List of BIPV Buildings in Europe and Their Key Features

Continuing our blog series on BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics), in this article, we will list several shining examples of BIPV projects across the globe with their salient features. Explore how these innovative projects are advancing energy efficiency and seamless architectural design.

The Edge, headquarters to the Deloitte in Amsterdam is often referred as one of the greenest building in the world and is an exemplary model of BIPV.

Key Features:

• Integration of solar panel on the roof and the southern facade of the building
• Optimize energy usage by using solar energy systems in buildings intelligent network

Ko-Bogen II is an office and retail building that has made its mark for its sustainability features.

Key Features:

• Its facades are covered with hornbeam edges integrated with PV panels, simultaneously generating energy and capturing CO2.
• Innovative use of greenery & BIPV with modern architecture.

This school in Denmark is one of the brightest examples using BIPV systems. This building was completed in 2016.

Key Features:

• The facade is made up of a photovoltaic glass panel, Kromatix, and covers an area of 6,000 sq. m.
• The facade has the feature of being multicolored, owing to the use of uniform green panels, which have many different shades because of the change of light during the day.
• The school building’s unique facade is covered in 12,000 solar panels, each individually angled to create a sequin-like effect, which will supply more than half of the school’s annual electricity consumption.
• It is the largest building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) installation in Europe, adding up to approximately 6,000 m2 of solar cells in total, with a corresponding 720 kWp capacity.

Located in the center of Brussels, this building has modern offices, and it can accommodate 750 people and is rented by an EU agency.

This building was constructed following the demolition of the original structure.

Key Features:

• The facade of the top three floors and the roof of the building are covered with single-crystal solar modules.
• Modules on the roof are placed at 5 deg for optimal electricity production.
• BIPV system is installed across an area of 667 sq.m with an installed capacity of 122kW, generating 102 MWh annually.

This is an apartment building. Using BIPV in this building was taken into account from the initial stages, itself. The architects initially thought of using a blue crystalline silicon facade. However, due to the requirement of a particular size, this idea was dropped and they moved to thin-film modules.

With a facade of 900 sq.m, the building generates 70,000 kWh with a total capacity of 100 kW.

Located in the center of Madrid, this building is a traditional market. During its reconstruction, back in 2010, the idea of using BIPV was initiated with the motivation of combining electricity production and natural light.

Key Features:

• Use of amorphous silicon photovoltaic glass with a transparency of 20%.
• Photovoltaic glass modules have been installed as the main building material of the roof.
• It has an annual energy production of 7700 kWh with a roof area of 168 sq.m.

Heliotrope is one of the earliest examples of a private space based on BIPV principles. The building was designed by architect Rolf Disch.

Key Features:

• It rotates and tracks the sunlight, maximizing solar energy absorption.
• It integrates both PVs and solar thermal systems.
• It generates more energy than it consumes.
• Provides surplus energy to the grid.

Apart from these, there are a few other names like the Solar Emerald in Norway and Iturralde Winery in Spain, annually generating 105 kWh and 16400 kWh respectively.

Continuing the blog series on BIPV, in our next article, we will list out the BIPV spaces in the USA with their key features.

Also Read:

BIPV: The Future Of Solar Energy Generation Is Here

From Facades to Energy: India’s Adoption of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

Ornate Solar is a leading solar company with 8+ years of experience in the industry and the mission to reimagine the way solar is installed worldwide.

By not only partnering with the best-in-class solar brands but also developing our high-quality solutions, (panels, inverters, accessories, InRoof), we develop and deliver solutions that are modern, reliable, and effective.

If you are looking for high-quality solar solutions, reach out to us at 011 43536666 to discuss your options.