Migros Cooperative Headquarters



With its 38 kWp and an expected yearly energy production of 19’000 kWh/a this building integrated PV power plant (BIPV) is a trendsetting example in an sensitive urban environment.

The new entrance hall of the Migros headquarters in Zurich was built as a stand-alone glass cube that is connected to the existing high rise by a footbridge on the first floor. For the second glass cube, which is turned 90° toward the east and forms the access to the parking deck, the architecture was created without compromise. Both cubes show translucent solar facades installed as curtain walls in those areas with concrete facades behind (40%).

The curtain walls are built up by customized solar modules (glass-glass modules). For design -related reasons the solar modules were fitted with blue poly-crystalline solar cells. The façade is translucent, so that between the cells the concrete façade behind is visible. 20 different types of solar modules where used to make an optimal  outer appearance.

The expected average solar power output amounts to about 500 kWh/kWp/a

Building owner
Cooperative Migros Zurich (GMZ)

Architect
Oppliger Architekten Zurich

Profile
- Type of solar power plant: BIPV (building integrated photovoltaic)
- Installed peak power: Main entrance 23 kWp; Access park deck: 15 kWp
- Expected energy yield: Main entrance 12’000 kWh/a, Access park deck; 7’000 kWh/a
- Solar technology: glass-glass modules with integrated poly-crystalline solar cells
- Location of solar modules: Main entrances: East, south, west façade; Access park deck: north, east, south façade.
- Module inclination: 90°
- Energy pay-back: 4 years
- Used area: about 40% of the façade; concrete façade

Project sheets
·    Main entrance Migros headquarters (german)
·    Access park deck Migros headquarters (german)

Press release: FE & A 2010 (640KB) (german)



You will find more examples of façade integrated solar power plants by energieburo here:





Further information for download:

·   9 arguments for solar facades
·    Cost comparison façade architecture
·    Chart façade exposition