Digital Equipment Corporation, Switzerland
Shadovoltaic Louvre
Colt first introduced the Shadovoltaic Wing concept at the 11th European Photovoltaic Conference in Montreux. Within twelve months Colt had turned this exciting concept into an installed system. Contact was made with Geneva-based architects Lecouturier-Caduff who had been handling the renovation of an office building belonging to the Digital Equipment Corporation in Geneva. The open inner court, with a plan area of 300mē, was to be covered with a self-supporting steel and glass pyramid.
The decision was taken to use external shading on the pyramid. Links were quickly established with the client and architect, who had already demonstrated innovation in this field with the construction of a 9.5 kW photovoltaic system on the barrel roof of the adjacent DEC building. Thus Colt Shadovoltaic was specified. The photovoltaic louvres, which follow the position of the sun in a single plane, automatically provide a shading function. In order to reduce cost, the northern pyramid louvres use enamelled glass whilst the east, south and west sides are covered with active photovoltaic cells.
The construction is simple and robust. The photovoltaic louvres are assembled on frames which lie on a joint torsion tube turned by an electric actuator so that they are aligned at right angles to the sun's rays. The four sides of the pyramid are separately controlled according to their orientation by a solar data program. When required the louvres open fully to allow the maximum amount of light in.
The DEC employees are enjoying the new atmosphere, frequently using the atrium and its adjoining cafeteria as a communication and meeting point.
