Building covered with solar panels generates 1 million kWh of electricity per year

Dutch architecture firm MVRDV is partnering with Taiwanese power company Taipower to launch a unique clean energy project.

In a new announcement on the company's website, MVRDV announced plans to build a giant building powered almost entirely by solar energy at the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park in western Taiwan.

The Sun Rock building, which includes offices, a maintenance workshop, storage space and a public gallery, will become the future base of operations for the Taiwanese government-owned Taipower power company. Loan.

Simulate the Sun Rock building when completed.

The highlight of the project lies in the facade. It is almost completely enclosed in solar panels, but of course still has windows and vents to promote natural light and air exchange.

According to MVRDV, Taipower's new facility site receives a large amount of sunlight throughout the year. Therefore, the round shape of Sun Rock is designed to maximize energy extraction.

On the south side, the building slopes gently, creating a large surface area for direct sunlight in the middle of the day. On the north side, the dome design maximizes the area exposed to sunlight in the morning and afternoon.

The panels will be arranged in "folds", with the tilt angle which can be fine-tuned to convert light into energy most efficiently.

Solar cells installed in multiple folds can be tilted.

Combining these measures, the building can support at least 4,000 square meters of solar cells, helping to generate nearly 1 million kWh of clean electricity per year. That not only ensures the building's self-sufficiency, but can also supply excess energy to the local power grid.

MVRDV said it will continue to consider other design options to further expand the solar panel area, hoping to increase the building's annual electricity output to 1.7 million kWh.