Spanish building-integrated PV (BIPV) manufacturer Onyx Solar is delivering a bespoke building-integrated PV system with nearly 1,800 solar glass ‘louvers’ designed to power Australian tech giant Atlassian’s new 39-storey headquarters in central Sydney with 100% renewable energy
Onyx Solar has collaborated with Australian building products supplier Metz to deliver a bespoke 247 kWp BPIV solution for the Atlassian Central tower currently under construction next to Sydney Central Station.
The 182-meter-tall Atlassian tower combines a hybrid solid wood structure surrounded by a steel exoskeleton that supports a PV-glazed facade with 1,794 crystalline silicon solar panels.
“Thanks to Onyx’s PV facade, the tower turns its skin into an energy source,” Onyx said, adding that the solar panels are part of a self-protection system that reduces direct heat gain, improves energy efficiency and significantly reduces the building’s carbon footprint. “Our PV glass, apart from its ability to be fully customized to the architectural design, can be customized to block heat entering the building and provide the best insulation, reducing the use of air conditioning and heating,” the company said.
The company said the design lets in natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting and lowering energy consumption. It added that the combination of these passive benefits with on-site energy generation in a single building material makes PV glass unique, allowing buildings to produce electricity without sacrificing comfort or aesthetics.
It added that the BIPV system designed for the Atlassian project includes solar panels measuring 2,468 nn x 351 mm and 2,323 mm x 341 mm. The glass configuration has a thickness of 4T+4T mm. Each piece of PV glass contains 28 monocrystalline cells. Each unit has a peak power of 138 Wp, with the system having a total rated power of 247 kWp.
Onyx said its solar glass allows buildings to generate the energy they need, turning them into “vertical generators.”
“Our technology does not compromise the design: the PV glass can be colored and semi-transparent, it filters solar radiation and provides thermal and acoustic insulation,” the company said, adding that it can be installed in building facades, skylights and walkable floors. “We also offer customized solutions for existing buildings, including PV glass installations for roofs.”
The 39-story Atlassian Central tower is expected to open in 2027. Atlassian has committed to a 100% renewable energy operation upon completion.
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