The Belgian active glass company has a series of projects in Norway. Created in 2006, the Verviers-based company, ISSOL, has become a highly sought-after specialist in this unusual market.
But, above all, it is a Norwegian project that is attracting interest: ISSOL has just produced the facades for the head office of the Eiendomsutvikling group in green printed glass that produces electricity. ISSOL is currently working on its third project in Norway and does not intend to stop there. The company's aim is to make photovoltaics acceptable in terms of aesthetic and normative criteria.
Van Langenaker, ISSOL's spokesperson: "It is a little by chance. It's true that we are working on our third project in Norway. Norway is not the first country that comes to mind when you think about photovoltaics, but, indeed, we do implement photovoltaic facades there. We were lucky to win the most beautiful European project. Today, we are lucky to be contacted direct for the implementation of active facades".
But that does not prevent the company from continuing to look for new projects. It wants to develop projects that are not architectural masterpieces but rather corporate buildings, public buildings, etc. Therefore, ISSOL is looking for Belgian customers, although it has already signed many contracts with leading architects around the world.
It may be surprising, but this international reputation poses a problem for ISSOL and its 45 employees. "Our expertise scares major Belgian real estate developers,” explains Olivier Van Langenacker. Nevertheless, the company has just installed the photovoltaic facade of a new building for the European Commission in the centre of Brussels.
Issol does not only implement large-scale projects. The "Pro" department takes care of all non-residential buildings, offering technical solutions that can be replicated everywhere, whereas the "Plus" section manages the manufacturing of panels for private individuals.
