Secure support for photovoltaic façade

Energy-efficient renovation of a Sicilian residential complex

Secure support for photovoltaic façade
References
As part of the extensive energy refurbishment of the residential complex „Il Palazzetto“ in the metropolitan city of Palermo (Sicily), photovoltaic panels were used as cladding for the ventilated facade. Thanks to fischer BWM facade systems and fischer heavy-duty fastenings, the photovoltaic system is securely held in place permanently. The fastening specialist also supported its clients as a project partner from the design phase through pull-out tests and on-site installation to the successful project completion.

Property Brief

Construction Period
July 2022 - July 2023
Engineering Office
ENNETI S.r.l. (Termini Imerese/Milan)
Location
Termini Imerese
Construction Company
Opera S. r. l. (Sicily)
For thermal insulation, 6 cm thick EPS boards (expanded polystyrene) were used on the entire building envelope. The original doors and windows without thermal separation were replaced by PVC doors and windows with 6 air chambers in the profiles as well as double glazing with 90% argon filling. Each apartment was equipped with split air-water heat pumps for heating, cooling, and hot water preparation. Additionally, each residential unit was equipped with a photovoltaic system with a capacity of 4 kilowatts (kW). This consists of monocrystalline silicon material, which has the ability to absorb radiation and is used in the production of photovoltaic cells. Furthermore, each apartment was equipped with an additional 6 kW power storage system. In addition, a 10 kW photovoltaic system with a 10 kW storage unit was installed for the common areas of the building to reduce energy consumption.
A special feature of the "Palazzetto Project" was the installation of the photovoltaic system on two vertical walls of the building envelope. The photovoltaic panels were used as cladding and the principle of the "ventilated facade" was utilized. Fischer BWM vertical profiles ATK 100 Minor VPT were used for the mounting. These were inserted into fischer BWM 150 LFH and 80 LSH wall brackets with thermal stops. On the ATK vertical profiles, the facade builders mounted horizontal profiles and attached the cladding to them. Additionally, the fischer bolt anchor FAZ II Plus and fischer injection systems as well as fischer accessory elements were installed for the facade execution. The engineering work for the project was carried out by ENNETI S.r.l. (Termini Imerese/Milan). The company specializes in engineering, construction projects, and building maintenance services. It was founded in 2020 by Vincenzo Torregrossa and Pierpaolo Notaro. Both have extensive experience in integrated technical planning and facility management services, among other areas. 
The renovation is the result of careful planning decisions and requires special expertise in the energy sector. Several critical factors were considered, including thermal expansion, wind impact, and tensile strength, which led us to choose reliable and robust products such as those from fischer.
Vincenzo Torregrossa (Founder ENNETI S.r.l.)
The project is part of a larger initiative for energy-efficient construction called "CappottoMio," led by the energy expert Plenitude (Milan) and whose partners include Harley & Dikkinson Consulting (Milan) for financial management, CNA Palermo – branch of the Italian Confederation of Crafts and Small and Medium Enterprises (Rome) – for administrative management, and the C.A.E.C. Consortium – Consorzio Artigiano Edile Costruttori (Sicily) – for execution. The executing company for the construction work was Opera S. r. l. (Sicily), owned by Lorenzo Glorioso.

The engineering team from fischer Italia provided expert consultation during the design phase and adapted the solution to the project-specific requirements. The project also required onsite pull-out tests on hollow bricks under the supervision of fischer experts as well as technical support during installation. Up to successful project completion, the fischer experts supported their clients.

The fischer products used

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