You cannot surprise anyone with solar cells on the roofs. The Tres Reyes has gone further. It is allegedly the first commercial building of its kind in the world. Its South-facing facade (and parts of East and West) is clad in 1263 high-tec solar panels. After the building is completed it will feature 1937 modules totalling a surface of 12,000 sq-ft with a peak power of 14,168W.
It is estimated that the annual production of electricity will reach 21,430kWh. This amount of green energy would prevent 14 tonnes of CO2 from being emitted. More than 1200 trees would be needed to neutralize an identical amount of CO2. And that it without counting significant savings the hotel would make on its heating and cooling bills.
Where does that comes from, you might ask. The thin-film solar cells created by Schott are embedded in laminated glass. The glass panels are mounted on top of the hotel’s wall structure thus providing an extra insulation layer.
Although the solar panels being vertically positioned means the sun rays won’t fall on the surface at an optimum angle, 21,430kWh of free electricity is a great result. Besides, the building looks amazing. It is both architectural and technological success.
Thanks for the post, more buildings need to start be constructed like this.
So yeah… all this attention on CO2 is kinda misplaced… you know since it isn’t even the worst of the green house gasses… why isn’t anyone looking at methane production? After all, Methane is more likely responsible than CO2 on these issues with global warming and such. Seriously, kill a cow or two and actually help fight the real problem.
I will say however, that this is a great idea and a step in the right direction… but this issue is more than just CO2.
Hi jm, great to see other green house sceptics here! You made a very good point! There are so many environmental issues that need our attention and the CO2 is not the worst one. Why not shut the coal plants first to get rid of mercury pollution. Regarding the cows, LOL 😀 what would we do with all the killed cows? I’d certainly not want to encourage people eating red meat… bad for you health!
On a more serious note, if the farmers could be persuaded to switch from cattle breeding to organic vegetable growing, we would ALL benefit (including the farmers).
Thank you for the initial post.
Please notice also we are not located in the most sunny area in Spain but in Pamplona (ever heard about San Fermin and bulls running in the streets?), quite northest and rainy main city, close to France and surrounded by mountains.
This technology is useful in that kind of clima
Best regards
Yes, I know somebody who has run in San Fermin twice… and he’s still alive 🙂
I want to thank you for pulling this wonderful project through. I am sure it will inspire others.
As you rightfully noted, Pamplona is not a very sunny place, so, a similar house could be built almost anywhere in Europe and they’d be still looking at thousands of kWhs of green energy per year.
And I still think that the greatest thing about this façade is that it works both as a generator and an insulator.