DECATHLON EUROPE 2022 · VALENCIA, SPAIN
Onyx Solar provided 9 monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic glass panels for the Escalà project, developed by the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) for the Solar Decathlon Europe 2021/2022. Each module, measuring 1,650 x 850 mm with a 4T+4T mm glass configuration, was installed as a photovoltaic canopy. This canopy not only demonstrates the energy-generating potential of solar solutions but also integrates seamlessly into the Escalà design, a sustainable, modular housing prototype inspired by Valencia’s Cabanyal neighborhood. The project emphasizes energy efficiency, self-consumption, recycling, and the use of sustainable materials, making it a replicable model for urban environments.
The characteristics of the photovoltaic glass used in this project make it the perfect choice for the Valencian climate, which receives abundant sunlight throughout the year. The photovoltaic canopy efficiently converts solar energy into electricity, while the glass panels also provides shading for the building, helping to reduce indoor temperatures. The integration of Onyx Solar’s glass panels aligns with the project’s focus on sustainability, contributing not only to energy generation but also to thermal regulation. The adaptability of the photovoltaic glass in this modular housing prototype shows how renewable energy can be harmoniously integrated into architectural design, further supporting the Decathlon’s emphasis on innovation and ecological construction practices.
As the only Spanish entry in the Solar Decathlon Europe 2021, Escalà achieved remarkable success, earning first place in Innovation and third in both Architecture and Engineering & Construction during the competition held in Wuppertal, Germany. The project is a testament to the UPV students’ dedication to sustainability and showcases the impact of renewable energy in the built environment, with Onyx Solar’s glass playing a key role in achieving these goals.
