GeneCIS modules from Würth Solar are an architectural highlight in China
Spectacular integration of GeneCIS modules in Beijing's southern railway station.
Würth Solar's project in Beijing is extremely interesting from both architectural and energy-technical aspects. In the newly built southern railway station, what is currently the world's largest integration of GeneCIS modules now generates electricity from sunlight.
The grid-connected system comprises 5,200 GeneCIS solar modules from Würth Solar with a total output of about 390 kilowatts peak (kWp). This project is a showpiece and an outstanding example of how to integrate solar modules into the building. It is a successful combination of architecture and solar technology, as the modules enhance the building not only from an ecological aspect but also from an aesthetic aspect.
Beijing southern railway station
The modules are arranged to the left and right of the approximately 300 m long cantilevered roof. The individual photovoltaic fields comprise 1 to 3 GeneCIS modules, each with an output of 75 watts. Besides generating electricity, the GeneCIS modules in the roof have another function: they provide shade for the inside of the station and thus reduce air conditioning costs.
In this project Würth Solar partnered Ruihua Construction Corporation (RHC), which was responsible for the planning.
Its subsidiary Resun Solar installed power units made from Würth Solar GeneCIS modules and supervised the project in China. Ruihua Construction, based in Shenzhen/Southern China, is one of the country's leading façade construction companies and has carried out prestigious reference projects throughout the world, including two large buildings in the Olympic village.
Roof installation of the GeneCIS modules
"GeneCIS modules are very popular with architects, thanks to the many benefits they provide, above all in terms of energy output and aesthetics," said Landrew Zhou von Ruiha Construction, who was in charge of the project.
"Würth Solar is the world's biggest and most experienced producer of CIS modules. This is why we chose the company to supply the modules for the photovoltaic project in Beijing's southern railway station."
The station entrance
The station covers an area of 50,400 square metres and was designed by Chinese star architect, Wang Mu.
With a total area of 220,000 square metres on two floors above ground and three floors underground, it is around three times as big as the central railway station (Lehrter Bahnhof) in Berlin, Germany.
Beijing's southern station already connects the city to Shanghai. Every hour, trains set off for the newly built station in Shanghai, stopping only at a few stations between the two cities. The station, which is 40 meters above ground at its highest point, has two floors above ground and three below.
