Architecture Award Building-Integrated Solar Technology

Part 3 / 4 – Plus Energy Quarter in Stuttgart, Germany | March 26, 2025

The Architecture Award Building-Integrated Solar Technology was launched by the Bavarian Association for the Promotion of Solar Energy in 2000, and has since been awarded ten times. The international award, which brings together architecture and solar energy, is open to projects from all over the world and honors outstanding planning and design of building-integrated solar installations.

During the most recent competition, the panel of judges selected some particularly interesting projects, which are described below: The construction assignments are very varied, with different conditions, but all of the projects showed that the integration of solar technology is possible to a high standard while meeting design and technical ambitions.

2024 winner: Plus Energy Quarter in Stuttgart

The canopies over almost all of the balconies on the residential buildings are covered with photovoltaic (PV) installations, with a total output of 62 kilowatts (kW). In addition, four south-facing façades have been realized as PV façades with 116 kW output. Here, the PV installation has not been placed in front of the actual façade, but replaces the usual wooden façade. On all six flat roofs within the quarter, combined solar thermal and PV installations with a combined output of 264 kW have been integrated into the green roofs.

This is Germany’s largest residential quarter using sustainable modular timber construction. Six active houses comprise 330 affordable rental apartments for hospital employees, taking into consideration social aspects.

Over the course of the year, these active houses in the Plus Energy Quarter generate more energy from renewable sources than is consumed by its residents. They meet the KfW-40-Plus standard. The energy system is based on heat pumps, photovoltaic and solar hybrid collectors.

The project was awarded the Architecture Award Building-Integrated Solar Technology 2024.