This Is Now The Officially Largest Photovoltaic Skylight In The World
Bell Works, Holmdel, New Jersey, USA
As a part of the complete revitalization of the 2-million, square-foot former Bell Labs facility into an iconic mixed-use metroburb located in Holmdel, N.J., Onyx Solar supplied Bell Works with 60,000 SqFt of amorphous Silicon photovoltaic glass, to create the largest-of-its-kind photovoltaic skylight in the USA.
The PV skylight both naturally illuminates the complex while generating free, clean electricity from the sun. It simultaneously offsets approx. 60 tons of annual CO2 emissions, drastically improving the building’s energy efficiency and reducing its carbon footprint.
As an example, the annual energy generated provides enough power to drive 100 electric cars along 4,250 miles per year.
Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, Bell Works’ skylight features 24 different glass units from Onyx Solar to cover the various unique skylight schemes at the Eero Saarinen-designed architectural gem. Each is comprised of amorphous silicon thin film photovoltaic (a-Si PV) active glass, laminated between two sheets of tempered safety glass, allowing for 20% Visual Light Transmittance (VLT) to reduce solar heat gain while producing energy, all while preserving Bell Work’s historical design.
FEASIBILITY STUDY OF AMORPHOUS SILICON PHOTOVOLTAIC SKYLIGHT BELL WORKS, NEW JERSEY
<0,01€
Energy cost
19%
Reduction in HVAC energy demands
55%
Internal Rate of Return
<2 years
Payback
Facility Data:
Total area — 5.575 M²
Electricity generated per year — 89.552 kWh
Total light points operating 4 hours a day — 5.111 lighting points
Avoided CO2 emissions per year — 60.000 CO2
Barrels of oil saved per year — 53 barrels
Originally constructed between 1962 and 1982, the building is revered for its role in spurring the development of some of the world’s foremost inventions and research concepts, including the first practical solar cell. Furthermore, it was home to seven Nobel Prize award winners, among others.
Today, Somerset Development is transforming the building into a mixed-use ‘metroburb,’ complete with offices, retail, dining, healthcare, recreation, and hospitality, and it is set to become a world-class center for entrepreneurship an innovation.
”At Onyx Solar we feel that we are giving back to a building that has witnessed the discovery of so many innovations, including the solar cell. Ralph and his team are taking on a great mission with Bell Works — congratulations on the efforts,”
Diego Cuevas, Onyx’s VP Business Development.
“Bell Works is already home to an extraordinary community of innovators, and it’s our job to continue to innovate the building commensurately. People want a workplace that extends itself beyond professional needs one that stands for something beyond the cubicle walls. As Bell Works continues to attract some of the region’s most forward-thinking companies, it is only fitting that it incorporates the latest in sustainable technology, all in a way that is both functional and attractive.”,
Ralph Zucker, President of Somerset Development of Bell Works
Belnor Engineering, home of the Belnor IAQ Warden™, is the official multiple consecutive award-winning distributor of innovative architectural products around the globe. At the forefront of sustainability for over three decades, we specialize in laboratory & building automation & controls, IAQ & HVAC systems, renewable energy & architectural solutions, technical services, and green & healthy building consulting — building green cities one green building at a time. For more information, contact us. Don’t forget to read our Sustainability Manifesto: Decade Of 2020 while you’re at it. Cheers!
