11 November 2014

Etelä-Kymenlaakso Vocational College practices what it preaches

Around 500 students study on the Hamina campus at Etelä-Kymenlaakso Vocational College. The newest campus building is known as the A-Wing, which was completed in 2014 on the site of an earlier building that was demolished as being unfit for use. The new three-story building was designed by architect Ulla Hovi and features premises for group work and meetings. The top part of the glass façade on the south-facing side of the building has been clad with photovoltaic Liberta Solar façade panels that convert sunlight into electricity.

"This is the future in which we want to invest. We want to be show the way and to utilize renewable natural resources. Liberta solar is a ready-designed module that is as if tailored for this building," says Ilpo Kerttula, real estate director at the Joint Authority of Education of Kotka-Hamina region.

The idea for a façade capable of harnessing energy came from the design team, whose premise was to use renewable energy sources when making the new building a reality.

Ideal for modern design language Architect Ulla Hovi thinks that Liberta Solar panels are ideal for almost all building projects, except for wooden buildings and the renovation of old buildings.

"They are ideal for modern design language. Use of the panels depends on the architectural modeling of the building, the position of the façades and the right aspect of the building as regards the light. The use of Liberta Solar in façades makes it easier to use ordinary glass panels in the parts of the building façade that remain in the shade," Ulla Hovi.

Ilpo Kerttula and Ulla Hovi agree that Liberta Solar is ideal not just for public buildings, but also for commercial premises where solar power can be used in a building's M&E solutions.

"Their use indicates environmental values. Repayment time is always relative, after all this is not something you think about when you buy an expensive car. However, this is a profitable investment," Kerttula adds.

Solar panels fitted on a roof are usually the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about solar power. The façade of the new building on the Hamina campus is an integrated building solution. It is impossible to tell where the glass in the façade ends and Liberta Solar begins.

Structure built on the sun's terms

The building's south-facing façade inclines and has been designed so that the façade generates most electricity in the spring and fall.

Integrating Liberta Solar panels into the structure requires more detailed design compared to the installation of conventional glass or metal panels. Integrating the panels into an inclining surface was the most laborious part of the project and one which Ulla Hovi could not have anticipated beforehand.

"Overall, we were very successful. After this "practice run", it will be much easier to include Liberta Solar panels in building design," promises Ulla Hovi, adding that: 

"This project showed the importance of good planning in advance. A skilled general foreman and good team spirit on the site were important elements in successfully accomplishing what we set out to achieve."

Impressive, value-adding feature
On an overcast day in early October, the façade generated around 7 kWh of electricity. When aiming for low- or zero-energy buildings, all sources of renewable energy must be harnessed.

"The façade has also generated a surprising amount of electricity even on overcast days. The electricity is fed into the school's own grid. No power is wasted at any stage since air-conditioning and lighting constantly require some electricity, even in summer," says Ilpo Kerttula.

The building's owner, the Joint Authority of Education, is also pleased with the building. The building is not only impressive, but the investment in utilizing renewable energy sources has also added to the building's value.

"This is the future, especially if we want to also leave our children something," sums up Kerttula.

"Besides solar energy, we also utilize ground-source heat. Electrical engineering and building technologies are the areas we teach here. It's only natural to use renewable energy technology also in teaching," says real estate director Ilpo Kerttula.
Ruukki's delivery included: Liberta Solar façade panels: 64 panels, 1190 mm x 630 mm
Updated/checked: 17 Nov 2014
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