Solar panels can't be missing from sustainable residential tower

Volendam-based electrical engineering firm (ETB) Cas Sombroek has been involved in large housing projects for years. Floating Gardens in Sloterdijk was therefore also a logical assignment for the company. "A substantial project, which took our people at least two years to complete," says project leader Jerry Tuyp.

In 1939, the company began as a store full of light bulbs and electrical appliances. However, those days are long gone: since 1974, the company is no longer a store, but an electrical engineering partner. "The family business has actually never stopped growing. In our newest office building, we have all the space we need to work with the innovations in our field. Interesting for us, and pleasant for our customers!"

In good hands

For the Floating Gardens project, Bouwbedrijf De Nijs knocked on the door to execute the electrical installation. "That fit the bill for us exactly. All in all, there's a lot involved in a project like this, and for the main contractor it's nice that we know exactly what needs to be done. From fire alarm and evacuation systems to cable tray installation: we picked up everything."

According to Tuyp, the biggest challenge was in the PV installation. "The project focused very much on sustainability, so solar panels were absolutely essential on the residential tower. That turned out to be a lot of work for us. The roof of the residential tower was already completely full of installations, but of course that is also the perfect place for solar panels. The tower also has three roof gardens, so there was little space left for our installation. We ended up designing a structure where the panels lay on top, so there was room for everything."

To ensure sufficient power, solar panels were also installed in other areas. "We had to achieve a maximum output of 1,750,000 Wp, and that was not possible with just the panels on the roof. Therefore, we also installed facade panels on two floors. That way we still have enough power in total to meet the client's sustainable requirements."