INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY ... - PHOTON Info

November 2009
An attractive address: the Galaxia has already leased all of its
units; there are plans to build an additional complex
Guido Schiefer / photon-pictures.com
The solution to these problems came in
the form of a big envelope-like covering, or a
greenhouse, as many observers call it. Importantly,
the notion of a superstructure such as
this also afforded the possibility, even the
necessity, of using PV. »If you decide to make
a big envelope, that’s big money, too, and so
I suggested we go PV and use this envelope as
a supporting frame for PV,« says Samyn. The
envelope also provides insulation, which reduces
energy consumption, and the semitransparent
modules, with their patial shadowing
effect, help to regulate temperature
and light inside the buildings.
Belgian company Issol handled the planning
and installation of the system. Issol also
manufactured the modules together with
another Belgian company, cell manufacturer
Photovoltech NV. Several prototypes were
developed for Samyn before creating the
customized modules that fi t the architect’s
vision. As with the entire project, which was
conceived in 2007 and more or less constructed
by the end of 2008, speed was essential.
Laurent Quittre, Issol’s CEO, recounts that
besides meeting module specifi cations, the
biggest challenge was the pressure to complete
the installation quickly. The system was
built between November 2008 and early April
2009 – an eternity for a normal 300 kW system,
but for a project like the Galaxia, not an
enormous amount of time.
For a project that came together so quickly,
and during a time of great economic diffi
culties, the Galaxia Business Park has come
very close to achieving its goal. As of July, 90
percent of the offi ces at Galaxia are occupied.
Collard says there are already plans to build
a second business park at the same location.
Collard also believes that the Galaxia is
sparking a great deal of interest in the use
of PV in architecture. Its location on the
highway, while a challenge for the architect,
also ensures plenty of people see it. Already,
Collard says, a lot of people are calling him
and asking for more information about the
building and its design. »It’s giving the opportunity
to other companies to think: why
not us, why didn’t we build such a building
and use photovoltaic panels?« Chris Warren
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