Harnessing Solar Power and Energy Efficiency: SolarLab’s Innovative Facade Solutions

SolarLab is redefining the future of construction by integrating solar technology into building materials, providing an innovative solution that not only pays for itself but also generates energy. By embedding photovoltaic (PV) cells into aesthetically pleasing building elements, SolarLab enables buildings to generate renewable energy while simultaneously improving energy efficiency.

Their innovative solar facades simultaneously provide free electricity and beautiful cladding for new or retrofit projects while ensuring durability and resilience.

As the global demand for sustainable solutions grows, SolarLab’s products, designed with a European supply chain, offer predictable environmental footprints and verifiable sustainability through published Environmental Product Declarations (EPD).

Traditional building materials often lack a return on investment and contribute little to a building’s overall energy efficiency. In contrast, SolarLab identified an opportunity to merge aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability by integrating solar technology directly into the facade of buildings.

SolarLab’s building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products solve two critical issues:

Renewable Energy Production ☀️

The BIPV systems are integrated into a building’s facade, offering a discreet and efficient method for harnessing solar energy. By converting building exteriors into energy-generating surfaces, these facades contribute to long-term energy savings and provide a compelling return on investment over time — effectively making them the only building material that pays for itself.

Energy Production and Payback 💰

SolarLab’s facades are equipped with PV cells that generate electricity throughout the day, drastically cutting a building’s reliance on grid power. Over time, the energy savings pay back the initial investment cost, turning SolarLab’s facades into a net-positive contributor to the building’s energy profile.

One example of a building that used this innovative product is the Bornholm Hospital in which it selected this low weight cladding to protect the enhanced insulation of the hospital as part of a complete energy renovation. The system was mounted directly onto the new Rockwool insulation and provides a durable and resilient facade that is self-cleaning and maintenance-free.

The hospital’s east and west facades feature planar solar panels installed as horizontal bands between the windows, while the entire south facade is adorned with a mosaic of 500 individually tilted square solar panels. The combination of a matte Satin finish and a unique structural color coating gives the facade a dynamic, iridescent effect that will never fade.

With over 35 unique panel designs required to accommodate the aged and settled concrete structure, the integrated pipeline efficiently managed the challenge. The resulting BIPV facade also boasts a minimal build height, ensuring a perfect fit within the available building envelope.

The Breidablikk building in Haugesund, Norway, is a BREEAM Excellent-certified office space that merges innovative architecture with sustainability. Developed by Sæbø Holding, it features 800 square meters of solar panels on the roof and SolarLab’s solar-powered facades, achieving high energy efficiency at 45 kWh per m² annually.

Architect Peter Feltendal’s design includes a color-shifting facade that changes with light, adding visual interest while shading interiors to reduce cooling needs.

1. High Energy Production: SolarLab’s facade and roof panels generate significant energy, helping buildings like Breidablikk produce up to 100,000 kWh annually, reducing reliance on external power sources.
2. Dynamic Aesthetic Appeal: SolarLab panels feature color-shifting properties that change based on light and viewing angle, adding visual interest and modern appeal to the building’s exterior.
3. Energy Efficiency and Reduced Cooling Needs: By positioning panels for optimal sun exposure, SolarLab’s design provides natural shading, reducing cooling requirements and enhancing energy efficiency.
4. Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly: SolarLab uses renewable energy sources, aligning with environmental standards like BREEAM, making it ideal for sustainable and low-carbon projects.
5. Customizable Design: SolarLab panels can be tailored in size and orientation to fit diverse building designs, allowing architects greater flexibility in achieving both aesthetic and functional goals.

The Breidablikk building sets a benchmark for sustainable office design, combining renewable energy with a visually dynamic, energy-efficient structure.

Here are other examples of buildings that integrated the (BIPV) facade cladding in an effort to economize and help protect the environment.

SolarLab prides itself on its EU-based supply chain, ensuring that its products meet stringent European sustainability and labor standards. This local sourcing also allows for a predictable environmental footprint, an increasingly important factor in green construction projects.

In addition, SolarLab has published an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), providing full transparency into the environmental impact of their materials. The EPD reflects an average impact of various types and dimensions of SolarLab BIPV panels; therefore, some SolarLab customized solutions has a lower environmental footprints than those outlined in the EPD. This flexibility allows architects, designers, and developers to select options that align with their specific sustainability goals, offering confidence that SolarLab’s products support environmentally responsible building practices.

SolarLab’s product, available on the 2050 Materials Platform, offers detailed sustainability insights for construction professionals. The platform helps professionals in the architecture, engineering and construction field evaluate the environmental performance of materials and select solutions that align with their sustainability goals. SolarLab’s BIPV products, featured prominently on the platform, underscore the company’s commitment to environmentally responsible innovation.

• Energy Generation: Integrated PV technology that allows facades to generate renewable energy.
• Fast Payback: The energy generated by the facades leads to a quick payback period, often within five years.
• Sustainability: With a European supply chain and published EPD, the product offers verified environmental benefits.
• Aesthetic Flexibility: The facade designs are customizable, providing both functional and visually appealing options for buildings.

SolarLab’s innovative solar facades represent a new frontier in sustainable building materials, combining renewable energy generation with practical design benefits. As a building material that truly pays for itself, SolarLab’s products are poised to become a staple in energy-efficient, sustainable construction. The quick payback period, combined with the aesthetic and functional improvements these facades provide, makes them a top choice for developers, architects, designers and engineers looking to minimize environmental impact while maximizing energy savings.

Explore SolarLab’s products on the 2050 Materials Platform and discover how building-integrated photovoltaics can revolutionize your next project.