Buildings are Europe's heaviest energy consumers

Buildings in the EU consume more energy than transport or industry. Wall insulation is the traditional way of reducing energy consumption, but because architects are now using more glass on building facades, other insulating methods such as solar shading have to be considered.

Because buildings consume over 40% of Europe's primary energy through their construction and operation, the European Commission has issued the EPBD (European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive). This is designed to encourage Member States to cut buildings' energy consumption by over 20%. The rapid growth in the popularity of air conditioning systems only adds to the problem. A scientific study conducted by ES-SO shows that solar shading can make a significant contribution to meeting the Commission's targets. This is true in both northern and southern European climates, and in all seasons. Solar shading, when mobile and automatically controlled, can adapt as climatic conditions change, thus providing an optimum and dynamic solution.

Read more on ES-SO study “EPBD Buildings Platform” >>