At Cologne/Bonn Airport, Heliatek is once again demonstrating the versatility of its innovative solar films: 80 HeliaSol modules have been installed on the 27-metre-high chimney of the combined heat and power plant. The pilot plant, with a total collector area of around 70 m², generates up to 4,400 kWh of green electricity per year—equivalent to the energy requirements of an average household.
Thanks to the integrated adhesive backing, their ultra-light and flexible modules can be applied directly to the curved surface of the chimney – without any additional substructure. This allows Heliatek to tap into areas for photovoltaics that would not be usable with conventional systems.
Low reflectivity
Another advantage of Heliatek’s solar films is their particularly low reflectivity. The matte surface means that incident sunlight is hardly reflected back at all. This results in minimal glare, which means that even in direct sunlight, there are no annoying light reflections.
This is a crucial safety aspect, especially in sensitive locations such as airports: pilots, ground personnel, and technical equipment are not affected by light reflections.
Sustainability strategy
“The expansion of solar power is a central component of our sustainability strategy,” emphasises Thilo Schmid, CEO of Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH. “Here we are testing a new, green product that complements our existing systems.”
With this system, Heliatek is working with Cologne/Bonn Airport to demonstrate how solar films accelerate the energy transition and reliably deliver sustainable energy even on challenging surfaces.