Unlocking the Solar Potential of Urban Buildings
Turning Unused Roofs into Energy-Producing Surfaces
Across Europe, thousands of buildings have roofs that are unsuitable for conventional solar installations.
Traditional solar panels and mounting systems add significant weight, limiting their application on existing buildings.
Fifth Façade addresses this challenge by demonstrating lightweight photovoltaic solutions that can be installed on previously unsuitable roof surfaces
The ambition is simple: MAke more buildings part of the renewable energy transition
By unlocking new roof areas, the project aims to increase renewable electricity production without requiring additional land
Demonstrating Solar Innovation at Scale
Fifth Façade moves beyond small-scale testing towards real-world implementation.
1,800 m²
Lightweight solar installations on municipal buildings.
20,000 m²
Potential additional municipal roof area suitable for solar energy.
22.7%
Potential increase in suitable municipal rooftop area.
Real-World Validation
Testing performance, installation requirements and economic viability under Nordic conditions.
The figures represent project targets and estimated potential, not completed results.
Bringing Organic Solar Technology into Real-World Application
LayersTech plays a central role in exploring the potential of organic photovoltaics within the Fifth Façade project.
Unlike conventional silicon solar panels, OPV technology enables the production of thin, lightweight and flexible solar films.
These characteristics create new opportunities for integrating solar energy into buildings where traditional technologies face limitations.
Through the project, LayersTech will contribute expertise in OPV technology, system integration and application development.
The collaboration will also provide valuable insights into the technical, regulatory and commercial requirements for deploying OPV in real-world environments.
For LayersTech, Fifth Façade represents an important step from advanced material technologies towards complete solar energy solutions.
Testing the Future of Building-Integrated Solar
The project will evaluate lightweight solar technologies under real operating conditions.
Particular attention will be given to:
- Energy performance and efficiency.
- Durability under Nordic weather conditions.
- Installation and integration requirements.
- Cost efficiency and commercial potential.
- Regulatory requirements and grid connection.
The results will provide valuable knowledge for future solar installations in Aarhus and other European cities.
The objective is not only to demonstrate new technology, but to create a pathway for wider commercial adoption.
Collaboration for a Climate-Neutral Future
Fifth Façade brings together municipal climate ambitions and innovative European solar technology.
The collaboration between the City of Aarhus and LayersTech combines practical experience in large-scale municipal solar deployment with expertise in emerging organic photovoltaic technologies.
Together, the partners aim to demonstrate how lightweight solar solutions can contribute to a more sustainable and energy-efficient urban environment.
The project also supports the broader ambition of strengthening European solar innovation and accelerating the transition towards climate-neutral cities.
Supported by EUDP
Fifth Façade is supported through the NetZeroCities LIFT Programme, which helps European cities accelerate innovative solutions for climate neutrality.
The project contributes to the development of scalable approaches for integrating renewable energy into existing urban buildings.
