Achieving Net-Zero Energy in Modern Architecture

In recent years, Sweden has set a remarkable example in sustainable architecture, with innovative projects achieving net-zero energy goals through the integration of advanced Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) solutions. A key example is the House of Choice Hotel in Solna, Stockholm, which was awarded for its ground breaking design that blends aesthetics with energy efficiency.

The journey to net-zero energy at the House of Choice Hotel began with the integration of BIPV glass modules that generate power while enhancing the building's façade. The hotel’s design incorporated insulated glass units (IGUs), satin finish, and decorative options like coloured glass, seamlessly combining solar energy generation with the building’s aesthetic appeal. Careful thought was put into the size and placement of windows, with solar panels strategically installed on the sun-facing side of the façade and across the entire roof, maximising the building's energy generation potential.

Beyond its impressive solar array, the hotel also utilises a state-of-the-art Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) system, a geothermal heat pump solution designed to efficiently regulate heating and cooling. This system stores excess energy from the building, allowing it to maintain comfortable temperatures without consuming additional electricity. Additionally, the hotel’s lifts automatically recharge on descent, further reducing energy consumption. This combination of technologies enabled the hotel to achieve net-zero energy status, producing as much energy as it consumes.

ML System’s involvement in this ambitious project highlights their ability to deliver complex BIPV solutions. The hotel’s façade and skylights were equipped with nearly 60 different glass formats and five different glazing types. The largest pieces of glass used were as large as 2.7×1 meters, showcasing ML System's capability to meet the demanding requirements of architectural projects that seek to combine function with beauty.

In addition to the House of Choice Hotel, Friskväderstorget Goteborg in Gothenburg also featured ML System’s BIPV modules, securing an award for its architectural innovation. This project, also known as Mosaic Goteborg, used ceramic-printed BIPV glass to create a unique collage of colours and shapes, producing a distinctive pattern across the building’s façade. Each glass-glass module contributed to the building's energy generation while creating an eye-catching design element. The use of appropriate colours, guided by architectural supervision, ensured the visual harmony of the design.

These examples are not isolated. Across Europe, BIPV technology is gaining traction as a powerful tool in achieving net-zero energy buildings. The Aeres Hogeschool Almere project in the Netherlands, for instance, was awarded the BIPV Project of the Year for 2021. ML System contributed 712 glass-glass BIPV modules, which were used on the building’s roof and façade, generating a total of 156 kWp. By using two different densities of solar cells, with 50% and 25% transparency, the design balanced optimal energy yield with visual appeal, ensuring the installation did not compromise the aesthetic vision of the building.

As these projects demonstrate, the integration of BIPV technology is key to creating sustainable, net-zero energy buildings. Through strategic collaborations between architects and BIPV specialists like ML System, modern architecture can significantly reduce reliance on non-renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency, and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change. With advancements in solar glass, geothermal energy systems, and innovative designs, net-zero buildings are not only achievable but also increasingly prevalent across the globe.

The success of these projects in Sweden and other European countries underscores the growing importance of sustainable architecture in the fight against climate change and sets a powerful precedent for the future of construction, showing that it is possible to combine design excellence with environmental responsibility. As the global demand for energy-efficient buildings rises, BIPV technology will undoubtedly play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of architecture.