Heliatek announces that RWE has inaugurated a modern biogas plant in Bergheim-Paffendorf. Besides the production of bio-methane, the large façade of the fermenters is being used for a pilot installation of the organic solar film by Heliatek. The inauguration was conducted in the presence of Mr. Johannes Remmel, Minister for Environment in North Rhine-Westphalia.
In addition to the production of bio-methane for heat supply, the solar film of Heliatek is generating further energy. About 95m2 square meters of HeliaFilm have been installed directly on profiled steel panels of the fermenter façade. This is a world first for such a technology approach.
HeliaFilm on outside of fermenter
RWE biogas plant with organic solar films by Heliatek
Installation of HeliaFilm on the profiled steel façade panels of the fermenter Altogether 180 HeliaFilm solar films with a total installed power of 5.40 kWp were mounted directly onto the profiled steel façade panels. The light weight of HeliaFilm is a key advantage since it makes installation on existing façades possible. The influence of statics of a building, especially in comparison to silicon solar modules, is negligible.
In a vertical mounting, further special characteristics become effective. The Heliatek solar film has a superior low light performance, which is a clear advantage in a non-optimal orientation of a vertical façade. HeliaFilm also offers a very stable, high temperature behavior, allowing direct application to the façade structure without requiring extra ventilation, and thus opening a wide range of new industrial applications.
Hans Buenting, board member renewable energies of RWE International SE, said, "Our credo is 'energy from the region for the region.' Today we have to celebrate two occasions: We give the official start for operations of our highly modern biogas plant; furthermore, we push innovation and test an organic solar film in the heart of a brown coal district."Thibaud Le Séguillon, CEO Heliatek, said, "RWE has chosen our organic solar film product, HeliaFilm, due to its unique product characteristics. Being ultra-thin, flexible and having a truly green lifecycle are the main reasons to use HeliaFilm in this innovative application. We are proud to implement the world's first project of this kind with our partner and thus set new standards for Building Integrated Organic Photovoltaic (BIOPV) on industrial installation."