Eight prize winners of the 20th Swiss Solar Prize rely on the aesthetic and functional quality of the integrated photovoltaic panels from Lyss
From the new Monte Rosa cabin to energy retrofitting for old buildings and energy-plus houses, to the largest photovoltaic installation integrated into any building in Switzerland – on the roof of a cow shed: a significant number of winners of this year’s Swiss Solar Prize use the aesthetically pleasing solar roof or façade systems from 3S Swiss Solar Systems. This high number of users among the prize winners shows that solar pioneers and regular users have an extremely high regard for the high quality solar panels from Lyss, which can be integrated perfectly into the building shell.
Projects using solar panels from 3S Swiss Solar Systems AG in Lyss take the top prizes in all categories of this year’s Swiss Solar Prize which was awarded at the beginning of September: above all Europe-wide prize winner Kraftwerk B, an energy-plus apartment building in Bennau, which received the first Norman Foster Solar Award in 2010. This project by Grab Architects in Altendorf, with its exemplary design, generates 10 % more energy than it needs every year. The house and gazebo roofs generate around 32,000 kWh electricity per year using a 32 kWp MegaSlate® solar roof system from 3S Photovoltaics. The top prize winner in the EnergyPlus Buildings category generates 182% of its energy consumption. A typical working class house in Vaduz built 57 years ago has also been fitted with MegaSlate® solar panels from 3S. The building won two prizes and also was placed first in the Building Renovation category. Two further EnergyPlus buildings fitted with 3S panels integrated into the building were awarded certificates for EnergyPlus buildings.
Two quite spectacular solar projects in an Alpine environment, the new SAC cabin Monte Rosa and the solar restaurant Klein Matterhorn, were awarded prizes in the New Buildings category. Both buildings have a photovoltaic façade from 3S Photovoltaics and are an excellent example of reduction and optimisation of energy consumption in high mountain regions. The 3S solar installations in the Valais Alps and near Zermatt represent two pioneering projects in the industry: photovoltaic experts and technology leaders from Lyss have developed and manufactured special, highly weather-resistant solar panels for installation in the façades at both of these high Alpine locations.
All prize-winning projects demonstrate that solar energy systems, frequently combined with eco-friendly and energy efficient construction, can be implemented easily in all types of construction projects as well as be aesthetically pleasing. 3S Photovoltaics is one of the pioneers in this field and can look back on many years experience with its MegaSlate® solar roof system and photovoltaic façades integrated in buildings.
The Swiss Solar Prize was first awarded by the Swiss Solar Agency in 1990. Since then over 2,900 projects have been evaluated by the Swiss Solar Prize jury and 262 have been awarded the Swiss Solar Prize.
The MegaSlate® solar roof system from 3S Swiss Solar Systems AG is a cutting-edge concept with a stylish architectural design for use in new buildings and roof renovation projects. It offers all the advantages of a traditional roof and replaces traditional roof covers as a fully integrated or partially integrated covering. The aesthetic synthesis of a robust, weather-resistant building shell and an efficient, eco-friendly electricity generation system can be supplemented with a warm water system. MegaSlate® solar modules have TÜV certification and undergo stringent testing for wind and snow loads, impermeability to rain, resistance to hail as well as fire safety.
3S solar laminates for façades also represent harmonious integration of photovoltaics into buildings façades. The frameless solar laminates in standard or customised units are an example of pioneering architecture, and only the best materials are used in their manufacture.
The quality solar systems from 3S Swiss Solar Systems for integration in buildings are now being marketed under the brand name 3S Photovoltaics.
3S Solar façade Klein Matterhorn
Contact:
Dr. Anja Knaus
3S Swiss Solar Systems AG
Head of Communications
fon +41(0)32 391 1136 fax +41(0)32 391 1112
anja.knaus@3-s.ch
www.3S-pv.ch, www.3-s.ch
About 3S Swiss Solar Systems AG
3S Swiss Solar Systems has for years been the world’s technological market leader in the field of laminating. With fully automatic laminating lines from Lyss, module manufacturers worldwide today produce photovoltaic modules of highest quality. Since 2008, 3S Swiss Solar Systems has been integrating various machines into turnkey production lines for the manufacture of solar modules with greatly differing degrees of automation. The equipment for solar module producers is now being marketed under the brand-name of 3S Modultec.
Our company also develops and produces, under the newly introduced brand 3S Photovoltaics, trend-setting, building-integrated solar systems and has specialised here in solar modules for roofs, facades and shading solutions. Solar modules from our factory in Lyss are the perfect synthesis of a robust, weatherproof building shell and efficient, environmentally friendly energy production.
3S Swiss Solar Systems with the brands of 3S Modultec – Module Solutions and 3S Photovoltaics – Solar Building Technologies has been a subsidiary of Meyer Burger Technology AG since January 2010.
About Meyer Burger Technology Ltd
www.meyerburger.ch
Meyer Burger is a leading and globally active technology group for innovative systems and processes for cutting and handling crystalline and other high-grade materials.
The machines, competences and technologies of the different companies within the group are used in the solar industry (photovoltaics), semiconductor and optical industry. The thinnest wafers made from silicon, sapphire or other crystals are required in these three markets to manufacture solar modules, switching circuits or high-performance LEDs. The group’s core competences are made up of a whole range of production processes, machines and systems that are used within the value chain in the manufacture of high quality wafers. Since the merger in January 2010 with 3S Industries Ltd, the worldwide leader in turnkey production lines and single equipment for the manufacturing of solar modules, the group also covers the entire value chain for solar module production and combines the key technologies of soldering, laminating and testing under one roof. Solar module manufacturers worldwide use the string soldering machines of Somont, the laminating lines of 3S Swiss Solar Systems and the testing technologies of Pasan, to produce solar modules whose performance, operating life and quality meet the highest demands. The group’s comprehensive range of products includes a worldwide service network with wear and tear parts, consumables, re-grooving services, process know-how, servicing, after-sales service, training and other services. As a globally active company, the group is represented in Europe, Asia and North America in the respective key markets.
Meyer Burger has its headquarters and the production facility of Meyer Burger Ltd in Switzerland, while the group companies, Meyer Burger Automation GmbH, Hennecke Systems GmbH and AMB Apparate + Maschinenbau GmbH have their headquarters and production facilities in Germany. Diamond Materials Tech, Inc. has its headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO, USA. The production facilities of 3S Swiss Solar Systems and Pasan are also located in Switzerland, while Somont is located in Germany. Meyer Burger Group has also subsidiaries and own service centres in Germany, Norway, Spain, USA, China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. In other important markets, the company relies on selected independent agents. The registered shares of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (Ticker: MBTN).
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