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Schüco – Your Partner for Windows and Solar
It´s Energy²

A house that generates electricity directly from sunlight by means of its windows, roof and façade – it’s a fascinating thought. Photovoltaics has always suffered from the fact that the electricity yield is low and the comparative cost of the systems so high that generous government subsidies have been needed to make them cost-effective for the user. With its concept of “Energy² – saving energy and generating energy”, Schüco has already set an important course for the future. Energy² shows how technology, form and function can have a combined effect on a building project or on a product: with maximum security for the user, effective automation and always with excellent design.

The continuous growth in the world’s population and increasing prosperity have led to a marked increase in the consumption of natural resources, particularly in terms of finite primary energy sources. As exploration for new resources becomes ever more expensive, the result is permanent price increases for gas and oil on world markets. Both these factors demand a rethink and new strategies. The message and the task are clear: using energy resources sensibly and finding new ways to generate energy are central to the challenges facing this generation and generations to come. The aims are to lower energy consumption, use renewable energy and protect the environment, whilst stimulating economic growth.

Schüco is already making a significant contribution around the globe with, for example, innovative façades, which efficiently combine solar technology and thermal insulation. Rising energy prices will therefore have a particularly marked effect here. Global crude oil prices have quadrupled since the mid-1990s. Above all, buildings which use less energy and even generate energy will make an important contribution to reducing energy consumption, lowering energy costs and providing greater protection for the environment. The key topics are solar energy from solar thermal and photovoltaic installations, as well as utilisation of effective thermal insulation for windows, doors and façades. Schüco has realised the importance of this challenge and offers a range of efficient, new solutions.

The benefits to the building envelope, however, are not based on falling energy costs alone. The increase in value of energy efficient buildings in the future will be more dramatic than for conventional projects. In addition, intangible factors such as quality of life, quality of housing or prestige are becoming considerably more important. For “intelligent” energy-saving buildings present not only an extraordinarily positive image, they also make a strong contribution to a comfortable environment. This benefits both newbuild projects and the increasingly important area of site maintenance. And it is here that Energy² provides a high level of efficiency, because the fabric of the building is improved in many respects by solar energy generation and effective thermally-insulated building components. As an interface between the indoors and outdoors, the building envelope fulfils numerous functions. In short, it ensures optimum living, working and production conditions. The building envelope also satisfies security requirements and the desire for building functions to be automated, in order to save energy and optimise operating costs through the entire lifespan of the project. At the same time, the technical and aesthetic integration of solar technology represents a significant challenge. And finally, the architects and users of a building have a high level of requirements in terms of the design of the building envelope and its components. Energy² is therefore inextricably linked with products and innovations from the areas of automation, security and design.

“Worldwide concern about climate change shows that the challenge facing the industry now lies in advocating a future worth living, without the consumer having to compromise on comfort or living standards. With its concept ‘Energy² – Saving Energy, Generating energy’ Schüco is in an excellent position,” said Dirk U. Hindrichs, President and CEO of Schüco International KG. “In conjunction with the new solar products such as the ground source heat pump, combined with solar thermal and photovoltaics, the reality of the ‘energy neutral building’ is already within our grasp,” he said.

“The world is sick – Schüco already has the medicine.” It was under this motto that Schüco International KG supported the German launch of the Al Gore film “An Inconvenient Truth”. The reason for involvement is simple: when it comes to the design and construction of buildings, it is the “outer envelope” that is of prime importance. Although it represents only approximately 15 % of construction costs, it is responsible for the largest proportion of energy consumption in terms of heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting. It is still the case that in Germany more than 30 % of all energy is consumed by buildings. Modern, thermally insulated Schüco façades, on the other hand, require up to 60 % less energy.

More efficient and more economical

More efficient and more economical PV technology is a key to this strategy and, at the same time, it demonstrates the company’s commitment to protecting the environment. Schüco International KG and E.ON AG have announced the launch of a joint company, which will develop and produce photovoltaic (PV) modules for office façades using thin-film technology. Schüco is the market leader for transparent metal (aluminium/steel) and glass façades as well as for the integration of photovoltaics in the building envelope, on the roof, windows and on the façade. The company intends to dovetail all existing building capabilities in its Energy² vision: saving energy and generating energy.

The priority of the joint venture is to improve the cost-benefit ratio of the integration of PV modules in the building façade and to make it more attractive for a much larger market. In-house production of thin-film modules is expected to begin at a site in Saxony-Anhalt/Germany by mid-2008. Research & Development will be carried out in Bielefeld. This investment of approx. 100 million euros will create some 150 new jobs in Germany.

“With a good cost-benefit ratio, thin-film technology has the potential to become an integral part of the building façade. Architects are increasingly focusing not only on modern aesthetics, but also on the carbon-neutral value of solar energy. After all, there are numerous areas on every building that are set at the required angle in relation to the sun. I have no doubt that, in the near future, solar energy systems will become a commonplace sight on buildings,” explains Hindrichs.

Schüco has been one of the most famous and successful brands for all aspects of the building envelope for more than 50 years. Schüco products are everywhere, from family homes in Europe to residential tower blocks in Moscow and luxury hotels in Dubai. The driving force behind this success has been a constant stream of new system-based ideas. From the outset, the company has always focused on the added benefits of complete units rather than just on individual products, and it now develops windows, doors, façades, conservatories and solar technology – everything that envelopes a building and that protects against rain, wind, heat or cold. 4700 employees work side by side with 12,000 partners in 75 countries to generate 1.6 billion euros.

Contact: www.schueco.com

 

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