South Africa has unveiled what its developers say is the country’s first solar facade skyscraper.

The 80m-high Metalbox skyscraper, in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, features monocrystalline solar panels on its facade as well as rooftop solar panels on its roof, together generating up to 300 MWh annually, reports Bizcommunity.

Manie de Waal, CEO of Energy Partners, which developed the building in collaboration with property owner Fairvest, refers to Metalbox as ‘history in the making’.

Charl du Plessis, GM of Power at Energy Partners, explains that both solar systems on the building use building-integrated photovoltaics technology, which has been used on iconic buildings around the world, including Japan’s Solar Ark and Denmark’s Copenhagen International School.

‘This technology performs the incredible task of transforming conventional building parts into solar systems, enhancing functionality, aesthetics and ultimately improved return on investment. For us to be able to successfully complete such a project in South Africa is a game-changer,’ he says.

30 July 2024
Image: Fairvest