Solarwatt PV powers stunning Terraced Tower in Rotterdam, Netherlands

Work has finished on The Terraced Tower, an exceptional building in Rotterdam, Holland. The top of the tower is mounted with Solarwatt solar panels – a major challenge due to the heavy winds typical for such a high structure.

The 110-metre-high block, housing 334 private apartments, features 216 Solarwatt Vision 60M glass-glass modules, mounted on a concrete and steel roof. As high-rise buildings have proportionally small roofs, solar cells were also installed on walls, in a façade comprising 111 Solarwatt Construct glass-glass modules.

Commissioned in April and installed in May, the PV plant has a total output of 103 kWp, or 93,000 kWh per year. The system saved 9624.43 kg of CO₂ in emissions between 10 May and 19 July, corresponding to 289 planted trees – and the trend is rising.

Kees Nielen, Commercial Director of the project manager energy@theoffice, said: "Working with Solarwatt is great. They deliver beautiful products and are one of the few suppliers who provide the type of robust panels required for this tower.

“Their glass-to-glass panels are 100% approved to use at this height against all extreme weather conditions such as wind."

Others involved were the project developer BESIX Constructing, InstallatieTechniek Louwer – responsible for power supply in the building, and Technea Duurzaam, a specialist in sustainable installation technology.

Power produced by the building-integrated solar PV (‘BIPV’) installation will serve central functions such as elevators and in communal areas.