Koblenz – As a leading manufacturer of aluminum and metal roofs, facades, and building envelopes, Kalzip has been setting standards in roof-integrated solar energy for over 20 years. With a recent update, the AluPlusSolar system is now also available in a variety of colors. This enables Kalzip to equip colored standing-seam roofs with virtually invisible photovoltaic modules—an innovation that opens the door to harmonious roof design and offers architects even greater creative freedom when planning aesthetically sophisticated buildings.
Flexibility Meets Photovoltaics
Solar technology is not merely a complementary component but an indispensable one for sustainable energy generation. There is therefore enormous potential in installing PV systems on rooftops—whether in new construction or renovation projects. Architects and planners rely on solutions that blend harmoniously into the overall design of the existing architecture while ensuring maximum functionality.
Kalzip’s AluPlusSolar system offers design freedom and meets both aesthetic and energy efficiency requirements. The seamless standing seam profiles from the Koblenz-based company serve as the foundation of the system. Made from malleable aluminum profiles, they can be used to create a wide variety of roof shapes—whether convex or concave, organic or geometric. The very flat, flexible solar modules conform to the aluminum profiles. Factory-installed fasteners ensure a secure installation.
Photovoltaics Meets Color
A variety of color options are already widely available for Kalzip’s roofing and facade products. Now, it is also possible to customize roof-integrated solar modules with a matching color coating. “This opens up countless design options for solar roofs: red barrel roofs are just as possible as black gable roofs on historic buildings, where the PV system is integrated so seamlessly that it’s virtually invisible. Another advantage here is the low weight: At just five kilograms per square meter, the AluPlusSolar profiles are a real game-changer for renovation projects,” explains Heiko Zadow, a specialist in PV and facade systems at Kalzip.
Color Meets Function
The solar modules used are made of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic and a patented glass-fiber mesh. The monocrystalline cells used ensure particularly high performance and are capable of converting over 22 percent of light energy into electrical current. There is no loss of performance with the black version of the modules. Depending on the brightness of the selected shade, a percentage reduction in standard power output of 140 Wp can be expected due to the associated reflection.
Invisible Solar Energy for the Winery
A particularly successful example of solar architecture can be found not far from Lake Garda in Italy: For 250 years, the Boscaini family has been producing its traditional Italian wines in Gargagnago di Valpolicella, near Verona. A new, modern wine cellar is being built in a new structure named after the street address “Monteleone 21.” Visitors to the winery can also stop by the bar or restaurant and stock up on wine for their own cellars at the shop. The building’s design placed special emphasis on innovation and sustainability, as well as integration into the surrounding landscape. In addition to geothermal energy, solar energy is utilized here: Kalzip’s AluPlusSolar roof-integrated photovoltaic system was installed. A unique feature: To match the color of the roof and solar panels to the rest of the building, both were custom-made in the shade “Indian Brown.”
Visuals
Copyright: Studio Architetti Mar. Photographer: Francesco Ceola/Lorenzo Segato
