ENGIE and Heliatek innovate to enjoy more of the sun during the whole summer

18/07/2017

News

ENGIE Laborelec’s buildings in Linkebeek have been covered with an organic photovoltaic film made by German company Heliatek. The film is built right in to the front facade and glazed surfaces of ENGIE Laborelec’s buildings, making it possible to test new solar energy-related technological systems.

A total surface area of 50 m2 has been covered with organic film, capable of generating an estimated annual output of 2,300 kWh, i.e. equivalent to the amount of energy consumed by a home.

In the future, we will not generate or consume energy the same way we do today. Given this context, ENGIE and Heliatek decided to launch a new project to install organic photovoltaic film on the facades of ENGIE Laborelec buildings. With this project, ENGIE aims to respond to the growing demand for zero CO2 emission buildings, i.e. passive buildings, in order to minimise our customers’ energy bills. The cost of these new photovoltaic films from Heliatek is falling regularly. Consequently, there are good reasons to think that these films will soon become profitable without government support.

Heliatek is a leader in the organic electrical energy industry. Thanks to its excellent results in developing materials and its proven ability to manufacture in large volumes, Heliatek is the first company able to market very large sheets of OPV solar film. Heliatek CEO Thibaud Le Séguillon explains: “Heliatek’s mission is to make decentralised power generation possible. At the same time, we encourage using new technologies on existing infrastructure, such as the buildings themselves.”

 

Undeniable aesthetic gains

Heliatek organic films were placed in two locations:  installed directly on a fibre cement support fitted to the south facade of the ENGIE Laborelec building, and incorporated into the glazed surfaces at the building entrance. An installation like this shows how electricity generation can be combined with aesthetic improvements and a more appealing appearance for the existing facades.

Numerous projects

ENGIE and Heliatek are currently planning new joint projects. Upon completion of the project currently underway at ENGIE Laborelec, the two companies are planning to install organic photovoltaic films on ENGIE Fabricom buildings in Antwerp by October. ENGIE and Heliatek are also preparing a large-scale project that involves installing photovoltaic films in La Rochelle, France, scheduled for implementation later this year.