Kaohsiung Stadium, the main venue of the 2009 World Games, made its spectacular debut in July 2009. Designed by Toyo Ito & Associates, one of the top architects in Japan, and Ricky Liu & Associates from Taiwan, the stadium can hold 45,000 spectators.
In addition to its eye-catching, horseshoe-shaped appearance, the building is the first stadium in the world powered by solar energy, and has been awarded the “Green Building Certification” by the Taiwan authorities.
Search for an effective panel fixing solution
In order to maximize the natural daylight, 8,844 solar panels were strategically mounted around the roof of the stadium. The solar panels generate more than one million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, which supports approximately 80 percent of the stadium’s energy needs. To achieve this success, architects and contractors needed to resolve a series of technical issues related to the built-in panels. The job required an effective panel fixing design with optimum energy transfer rate, plus excellent thermal and weathertight performance.
Four-sided structural sealant glazing saves the day
Dow Corning was consulted from the very beginning of the project, and ultimately recommended using four-sided structural sealant glazing to bond the glass solar panels to aluminum sub-frame. This approach maximizes the daylight exposure and hence the generation of clean solar energy by the solar modules. Each unit of the roof façade system has three glass panels, including two solar glass panels (containing solar cell and low-iron glass panels) and one blue tinted tempered glass pane. Dow Corning 983 Structural Glazing Sealant was used for bonding the solar panels and weatherproofing.
Key Participants
Construction Office, Public Works Bureau, Kaohsiung City Government
Toyo Ito & Associates
Ricky Liu & Associates
Fu Tsu Construction
Delta Electronics Inc.
Dow Corning - Silicone Sealant ProviderProducts
Dow Corning 983 Structural Glazing Sealant
With the proven, silicone-bonding technology, the structural silicone not only helps this horseshoe-shaped solar roof building withstand earthquakes, acid rain, typhoons, humidity and extreme heat and UV radiation, but also improves its thermal and acoustic performance by continuous and effective sealing the facade. Dow Corning provides a complete solution, including high performance sealants and professional technical support, which ensures correct sealant application and long-term performance.
Leading the way for more BIPV success
The Kaohsiung World Games Main Stadium was the first 4-sided structurally glazed BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic) roofing project that Dow Corning participated in Greater China. It is one of the largest BIPV projects in Greater China. Dow Corning silicone structural sealants allow creativity and design freedom, combined with lower life-cycle cost and improved thermal and acoustic performance of the facade. Dow Corning structural glazing sealants are now widely used in major BIPV facades in China, including the 2010 World Expo China, National Pavilion and Theme Pavilion.
Click here to view a short animated presentation about how Dow Corning solutions and support helped to create this revolutionary solar-powered stadium.
Or, to learn more about the Dow Corning products featured in this case study, as well as our many other proven materials for the construction industry, please click here. To speak to your nearest Dow Corning representative, visit dowcorning.com/ContactUs. +
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Jun 9, 2022
Cityview's Adam Perry on multifamily housing innovation in the Western U.S.
Adam Perry, SVP of Development and Construction Management with developer Cityview, chats with Multifamily Design+Construction Editor Rob Cassidy about the latest design and construction innovations for multifamily housing in the West.
Libraries | Jun 8, 2022
Welcome to the hybrid library
Libraries have grown to become the intellectual and social hubs of campus, where, prior to March 2020, students, researchers, and faculty gathered to collaborate and connect.
Building Team | Jun 8, 2022
Alastair MacGregor to lead WSP USA Property and Buildings Business
Alastair (Aly) MacGregor has been named the executive business line leader for Property and Buildings at WSP USA, one of the nation’s largest engineering and professional services consultancies.
Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2022
Florida Legislature passes bill requiring stricter condominium inspection
The Florida Legislature recently passed a bill to beef up building inspection requirements for many of the state’s condominiums.
Office Buildings | Jun 8, 2022
Former L.A. Times newsroom/printing plant remade into office campus
Phase 1 of The Press, an adaptive reuse project that is converting an old Los Angeles Times facility into a modern office campus, was recently completed in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Codes and Standards | Jun 7, 2022
FEMA launches National Initiative to Advance Building Codes
The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has launched a new government-wide effort to boost national resiliency and reduce energy costs.
Plumbing | Jun 7, 2022
Sloan launches ‘Sinks Beyond the Restroom’ innovation
Sloan, the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial plumbing systems, has launched its ‘Sinks Beyond the Restroom’ concept.
Building Team | Jun 7, 2022
Announcing construction inclusion week 2022: October 17-21, 2022
Save the date for Construction Inclusion Week 2022: October 17-21, 2022.
University Buildings | Jun 7, 2022
Newfoundland university STEM building emulates natural elements, local traditions
Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) recently opened a new building that will provide interdisciplinary learning and research space for Faculties of Science and Engineering.
Codes and Standards | Jun 2, 2022
Guide helps schools find funding for buildings from federal, state government
New Buildings Institute (NBI) recently released a guide to help schools identify funding programs for facilities improvements available from federal and state government programs.
