Hybrid SolarWall PV/T System in Olympic Village

The Beijing Olympic Village is now home to cutting-edge solar technology, one of the world's first SolarWall photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) hybrid systems.

Mounted on the roof of one of the central buildings, which will be a service centre for athletes during the Olympics, the SolarWall® PV/T technology is unique in that it is one of the first commercially viable hybrid solar systems. The technology produces both electricity and heat energy from the same surface area, generating 200-300 per cent more energy than a conventional PV system. It combines SolarWall® air heating technology with photovoltaics to create a total energy solution in which the payback period is reduced and the CO2 displacement is maximized.

As an added benefit the SolarWall® panels act as a racking system to the PV; removing the heat from the back of the modules and channeling it into the facility’s traditional heating system.

The building is also home to a conventional SolarWall® air heating system, which was integrated into the architecturally unique front façade.

The project was done through the Canadian SolarWall office, with Conserval Engineering working in partnership with Natural Resources Canada and the Olympic Village developer to incorporate these innovative solar technologies into the site.