During the design phase of the Dream City Condos, the designers were faced with the decision of how to clad the building. The conventional options of precast concrete and aluminum each presented obstacles including the weight and design limitations of precast concrete or the poor thermal performance and corrosion of dissimilar metals with aluminum cladding. The main objectives for the selection of the facade cladding were to select a material that was:
- Durable
- Consistent appearance
- Clean, contemporary aesthetic
- Short lead-times
- Cost-effective
The designers selected a Buiding-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) cladding from Mitrex that was able to satisfy the above criteria and to generate clean electricity at the same time. The BIPV cladding and railing provided three main benefits:
Aesthetics
Mitrex's module design is frameless, featuring hidden mounting and a homogenous surface. It is available in nearly any shape, size, color, and finish, with the added value of producing solar energy.
Speed and Efficiency
Mitrex BIPV cladding benefits from rapid fabrication and installation. It can be produced within one week of design finalization. It is developed using airspace technology that makes it extremely light without sacrificing structural durability. This aids in the precise setup and the making of a flat surface. BIPV cladding is also impervious to moisture penetration, it is durable, and material maintenance is simple.
Cost-Effective
BIPV cladding is comparable to traditional cladding materials but with the extra advantage of qualifying for clean-electricity pay-back which means that the cost of the material is offset over time.
Benefit Summary:
| | Cladding | Railing |
| Total area | 59,402 SQFT | 11,108 LF |
| Electricity Capacity | 488 kW | 314 kW |
| Annual Energy Production | 390,400 kWh | 251,200 kWh |
| Clean-energy credit (over 30 years) | $351,360 | $226,080 |
| Credit as a percentage of Installation cost | 13% | 18% |
