Using solar heat in office and administrative buildings

Many modern office and administrative buildings attract the attention of passers-by with their large facades and glass surfaces. In order to put these surfaces to further use for heat and daylight provision in the future, researchers have developed a new facade system into which high performance evacuated tube collectors have been integrated.

The BINE Projektinfo brochure “Facade collectors with perspective” (07/2013) presents the research project and a first pilot system.

The new facade system fulfils three functions. The collectors contribute to the building heat supply. This heat can be used for providing hot water, supporting the heating system and for thermal cooling. The system is designed in such a way that the indoor areas are lit with semi-transparent daylight. The new facade elements also contribute to sun protection in the indoor areas. This can reduce the need for cooling in the building by up to 90 percent.

The Institut für Baukonstruktion at the University of Stuttgart has developed the new system in collaboration with partners from the scientific and industrial fields. The pilot system was installed at Ritter XL Solar in Langensteinbach near Karlsbad. The first technical results and the feedback given by staff working in the building are highly promising. The new system has been awarded several prizes for technology and design.

The BINE Projektinfo brochure, which can be obtained free of charge from the BINE Information Service at FIZ Karlsruhe, is available online at www.bine.info or by calling +49 (0)228 92379-0. The brochure cover and additional image material is also available for download on this web portal in the press section.

Press contact
Uwe Milles
presse(at)bine.info
About BINE Information Service
Energy research for practical applications
The BINE Information Service reports on energy research topics, such as new materials, systems and components, as well as innovative concepts and methods. The knowledge gained is incorporated into the implementation of new technologies in practice, because first-rate information provides a basis for pioneering decisions, whether in the planning of energy-optimised buildings, increasing the efficiency of industrial processes, or integrating renewable energy sources into existing systems.

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