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
University Buildings | Feb 8, 2023
STEM-focused Kettering University opens Stantec-designed Learning Commons
In Flint, Mich., Kettering University opened its new $63 million Learning Commons, designed by Stantec. The new facility will support collaboration, ideation, and digital technology for the STEM-focused higher learning institution.
Sustainability | Feb 8, 2023
A wind energy system—without the blades—can be placed on commercial building rooftops
Aeromine Technologies’ bladeless system captures and amplifies a building’s airflow like airfoils on a race car.
Codes and Standards | Feb 8, 2023
GSA releases draft of federal low embodied carbon material standards
The General Services Administration recently released a document that outlines standards for low embodied carbon materials and products to be used on federal construction projects.
University Buildings | Feb 7, 2023
Kansas City University's Center for Medical Education Innovation can adapt to changes in medical curriculum
The Center for Medical Education Innovation (CMEI) at Kansas City University was designed to adapt to changes in medical curriculum and pedagogy. The project program supported the mission of training leaders in osteopathic medicine with a state-of-the-art facility that leverages active-learning and simulation-based training.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 7, 2023
Multifamily housing rents flat in January, developers remain optimistic
Multifamily rents were flat in January 2023 as a strong jobs report indicated that fears of a significant economic recession may be overblown. U.S. asking rents averaged $1,701, unchanged from the prior month, according to the latest Yardi Matrix National Multifamily Report.
Giants 400 | Feb 6, 2023
2022 Reconstruction Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. building reconstruction and renovation sector
Gensler, Stantec, IPS, Alfa Tech, STO Building Group, and Turner Construction top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest reconstruction sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Feb 6, 2023
2022 Transit Facility Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. transit facility sector
Walsh Group, Skanska USA, HDR, Perkins and Will, and AECOM top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest transit facility sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Feb 6, 2023
2022 Telecommunications Facility Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. telecommunications facility sector
AECOM, Alfa Tech, Kraus-Anderson, and Stantec head BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest telecommunications facility sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Feb 6, 2023
2022 Religious Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. religious facility construction sector
HOK, Parkhill, KPFF, Shawmut Design and Construction, and Wiss, Janney, Elstner head BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest religious facility sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Feb 6, 2023
2022 Justice Facility Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. justice facility/public safety sector
Stantec, DLR Group, Turner Construction, STO Building Group, AECOM, and Dewberry top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms for justice facility/public safety buildings work, including correctional facilities, fire stations, jails, police stations, and prisons, as reported in the 2022 Giants 400 Report.