Role of shading in sustainability is growing

Introduction of innovative solar motor with 4G module

In 2018, Degalux International BV - the parent company of PZN (Project Zonwering Nederland) - was the first manufacturer to market solar-powered blinds. Since then, this sun protection manufacturer has been supplying more than ten thousand solar motors annually. The very latest invention is a solar motor with a 4G module on Vodafone's network. "The advantage of this is that the signal can no longer be disturbed by the building envelope," says commercial manager Hugo Top of PZN.

In the business market of contractors, real estate companies and housing associations, Project Zonwering Nederland's solar zipper screens have been a widely used product for many years. "This is because the major advantage of a solar drive is that it functions independently of a building's power supply. This means that the installation of electricity to the blinds is not necessary, which also makes it a very interesting product for the renovation market," Top clarifies. "Incidentally, we supply the solar drive not only on our zipper screens, but also on our roll-down shutters, drop-screens and articulated screens. This makes us unique in the market."

Integrated 4G module

Project Zonwering Nederland's very latest development is a solar motor with an integrated 4G module. "With this, the signal no longer goes through a WiFi or radio connection, but through the transmitter mast that is directly connected to the cloud," Top explains. "This has the advantage that the signal can no longer be disrupted by the building envelope. Because especially in today's new buildings, where triple glazing is often used for insulation purposes, the signal from the handheld transmitter to the solar motor is often disturbed. We applied this brand new solar system for the first time at De Grendel in Nieuwkoop, a new construction project with modular houses. Because no sunshades were initially installed here, the residents suffered from heat stress. Here, our zipper screens were the optimal solution for heat protection, because they provide natural insulation that can easily keep 3 to as much as 7 degrees Celsius of heat out of the house."

TO-July limit

According to the commercial manager, solar shading is taking on an increasing role in making buildings sustainable and energy efficient. Integrating strategically placed shading systems can reduce excessive heat during the summer months, reducing the need for active cooling with air conditioners, for example. In laws and regulations, both for new construction and renovation, in addition to the BENG requirements, the so-called TO-July limit, an abbreviation for "Temperature Exceeded July," is increasingly coming into the picture, Top says.  

"The TO-July limit, which must be 1.20 or lower, was introduced to prevent overheating of homes in the hot summer months, and is essential for obtaining an environmental permit for the construction of houses and apartments. Well, shading is a very effective measure for lowering the TO-July limit." 

CO2 Performance Ladder

In addition, Project Zonwering Nederland, which supplies exclusively to the business market, also pursues a high degree of sustainability in its production process. "Our sun blinds come directly from our own factory in the Netherlands. This keeps the number of transport movements and thus the CO2 footprint as low as possible. Not for nothing do we hold the CO2 Performance Ladder level 3, an instrument that gives companies insight into their energy consumption and CO2 emission; when tendering, customers are increasingly asking for this as well. Our focus on quality is further underlined by our VCA certificate for safe working and our VMRG seal of approval."