Towards the sun: around 80 solar film modules are now generating renewable energy on the 27-meter-high chimney of the combined heat and power plant (CHP) at Cologne-Bonn Airport. The total collector area of the new photovoltaic system is around 70 m², and the individual modules have been installed facing south on the curved surface of the CHP chimney. The special solar film can be used on roofs, facades, and surfaces that do not allow conventional PV solutions due to their statics and properties.

The pilot plant generates up to 4400 kWh per year, which roughly covers the energy requirements of a household. The films developed by Heliatek adhere thanks to an integrated adhesive backing that does not require any special substructure. The CO₂ footprint of a “HeliaSol” solar film is less than 10 g CO₂ per kilowatt hour of solar power generated.

The airport will be investing many millions of euros in its energy infrastructure over the coming years in order to reduce consumption and become less dependent on fossil fuels. In addition to the continuous expansion of its photovoltaic systems, the airport is also focusing on emission-free heating and cooling using ice storage technology in combination with PV systems and heat pumps. Furthermore, the airport has invested in a substation and is building a new wood-fired power plant. In addition, the airport's own combined heat and power plant was modernized in 2022.