On 17 September 2009, Leif Jensen, CEO of VKR Holding, accompanied by the CEO of SONNENKRAFT in Germany, Rainer Höfer, had the pleasure of opening the second Active House in the series of eight demonstration houses whose construction is being financed by VKR Holding. The local mayor of Regensburg, Gerhard Weber, attended the opening together with Bundestag SPD candidate Karl Söllner, Niels P. Freiesleben, CEO of SolarCAP and journalists and more than 100 customers and business partners.

 
Haus der Zukunft was officially opened by CEO of SONNENKRAFT, Rainer Höfer (left), Regensburg’s mayor, Gerhard Weber, and Leif Jensen, CEO of VKR Holding.

Political commitment
Both mayor Weber and Bundestag candidate Söllner pointed to the need for greater focus on improving the energy performance of buildings. In their speeches, they highlighted the house as a good example, which was especially promising and relevant in relation to the future German energy policy – at both local and national level.

Crystal-shaped architecture
In extension of the political speeches, a general presentation was made of the architectural and energy efficiency principles underlying the design of the house, which with its combination of SONNENKRAFT solar collectors, heat pump and solar cells in the roof produces more energy than it consumes. In addition, the VELUX Group and VELFAC supplied low-energy windows, while WindowMaster supplied the overall solution for natural ventilation.
The house was designed in a close cooperation with the architect Stephan Fabi, the local Fraunhofer ISE (institute of solar energy systems) and Regensburg University, and the lines and look of the building were created with respect for local requirements and preferences. The crystal-shaped architecture demonstrates maximal use of solar energy, since both the roof and facades trap solar radiation from different optimum angles via thermal solar collectors and solar cells.

House due to be trialled for two years
Over the next six months, the house will be used for marketing by SONNENKRAFT, which has its German headquarters in Regensburg. Subsequently, the plan is to sell the house at its market price. The plan is also to take measurements of the building’s energy consumption and indoor climate in conjunction with the local Fraunhofer Institute, over a period of two years.

Read the opening speech here.