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Solar absorbing wall technology
After developing a pioneering coating which can help warm up or cool down a building, AkzoNobel has now become exclusive paint supplier to the “Calosol” heat-retaining façade technology it helped to create.
The innovative panel system – which transforms the façades of homes and buildings into a source of energy – was created together with Dutch partners Emergo and TNO. At the heart of the technology is a special AkzoNobel coating which can harness energy from the portion of sunlight invisible to the human eye. Which means the system can capture solar energy as long as there’s daylight – even when it’s raining.
Suitable for new-builds or renovation projects – which can be disconnected from the gas network – estimates suggest using the new technology can result in 20-30 % less electricity being needed, compared with a traditional air-to-water heat pump. So there’s potential to make homes and buildings energy neutral, or even energy positive. The technology can also contribute to green building certifications such as BREEAM and LEED.
Being able to capture the part of the solar spectrum that’s invisible to humans – which accounts for more than 50% of the total amount of solar energy – means the aesthetically pleasing panels can be supplied to building designers in virtually any color, thanks to AkzoNobel’s “Interpon” and “Fidura” portfolios. Traditionally, black is most associated with absorbing light, but when using the “Calosol” technology white, for example, has more than 30 % higher solar absorption.
With around 60 billion square meters of unused façade surfaces in the European Union alone, and just as much roof surface, the technology has huge green building potential. As well as being successfully tested in lengthy pilot projects conducted with several Dutch housing associations, the new system also features on a sports hall in Almere and is being installed in several public buildings across the Netherlands during the next few months.
Further information: www.akzonobel.com