Neuchâtel equips three historic buildings with 33,300 solar roof tiles
Freesuns is installing 33,300 solar roof tiles on three landmark buildings in the city of Neuchâtel. The renovation project is supported by the CSEM and could serve as a model for other cities and municipalities.
According to a press release, roof surfaces on three listed buildings in the city of Neuchâtel will be used for sustainable energy generation in future. The city’s Collège des Parcs and the cantonal school and university buildings Beaux-Arts and A.-L. Breguet will be equipped with a total of 33,300 solar tiles from Freesuns. The renovation project is supported by the CSEM research and development centre. For the city and canton, it represents a further step towards the energy transition.
According to the press release, the college can generate 150,000 kilowatt hours of electricity itself each year, which is equivalent to the consumption of 50 Swiss households. The installed capacity on the cantonal buildings is 130 kilowatts peak for A.-L. Breguet and 95 kilowatts peak for Beaux-Arts.
Architectural conditions required special solutions: At the Collège des Parcs, the tiles had to be installed in such a way that they followed the curved lines of the roof without damaging it.
The conversion of historic buildings to solar energy could provide an inspiring model for other cantons and municipalities. The tiles could “enable the balance between cultural preservation and sustainable development”, Deborah Learoyd, General Manager at Freesuns, is quoted as saying.
The renovation projects are “an example of how we can combine roof tiles, photovoltaics, energy transition and preservation of architectural heritage”, Matthieu Despeisse, Group Leader Solar Modules at CSEM, is quoted as saying.
The work should be completed between September and November 2024. CSEM and Freesuns are considering continuing their collaboration.