| 10-08

Solar Architecture
Designing the buildings of the future
The CIS Tower, Manchester
391.0 kWp

Solar photovoltaics enable Architects to create buildings

which produce their own low carbon energy, whilst
creating unique and visually stunning designs.
Building Integrated
Photovoltaics (BIPV)
Versatility:
From refurbishments and renovations through to new build projects, solar architecture can be incorporated
into almost any building project using a selection of versatile solutions. Photovoltaics (PV) provide a
unique way for buildings to harvest energy from their environment, capitalising on solar radiation as
well as minimising solar gain. As rain screen cladding, plant screens, louvres and even glass laminates,
photovoltaics can be considered as a unique and truly versatile building material.

Revenue generation:
Solar photovoltaic panels can be used in the same way as conventional materials for the external building
envelope but with the unique advantage that they generate energy. This means the building can utilise the
electricity generated to displace mains electricity, fulfilling the twin objectives of minimising environmental
impact and saving money. Furthermore building integrated photovoltaics qualify for ROCs (Renewable
Obligation Certificates) which can be sold or traded, meaning that each square metre will generate
revenue for at least the next 25 years.

PV systems offer an economically competitive alternative to conventional building materials. Costing only
slightly more than aluminium and other metal facades, they repay the additional cost by generating their
own revenue.

High-tech aesthetics:
Solar PV is also a high-tech solution with a unique aesthetic, which can be cheaper than other prestige
materials such as marble or bronze. PV panels can be considered as a true building material and are
available in blue or black to meet the architectural requirements of the building. As well as providing a
state-of-the-art finish for any building, solar PV helps reduce carbon emissions and demonstrates a
serious commitment to the environment.

Derby QUAD, Derby

9.0 kWp
Solar Architecture Options:
Solar Louvres
Shading is an important part of low energy building
design that minimises glare and over heating caused
by excessive solar gain. The use of louvres or brise
soleil to shade south facing facades is a proven means
of reducing solar gain, reducing the need for artificial
cooling. Solar shading also reduces glare for PC users
and increase occupant comfort whilst generating clean
renewable electricity.

Plant Screens
Photovoltaics are an obvious choice as a protective
solution for plant equipment and roof mounted
facilities. Plant screens are naturally well positioned to
incorporate solar panels, receiving a large amount of
solar radiation on at least two sides of the building.
Standard ‘cassette’ solutions, incorporating multiples
of solar panels, are easily manoeuvred into position
and can be mounted on a range of existing standard
framing systems.

Solar Glazing
Solar Glazing is a unique combination of solar
photovoltaics and glass, where the PV cells are
laminated between two panes of specialised glazing.
The resulting glass laminate serves the dual function
of creating energy and shade at the same time.
Solar Glazing can be used wherever conventional
glass would be specified - such as curtain walling,
atria, windows and shading canopies, and can be
integrated into sealed glazing systems or conventional
bolted glass structures. Laminates can be tailor made
or bought in standard formats. Bespoke designs allow
architects to vary light penetration by changing the
spacing between individual cells. The finished effect
of Solar Glazing offers a unique aesthetic, where
natural lighting is combined with dappled shading to
provide comfortable naturally lit spaces.
Solar Facades
Solarcentury offer two different Solar Facade options, both of which
can be designed to meet specific building requirements:

1. Rain Screen Cladding

Vertical Solar Facades directly replace conventional rainscreen cladding
materials providing a smooth, flat facade surface for any building, with
a striking aesthetic.
Vertical facades allow building designers to fit the most solar PV per
square metre, giving the highest possible electrical power output for a
given area. This solution is best for buildings where the area available
for Solar Facade is limited.

2. Optimised Rain Screen Cladding

Optimised Facades replace conventional rainscreen cladding with
rows of PV panels tilted towards the sun. This maximises the
amount of electricity generated, offering up to 30% more energy
from each square metre of PV panel. However, rows of panels
are spaced to avoid self shading which means less PV panels per
square metre.

For a given area this solution offers a cheaper alternative to Vertical

Solar Facade and provides optimal energy generation for the size
of the PV system installed. It is best for buildings with large areas
available for Solar Facade installation.

Fixing Details:
Using PV panels as rainscreen cladding is a tried and tested
solution. PV panels are either pre-assembled in multi-panel
cassettes and installed using a typical facade background support
structure, or smaller panels are installed individually.

Solarcentury’s PV facade solutions can be designed to interface

with a wide range of existing horizontal and vertical background
support systems such as the Eurofox MacFOX system.
Vertical mounting systems are often used on brickwork, concrete
or masonry, whilst horizontal mounting systems are used on beam
and column constructions.

Whatever the style or structure of your building, Solar Facades can

be installed in place of conventional rainscreen materials.
Case Study: Solar Rain Screen Cladding
CIS ‘solar tower’ Manchester

In June 2005, the Co-operative Insurance Society

(CIS) asked Solarcentury to develop a solution for
creating a facade at their head quarters in Manchester
with PV panels. Arup then employed Solarcentury
to act as PV consultants and system integrators,
providing specialised PV knowledge and design.

The project created the largest commercial solar

facade in Europe, and is one of the largest PV
systems in the UK. It demonstrates how Solar Rain
Screen Cladding can be readily incorporated into
building refurbishments to provide an extremely
cost effective alternative to conventional cladding
materials.

The CIS solar tower will generate enough electricity

to light 61 average three-bed houses every year.

www.solartower.co.uk

Case Study: Solar Louvres

Environment Agency,
Red Kite House
Red Kite House is an Environment Agency office
in Wallingford, England. The Environment Agency
comissioned Solarcentury to design a brise-soleil
canopy to provide shade to the interior.

The PV panels form a louvre canopy on the concave

south facade, by fixing the PV louvres to existing
steel beams. Solar louvres were created by fixing
the modules and the aluminium cowling to bespoke
telescopic spindles on the ground, which were then
lifted into position.

Energy from the solar louvres, complemented by

the energy efficient design of the building, will meet
around 20% of the building’s annual demand for
electricity. The solar louvres also reduce solar glare
to the offices, which helps to keep the building cool
during summer months by minimising thermal gain.
This application therefore minimises the buildings
cooling load to further reduce overhead energy
costs.
 Case Study: Solar Plant Screen
Harris Academy, London

The Harris Academy in South Norwood was designed by John McAslan + Partners.
Architect Fanos Panyides explains that when the building was submitted for planning
consent one of the conditions of the local authority was that it should incorporate a certain
proportion of energy services from renewable sources:

“The challenge was that the building design was already substantially completed and we
were working on quite a constricted site, so there was no room for technology such as a
wind turbine. Solar photovoltaic cells were the only way of integrating renewable energy
supply at that stage.”

Solar cladding is the ideal solution for projects where space is limited. Meanwhile the ‘fit
and forget’ nature of PV means it is a good renewable to choose for busy organisations
where maintenance could be a costly issue.

The PV panels were simply mounted on the south-facing elevations of the plant enclosures
on the top of the school’s five blocks, with further panels mounted on the front of the
building as cladding.

Case Study: Solar Rain Screen Cladding

Manchester College of Art
& Technology

Manchester College of Arts and Technology (MANCAT) has incorporated pioneering solar
design in their North Manchester Sixth Form Centre. The south facade of the building is
clad in a striking monolithic array of solar PV panels. Taking advantage of the building’s flat
roof, rows of PV panels crown the building providing further clean energy. The new library
roof also incorporates solar hot water technologies.

Solarcentury provided specialised PV knowledge to assist in the design of the ventilated

rainscreen cladding system on the south facade of the new development, offsetting
building material costs of traditional cladding materials.

The positioning of the solar modules in relation to the main wall created a “cladding void”
to help regulate the internal temperatures of the building by minimising solar gain in the
summer and, secondly, by encouraging a ‘thermal stack effect’ which helps to draw
fresh warm air through the building spaces. This helps to minimise the year-round energy
demand of the development and keeps the PV panels operating at their highest efficiency,
maximising the contribution of the PV to the building’s energy requirements.
For advice and options on your solar architecture project
contact Solarcentury now:

Tel: 0207 803 0166

email: commercial@solarcentury.com

Solarcentury is the only RIBA accredited solar photovoltaic CPD provider

Cover image:
Quad, Derby
9.0 kWp
scm00012-08-10-08

All information correct at time of press