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SolarWall Information for Architects and Engineers - Designing Buildings of the Future

From the World of Business to the World of Culture;

For an architect, the visual appearance of a building is always of paramount importance.  This is why SolarWall systems have become a favorite among architects who want to incorporate renewable energy systems into their design.  The all-metal paneling comes in a variety of colors and has been used for dramatic effect on dozens of buildings.  It can even be curved or angled to achieve any desired appearance.  Most notable of these is the architecturally-magnificent Swedish Museum of Modern Art where the energy saving curved wall is a key focal point.

 


SolarWall systems have now been used on architectural projects around the world, with a consistent track record of rapid payback and on-going energy cost savings, which can be very helpful when working with a client with an eye on the bottom line.   SolarWall solutions are cost effective, made from standard building materials (aluminum or steel), easy to include and virtually maintenance free, making it easier to persuade a hesitant client to incorporate renewable energy sources in their building’s design (new or retrofit).  The system can also be easily integrated with PV and existing HVAC systems.       
                            
SolarWall & LEED

The SolarWall technology has been specified and incorporated into many LEED certified buildings.  It typically qualifies for up to 6 points, which is a significant number for one technology because it can help a project to achieve the next level of certification.  The SolarWall technology is LEED qualifying in the following categories:

Energy & Atmosphere

Materials & Resources

Indoor Environmental Quality

aia logoTo take the AIA (American Institute of Architects) continuing education course on SolarWall, please visit Ron Blank's site to learn about Solar Heating Metal Wall Systems.

  

Download CSI Formatted SolarWall Specifications:

10-Part MANU-SPEC®
SW150/SW250 Profiledownloads: 565 | type: pdf | size: 492 kB
3-Part MANU-SPEC®
SW150/SW250 Profile (Word Doc Format)downloads: 176 | type: doc | size: 50 kB
SW150/SW250 Profile (PDF Format)downloads: 197 | type: pdf | size: 37 kB
Color Chart
SW150/SW250 Profile Color Chartdownloads: 269 | type: pdf | size: 49 kB

 

What Architects and Engineers have to say about Working with SolarWall Technology

BC SolarWall firehallTo understand why the SolarWall technology is well regarded in the architectural and engineering community, various architects and engineers elaborate below on their experiences with this particular technology, and how they regard it from the perspective of energy savings, the LEED process, indoor air quality and overall ease of integration into the design of the building.

"[I]t’s like free gas for your car...We were using metal fascia anyway, and there was a conventional ventilation system.  Just by adding the SolarWall panels, it became this solar thing that lets them save energy and money.  Like I said, it’s like backing up to a free gas pump."
-Dave Stafford, architect at Thurston Design; Rapid City Community Centers, SD

"We specified SolarWall for the Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute after speaking with the representatives of the firm. They attended early meetings with the design team, assisted in the preparation of documents required for LEED certification and were at all times enthusiastic and supportive of the team and the project. I know that for the sustainable construction industry to really achieve their goals, we need innovative manufacturers, suppliers and installers like the SolarWall team."
-Carol Kleinfeldt, B.Arch., MOAA, MAAA, FRAIC, LEED A.P. Partner, KMA Inc.; Award winning & LEED Silver Certified Fire & Emergency Services Training Institute at Toronto International Airport

"Our building has blond brick fascia, so the dark brown SolarWall makes a nice contrast.  The design of the SolarWall was stylized to have a bit of pizzazz to it with the angle on the side.  The building was very institutional looking and we used the SolarWall to give it a bit of architectural interest."
-Tony Mancuso, St. Louis County Property Management, Hibbing Annex Courthouse, MN

"Improving air quality and comfort without increasing space heating costs was a real challenge, especially in our climate, but the SolarWall system did just that.  And besides routine care such as oiling the fans, the system is practically maintenance free…..cold spots and drafts were eliminated and the fresh air situation greatly improved. Workers are happy with good air quality and even air temperatures"
-Alois First, Plant Engineer; BOEING

"Nothing special was needed with SolarWall.  We just got the energy and cost savings.  The SolarWall system results in 80,000 - 100,000 kwh savings per year.  And this project is repeatable – you could do the same project with respect to standard budget for any school."
-Laurier Nichols, engineer at Dessau Soprin; Ecole du Tournant, Quebec - ASHRAE award winning school that uses 80% less energy than a typical school

Architecturally Striking SolarWall Projects

Pictures of SolarWall buildings from around the world - please be patient while the images load. Click on the middle of an image to view the full size.