Sunways AG supports Konstanz students in architectural competition

Konstanz/Germany (ptp006/07.09.2012/10:00) Trendsetting photovoltaic solutions at the international "Solar Decathlon Europe" / Building of the future with roof-integrated photovoltaics / "Ecolar" plus-energy home with solar charging station

Sunways AG is supporting students of the Konstanz University of Applied Sciences (HTWG) as a premium sponsor at the international "Solar Decathlon Europe 2012" architectural competition. The Konstanz-based photovoltaic specialist supplied anthracite-coloured design solar cells and solar inverters for the "Ecolar" plus-energy home and was on hand during the two-year planning and construction phase to provide expert assistance.

The "Solar Decathlon Europe" is held every two years by the Spanish government and aims to promote sustainable architectural concepts. The most important prerequisite for competitors: buildings must generate sufficient solar energy to meet all their energy needs. Twenty university teams from around the world will be presenting their entries at this year's final in Madrid. The two-week-long exhibition is expected to attract an estimated 600,000 visitors.

This isn't the first time that Sunways has got involved. In 2010, Sunways supported the HFT Stuttgart with its project entitled "Home+", which won third place in the overall rankings and included golden Sunways design solar cells in the building's facade. "Solar technology will play an important role in the energy-efficient construction of the future. There is enormous potential for a form of energy generation that is both eco-friendly and aesthetic just waiting to be tapped in roofs and facades. Sunways is a pioneer in the field of building-integrated photovoltaics. We were therefore happy to contribute our products and many years of experience to the project," explains Dr. Harald F. Schäfer, spokesman for Sunways AG.

All in all, the "Ecolar" house produces more energy than it consumes. The main energy source is the timber structure's 104-square-metre flat roof, which contains solar glass modules with an output of 12.7 kilowatts peak (kWp). Sunways once again teamed up with Austrian glass construction specialist Ertex Solartechnik GmbH to produce the custom products, each of which measures approximately 4x1 metres. The modules are equipped with Sunways solar cells in the company's new anthracite shade, which was developed specifically for the project. While normal solar cells are used above the building's residential units, solar glass modules with semi-transparent solar cells were installed over the two open areas of the building to create canopies. Approximately seven percent of sunlight penetrates the solar cells through slots. As a result, the multifunctional solar modules provide a weather and sun shield as well as generating electricity. For a consistent look, the solar cells in the solar modules have a perforated white film finish.

In addition to photovoltaics, the building's energy system includes intelligent insulation made from one-hundred-percent untreated natural materials and a geothermal heat pump. One of the outdoor areas also has a special feature in terms of sustainability: excess energy from the solar system can be fed directly to the building's own solar charging station to power an electric car.

For further information on the "Ecolar" house by the Konstanz University of Applied Sciences (HTWG), please go to http://sde2012.htwg-konstanz.de/de/team-ecolar.html .

Find out more about the "Home+" entry from HFT Stuttgart in 2010 at http://www.sdeurope.de .

This press release is also available on http://www.sunways.eu/en .

About Sunways
Sunways AG, Konstanz/Germany, stands for consistent use of solar energy to secure long-term energy supply of man in an efficient and sustainable manner. Sunways offers technological competence, performance and highest quality - from single components to complete solar systems.
Since its foundation in 1993, Sunways AG evolved into a technology leader in the photovoltaics industry serving international markets. With silicon-based solar cells, inverters, solar modules and solar systems, the company offers all components required for high-yield photovoltaic power generation. With photovoltaic solutions tailored to customers' needs (transparent and coloured solar cells, building- integrated photovoltaic installations), Sunways turns exceptional ideas into reality.
Sunways Production GmbH in Arnstadt/Germany is a subsidiary of Sunways AG; in addition, the group has own branch offices in Barcelone/Spain and Bologna/Italy. In 2011, Sunways AG with about 330 employees realised sales of around Eur 115 million.
The shares of Sunways AG are listed at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (SWW:GR, SWWG.DE, ISIN DE0007332207).
For further information, please visit http://www.sunways.eu/en .

Aussender:	Sunways AG
Ansprechpartner:	Dr. Harald F. Schäfer
Tel.:	+49 (0)7531 996 77-415
E-Mail:	communications@sunways.de
Website:	www.sunways.eu/en