Oslo’s dazzling new opera house will be covered with one of the world’s largest environmentally friendly glass shells.
25/06/2007 :: Norway is a leading nation in the production of monocrystalline silicon wafer, a technology better known as solar cell panels, which converts sunlight energy into electricity.
300 m²
The exterior of the south side of Norway’s new national opera house consists of a 450 m² glass wall with an integrated solar cell panel that counts for 300 m². The cover will generate 20 618 kWh per year, which is equivalent to a year’s energy consumption of an average family in Norway.
Norway’s new opera house is part of EU’s ECO-culture project, which is aiming at a more environmentally friendly management through energy savings in lighting, heating and ventilation systems.
“Our goal is to display a modern technology that is developed in Norway. We are the leading nation on research and development in this area through corporations like REC and NorSun”, says Ida H. Bryn, at Erichsen & Horgen A/S, one of Norway’s main energy consultancies.
Opening in 2008
The solar cell panel will be activated this fall, half a year before the opening of Oslo’s new jewel, which will take place in April 2008.
The spectacular construction is drawn by Snøhetta, the internationally acclaimed Norwegian architectural company, which also stands behind the Library of Alexandria.
Opera under construction, October 2006 (Statsbygg).
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs