Franzen expands range with integrated solar façades incorporating Odersun solar modules

BERLIN & KOTTENHEIM, GERMANY: Odersun AG, manufacturer of customer specific solar modules and the FranzenGroup, planner and constructor of façade and solar systems, have announced that they will be cooperating in the sector of integrated building photovoltaics. Together, they are to further promote the integration of solar components in curtain wall type, rear-ventilated façades. Franzen Ingenieur- und Montagebau GmbH offers comprehensive consulting services for the planning of solar-integrated façades as early as in the planning and design phase.

Architects, specialist planners and builders are accompanied from design through to implementation of modern, energy-efficient photovoltaic façades. Odersun manufactures made to order CIS modules used in existing façade systems as well as according to individual specifications.

The FranzenGroup works in the field of open system curtain wall façades and has the necessary cross-discipline know-how to meet the challenge of integrating photovoltaics in building façades. With over 40 years in the façade business and long-term involvement in the solar sector, Franzen combines, under one roof, all the necessary skills for both aesthetic and functional installation and layout of fully integrated façade systems. Unnecessary interfaces with other trades are no longer applicable.

"Franzen combines, when it comes to the handling of our new types of solar components, a decisive, and until now rare, combination of skills, namely experience in façade construction and in the design of solar systems," explains Dr Hein van der Zeeuw, CEO of Odersun AG. "The constructional and artistic integration of solar in buildings can only be successful when the necessary systems and the decisive experience and competence in planning and installation are combined with suitable materials."

The co-operation between Odersun and Franzen forms another important link in the chain between manufacturer, system supplier and planning and installation.

“As a classical installation company, we were one of the first businesses to turn to the integrated use of solar energy in buildings. It was clear to us that there was a dynamic movement toward the incorporation of new technologies for sustainable energy supply within the building, a movement for which we wanted to be prepared," says Dipl.-Ing. Jürgen Krämer, a managing director at FranzenGroup. "We have more than 40 years experience in installation and have been active in the solar sector since 2005. With the new components from Odersun, we can now combine both skills and offer solar façades, which also meet the requirements of aesthetic integration."