(AKZA; AKZOY)
After developing a pioneering coating which can help warm up or cool down a building, AkzoNobel has now become exclusive paint supplier to the Calosol heat-retaining façade technology it helped to create.
The innovative panel system – which transforms the façades of homes and buildings into a source of energy – was created together with Dutch partners Emergo and TNO. At the heart of the technology is a special AkzoNobel coating which can harness energy from the portion of sunlight invisible to the human eye. Which means the system can capture solar energy as long as there’s daylight – even when it’s raining.
Suitable for new-builds or renovation projects – which can be disconnected from the gas network – estimates suggest using the Calosol technology can result in 20-30% less electricity being needed, compared with a traditional air-to-water heat pump. So there’s potential to make homes and buildings energy neutral, or even energy positive. The technology can also contribute to green building certifications such as BREEAM and LEED.