A Swiss startup, Zurich Soft Robotics, has devised a photovoltaic façade that tracks and moves with the sun. The company calls Solskin the first commercially available intelligent climate-adaptive building envelope.
Developed by architects and robotics researchers at Swiss research university ETH Zurich, the Solskin hardware comprises adjustable photovoltaic modules that serve a dual purpose: producing renewable electricity while also shading the interior.
The PV modules are mounted on a modular structure that includes all the wiring. The dynamic, lightweight system can be used on both new buildings and façade renovations. Through testing, the team also has confirmed the system’s extreme weather resistance.
When placed in front of a building’s windows, Solskin can reduce building energy consumption by up to 80%, according to ETH research. The solar-tracking modules produce up to 40% more electricity than comparable façade systems. In some cases, such as a south-facing glazed office space in Zurich, the Solskin system can cover the building’s entire energy consumption.
Zurich Soft Robotics’ recent innovation, Solskin AI, makes the system even smarter by leveraging predictive self-learning algorithms. With Solskin AI, the system can control the position of the solar modules in real time—achieving optimal energy efficiency and ensuring the comfort of occupants behind the Solskin facades. The use of AI helps address user preferences, weather conditions, and energy consumption.
Solskin’s moving elements constantly adapt to the environment, leading to increased comfort and reduced energy consumption—which will become increasingly critical with climate change.
All Solskin systems will have continuous AI updates, ensuring the energy-efficient, intelligent building envelopes are always up to date, with a focus on longevity and sustainability.
Related Stories
Smart Buildings | May 21, 2015
Resiliency and climate change: Dual perspectives from designers at HDR
Two geographies, two perspectives, one conclusion: from Minnesota to Miami, resiliency matters, write HDR's Bob Beduhn and Lynette Cardoch.
Smart Buildings | May 1, 2015
FEMA to require states to evaluate risks posed by climate change
The aim is for states to do a better job planning for natural disasters they are likely to face in a warming world.
Smart Buildings | Jan 7, 2015
NIBS report: Small commercial buildings offer huge energy efficiency retrofit opportunities
The report identifies several barriers to investment in such retrofits, such as the costs and complexity associated with relatively small loan sizes, and issues many small-building owners have in understanding and trusting predicted retrofit outcomes.
Smart Buildings | Jan 7, 2015
Best practices for urban infill development: Embrace the region's character, master the pedestrian experience
If an urban building isn’t grounded in the local region’s character, it will end up feeling generic and out-of-place. To do urban infill the right way, it’s essential to slow down and pay proper attention to the context of an urban environment, writes GS&P's Joe Bucher.
BIM and Information Technology | Dec 28, 2014
The Big Data revolution: How data-driven design is transforming project planning
There are literally hundreds of applications for deep analytics in planning and design projects, not to mention the many benefits for construction teams, building owners, and facility managers. We profile some early successful applications.
Smart Buildings | Dec 3, 2014
Arup research explores urban infrastructure design in 2050
The report projects a future where highways will be made from self-healing, glow-in-the-dark materials and will be governed by sophisticated technologies that communicate with cars, road infrastructure, and GPS systems.
Smart Buildings | Oct 30, 2014
Energy Department pledges $9 million for energy efficiency improvements on commercial buildings
The U.S. Dept. of Energy will spend $9 million to encourage investments in energy-saving technologies that can be tested and deployed in offices, shops, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and other types of commercial buildings.
Smart Buildings | Oct 29, 2014
SCAPE’s 'living breakwaters' resiliency development wins 2014 Buckminster Fuller Challenge
New York-based landscape architecture firm SCAPE won the Buckminster Fuller Institute’s 2014 Fuller Challenge, billed as socially responsible design’s highest award.
Smart Buildings | Jun 8, 2014
Big Data: How one city took control of its facility assets with data
Over the past few years, Buffalo has developed a cutting-edge facility management program to ensure it's utilizing its facilities and operations as efficiently, effectively, and sustainably as possible.
Smart Buildings | May 19, 2014
New York should forget about surge barriers for most cost-effective resiliency plan, say researchers
Massive storm surge barriers would be too costly for the potential benefit to protect New York City from violent storms like Hurricane Sandy, researchers say.
