'Solar shading becomes the first choice when buildings overheat'

Studies show

With Veronique Kindt, responsible for marketing at Copaco Screenweavers, we talk about the future of the solar shading industry. "We predict that solar shading is going to become the first choice to prevent buildings from overheating. In fact, solar shading is going to win out over air conditioning!" 

"Partly due to climate change, our solar shading fabrics have added value," says Veronique. "Therefore, according to ES-SO, the umbrella organization of the European solar shading industry, the time is ripe to make automated solar shading compulsory within the European Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD). It goes without saying that we agree!" 

Based on the results of the so-called Guidehouse study, ES-SO is urging EU policymakers to make solar shading even mandatory as a first solution. "So before active cooling such as air conditioning," explains Veronique. "Air conditioning risks becoming one of the major contributors to global electricity demand. So the need for more sustainable, passive and energy-efficient cooling solutions is clear." 

Studies further show that smart shading can reduce energy consumption for space cooling in European buildings by 60% by 2050. "Moreover, it has a positive result on our health, comfort and desire to save energy." 

To calculate the direct impact on heat and light transmissions, the major players in the shading industry have therefore teamed up with ES-SO to create a detailed database and calculation model: ES-SDA. This tool helps the building industry provide accurate advice on the appropriate choice of an automated shading solution. It calculates the impact on the indoor climate of a new or to-be-renovated building. "We can advise the market on that," says Veronique. "But one thing is certain: buildings without shading will be unthinkable in the future!" 

In all these developments, Copaco Screenweavers relies on the credo "to govern is to foresee," as the company's production area will soon be expanded by no less than 7,000 square meters. "We are ready for increasingly hot summers. Moreover, we can meet the increasing demand for cloth for larger window areas. We are the only manufacturer to supply screens that are 3.50 meters wide. So our customers can achieve their energy goals even with large window areas."