The Verstegen Spices & Sauces building in Rotterdam features one of the largest ZigZagSolar facade projects, completed in November 2024. Because the office building's roof was unsuitable for a traditional solar panel installation, the facade was utilized as the primary surface for sustainable energy generation. In doing so, the facade has been transformed into an actively energy-producing component of the building, while maintaining a professional and architecturally integrated appearance.
The solar facade consists of a total of 1,100 solar cassettes. Together, these provide a total installed capacity of 135.34 kWp. The facade is expected to generate approximately 100,000 kWh of solar energy per year, thereby making a significant contribution to the building's energy consumption.
For Verstegen, this facade solution is not only about energy generation, but also about the smart utilization of the vertical building envelope. The project demonstrates how a commercial building can use its facade as productive surface when roof space is limited or technically unsuitable. At the same time, the solar facade aligns with the rhythm and appearance of the building, making energy generation an integral part of the facade.
The project at Verstegen is a strong example of how sustainable energy generation can become part of the building itself. By combining facade integration, solar energy production, and architectural quality, this project demonstrates what solar facades can mean for commercial buildings, offices, and industrial sites in urban environments.