Rotterdam Central Station

Following the supply of no less than 30,000 m² glass, Scheuten also provided in excess of 3,000 solar panels for the roof covering of Central Station Rotterdam. The glass-glass solar panels will be fully integrated into the station's glass roof spanning a surface area of over 9,000 m². Scheuten Solar specializes in this sustainable energy technology, also called Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). In 2007 the original station was closed and the demolition work commenced. The revamped station will be complete at the start of 2013. The capacity of this solar power plant will then be at least half a MegaWatt (MW) of green energy.

The glass roof covering forms part of the renovation and modernization of Rotterdam’s central trainstation and its surrounding area. Due in part to the arrival of Randstad Rail and HSL-Zuid, the number of passengers will be soaring. Extending the station is crucial to cope with this exponential growth in passenger numbers, in the future too, says client ProRail.

Light ingression, solar heat and a modern, contemporary design constitute important elements in the design by architect Jan Benthem. To this end Scheuten has already supplied 30,000 m² of laminated glass in three different finishes. The BIPV solar panels were made from the same extra-clear glass with an exceedingly high degree of transparency, thereby ensuring optimum energy yield. This special glass comes from the modern float glass factory belonging to Scheuten and Interpane in Osterweddingen (Germany). As an EPC contractor (Engineering, Procurement & Construction), Scheuten Solar had already been involved in the project from an early stage. Following an analysis of the shade situation, it advised its clients ProRail and Licotec on optimum positioning of the solar cells in the panels. The next step will be the production of the bespoke glass-glass solar panels. The green energy that will be generated using the solar panels is equivalent to the electricity consumption of more than 100 households.