18 Jul 2008 09:57
Hightex Group plc ("Hightex")
Progress on flexible photovoltaic product
Hightex is pleased to announce that its flexible photovoltaic product "PV Flexibles", which was developed by its wholly owned subsidiary SolarNext AG, has been selected to be one of 20 innovative products to be shown in the 11th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2008. The exhibition takes place between 14 September and 23 November 2008 and the PV Flexibles will be exhibited in the German Pavilion.
The PV Flexibles consist of extremely thin, highly flexible and very light photovoltaic cells. They are the first in the world capable of being integrated individually in both foil and membrane structures. This product will enable a membrane roof to incorporate photovoltaic elements, thereby allowing buildings to generate part of their own electricity requirements. Hightex sees the PV Flexible product as a significant advance in the development of the 'intelligent' building
The Venice Architecture Biennale is the biggest and most important exhibition on architecture and urban development world-wide. Current developments and trends in architecture and related disciplines are exhibited within over 20,000 sq.m. of exhibition space.
Friedrich von Borries and Matthias Böttger, Commissioners for this year's exhibition in the German Pavilion, asked "How do we want to live tomorrow? Contemporary schemes and research projects from the extended field of architecture provide a framework for a way forward in a socially and ecologically responsible and sustainable manner."
Dr Jan Cremers, SolarNext's Director of Envelope Technology, said "PV Flexibles not only provide electricity but also necessary shading if integrated in transparent or translucent roof or facade structures and therefore help to improve the energy-balance of buildings."
Dr Charles DesForges, Chairman of Hightex, said "PV Flexibles will prove to be a major innovative advance for architectural membrane structures such as sports stadia, airports, rail stations, shopping malls and various other applications. Hightex is delighted to have been selected to present this new exciting product at the Venice Biennale 2008."
Enquiries:
Charles DesForges, Chairman, Hightex Group plc +44 (0) 207 603 1515
Sindre Ottesen, Landsbanki Securities +44 (0) 207 426 9000
About Hightex
Hightex has a long history of building large span roofs and facades using architectural membranes, exemplified by the Abuja Stadium for the All African Games in 2003 as well as the Berlin Stadium, Germany, used for the most recent FIFA World Cup Final in 2006. Hightex has been awarded the contract to provide the membrane roof as part of the upgrading of the First National Bank (FNB) Stadium in Johannesburg, which will be the stadium for several first and second round matches, one quarter-final and the final match at the FIFA 2010 Football World Cup.
In 2006 Hightex completed one of the largest membrane projects in the world, designing and constructing the energy-saving, sound-optimised, triple layer membrane roof for the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand.