For the latest renovation on the Koekuit Castle estate in Belgium, the owner was looking for a way to elegantly generate electricity on a historic roof. Using Wevolt X-Roof solar solution he found an aesthetically pleasing option that was equal to the challenge.
Owning a listed architectural monument is an ongoing renovation effort – no one knows that better than the owner of the Koekuit Castle estate in Belgium. The multiple buildings on the castle estate in Moorslede need renovating every few years. Surrounded by an English-style park with specimen trees and water features, the estate covers about 40,000 m2, including the castle, a caretaker’s house, the coach house and stables.
Built in 1896 by the De Meulenaere family, the castle was badly damaged in World War I and rebuilt in French Classical style in 1929. Outbuildings like the recently renovated coach house, however, have been preserved since its origins up until today. Without a doubt, combining innovation with corresponding aesthetics in material decisions is a major concern.
For the renovation, the private owner worked with roofer Tom Stockman, who had already renewed the roof of the main residential house ten years earlier. Facing south, the coach house roof was ideal for generating solar energy, yet it came with an aesthetic challenge: upon arriving at the castle, it is the most visually prominent roof. The owner wanted to generate solar energy without it being noticeable, therefore they chose Wevolt X-Roof combined with natural slate, blending cutting-edge energy technology with a refined, natural look. The Wevolt X-Roof is a complete in-roof solar solution that blends seamlessly with the dark natural material that has covered the roof for centuries.
“The search was initiated together with the client, and this product quickly came into view”, recalls Stockman. Including the tower, 430 m2 needed to be roofed, with 82 m2 dedicated to an energy generating roof. Consisting of 133 Wevolt X-Roof modules of 111 Wp each, the solar installation provides around 15 kWp – enough for the family’s annual needs.
For installation, Stockman teamed up with Depauw Electro. It was his first Wevolt energy roof project and his first cooperation with an electrician: “For me as a roofer, such cooperation was completely new, but I was extremely satisfied.” And wienerberger offered strong support: “I rarely experience this much on-site support from a manufacturer.” Installed in summer 2024, the family now has a year’s experience with the discreet energy roof and is more than happy – not only with the output but also the appearance.
“Nowadays, it’s unthinkable to cover high-end roofing with standard on-roof PV panels. They compromise the aesthetics of the roof too much, especially when it concerns expensive materials like flat tiles or natural slate”, the roofer explained. Would he choose Wevolt X-Roof solution again? “Definitely. If I get the chance to propose it again, I certainly will.” Renovating historic buildings and equipping them with state-of-the-art technology is a sensitive and demanding task. Thanks to the advanced in-roof PV solution, this challenge was mastered – and the owners are delighted with the result.
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