1: Maximum energy demand in kWh/m² of usable area per yearThis value emphasizes the importance of the building envelope&#039;s quality. In other words, an office building requires a good thermal envelope to minimize heating or cooling needs. It involves not only roof and floor insulation but also considers the potential of an insulating facade.NZEB 2: Maximum primary fossil energy use in kWh/m² of usable area per yearThis criterion aims to minimize energy consumption within a building, including from systems and installations, by employing energy-efficient solutions and smart energy usage practices.This requirement sets a limit on the maximum amount of primary fossil fuel needed for heating, cooling, hot water, and ventilation of an office building. For utility buildings, lighting, humidification/dehumidification are added. The efficiency and type of systems and installations within a building, along with the use of renewable energy, play a vital role.If a building generates its own energy – for example, through PV panels like solar panels – the primary fossil energy consumption can be reduced by the amount of energy generated.NZEB 3: Renewable energy in % If energy is still required, a certain percentage of it must be generated from renewable sources, such as through solar panels. Different percentage requirements apply to different building types.The key aspect of this requirement is the sum of the share of primary fossil energy consumption plus the share of renewable energy. It&#039;s calculated by dividing the amount of renewable energy by the total energy consumption. However, the renewable energy must be generated within, on, or attached to the building!When translating these indicators into practical measures affecting NZEB requirements, one can consider sustainability solutions such as:<ul><li>Replacing all lighting with LED lighting.</li><li>Swapping conventional boilers for high-efficiency boilers.</li><li>Replacing glass with double glazing.</li><li>Insulating roofs, facades, and floors.</li><li>Installing heat pumps (water/water, air/water, ventilation air/water, and boosters).</li><li>Installing solar water heaters.</li><li>Installing sun protection systems.</li><li>Installing rooftop solar panels.</li><li>Installing facade-integrated solar panels.</li><li>Creating a green roof.</li></ul>

How do office buildings meet the NZEB requirements or Energy Label C?Office buildings are getting taller, and the available square meters of roof space for traditional PV panels are limited to meet the energy demand for stricter regulations such as NZEB requirements and energy labels.To make existing and future office buildings more inspiring and sustainable, design PV panels can be used, even combined with non-active panels made from other materials.Installing PV panels on the facade, also known as facade solar panels, is one of the most appealing sustainability solutions. This enables a new office building to generate renewable energy and thus meet the NZEB 3 criterion.For existing office buildings, the use of these facade solar panels (PV facade) generates energy, reducing the required primary fossil energy per square meter. This helps achieve compliance with the Energy Label C norm.Assistance with NZEB CalculationAn actual NZEB calculation is quite complex, as indicated. We believe you could use some support here! Explore our tips:SolarCheckCrucial for a NZEB calculation is to consider the right starting points. Solarix can support this through the SolarCheck, which calculates the potential energy generation of a building. This provides essential information for the NZEB calculation, such as the area of PV panels, orientation(s), Wp per m2, and ventilation.SolarScanFor engineering, we go even further to optimize the energy performance of the solar facade with a SolarScan, a follow-up to the SolarCheck. With this, we can offer the client targeted and comprehensive advice on the application possibilities of Solarix panels in the respective project.Our building physics and technical experts evaluate the design options and detailing. Additionally, we conduct an extensive solar exposure study, including shadow analysis. The result is a constructional advice where we can also provide a good cost estimate and calculate the payback period.With a SolarScan, we essentially compare the NZEB requirements and possibilities for the facade and optimize the effectiveness of the energy output with the dimensions and colors of our design PV panels.

Tips for an Energy Consulting FirmOpting for an energy consulting firm? Ensure the correct input for facade panels is used for NZEB, such as Wp per m2 instead of Wp per panel. The calculation here is significantly different from that of rooftop panels. We often see an incorrect assumption of excessively high power per m2 being applied in traditional rooftop panels.For customized and aesthetically colored panels, the power levels are relatively lower, but they offer an aesthetic value that traditional panels lack.Commence NZEB CalculationsWe&#039;re witnessing an increasing demand for sustainability solutions for office buildings due to the tightening NZEB requirements and energy labels.It&#039;s evident that integrating solar panels into facades is emerging as a highly profitable option to achieve energy neutrality, applicable to both NZEB requirements in new constructions and Energy Label C for existing office buildings. Often, rooftop PV alone isn&#039;t sufficient.At Solarix, we believe that PV solutions for office buildings shouldn&#039;t result in a dark glass city lacking identity and beauty. Consequently, we manufacture design solar panel facades that operate efficiently and look aesthetically pleasing.Curious about the possibilities? Initiate your NZEB calculation and start with the SolarCheck!

This blog was created with input from Marloes van Heteren. As co-founder and CEO of Solarix, Marloes links technical innovations with sustainability goals. Her architectural background helps realise energy-neutral and aesthetically pleasing cities.

About Marloes van Heteren

NZEB requirements and Energy Label C as standard

Installation of Solarix panels on the facade of dsm-firmenich's Maastricht headquarters has started