Solar Veloroute Multifunctional Photovoltaic Structure

Press Kit

Unique Properties

This solar canopy protects cyclists from the weather and produces electrical energy from the sun. The photovoltaic modules generate electricity for the bicycle charging stations and for the lighting of the route.

Dimensions & Packaging

Just one Kilometer of this Veloroute could provide around 2000 MWh of electricity and could power 750 households or provide electricity for more than 1.000 electric cars driving 11.000 Kilometers per year.

The supporting structure consists of a repeatable round arch, the non-reflective glass-glass solar panels are attached to round tube steel purlins. A fabric membrane provides additional protection and gently distributes light.

Tags

Solar structure, Bike road, Photovoltaic, Veloroute, Sustainable Construction

Production Technology

Mutlifunctional photovoltaic system ENVELOROUTE
with PV-Panels ENVELON Materia

Design Challenge

The construction has been parametrically developed and can be adapted to any common bike road width, and can follow any curve of the route. Also, the number of rows of panels, the distance between modules, as well as their inclination can be flexibly adjusted to local condition

Project Duration

This sustainable concept has been created for districts in Switzerland and Dubai but it is just as well to apply for any climatic zone.

Operation Flow

The photovoltaic system collects during the day the electricity generated by solar energy, which can be used for on-site charging stations and lighting, and the surplus of electricity for any other purpose.

The eye-catching solar structures attract the attention of passers-by and this is to be used to educate about sustainability. The idea of using them as sources of informal education for sustainability is crucial to the project. The implemented display measures will provide passing persons with information about various aspects of the use of solar energy and thus lead to a better understanding and acceptance of solar solutions. This will be beneficial to society and to the environment.

Research

The goal of the project was to develop a highly aesthetic structure that could at the same time be built quickly and inexpensively at any location using a few repeatable steel elements and one kind of the rectangular photovoltaic module.

Inspiration

Bike roads (Veloroutes) are becoming an increasingly important element of modern transportation concepts in cities and peripheral areas today.
The idea of covering the bicycle routes with esthetic, electricity-generating photovoltaic modules and transforming them into attractive landscape structures is not only sustainable, but creates a kind of sculptural variety that becomes an architectural symbol for the change from gas-powered cars to more sustainable ways of mobility.

Image Credits

Alek Pluta
nomadd-studio.com

Patents

Envelon Materia
Envelon UG, 2020

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