The team said that the photovoltaic energy-generating concrete facade has the capability to double the energy generation traditionally achieved by roof-based solar systems.
A prototype of the new system is being presented this week at Batimat, the French construction fair, and a pilot project is planned for 2018.
LafargeHolcim and Heliatek have closely collaborated over the last two years to create a cladding system combining Ductal concrete and HeliaFilm, Heliatek鈥檚 flexible and ultra-light solar film. Prefabricated Ductal panels are delivered to site with an integrated solar energy-generation system.
The cladding boosts the building鈥檚 ability to generate energy independently and offers a reliable, decentralized and decarbonized energy supply, claim LafargeHolcim and Heliatek. A 10-storey commercial building that has 60% of its facade covered with the Ductal/HeliaFilm cladding system could generate approximately 30%, they say.
G茅rard Kuperfarb, group head of growth and innovation at LafargeHolcim said: 鈥淟afargeHolcim seeks to offer sustainable, high-performance construction solutions that improve energy efficiency for buildings. With this Ductal/HeliaFilm solution, building owners and developers as well as architects and engineers will be able to mitigate the energy costs of a building while enjoying the many benefits of a very light, low maintenance and long-lasting cladding 蝉辞濒耻迟颈辞苍.鈥�
鈥滳ooperation like the one we have with LafargeHolcim is at the core of our strategy,鈥� said Thibaud Le S茅guillon, CEO of Heliatek. 鈥淥ur HeliaFilm is the active element which transforms building cladding into a power station. This is the path to green, localised electricity.鈥�