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- The Link — La Défense
±4,000 m² of solar glass — the entire skin of a landmark generates power
Two towers. One continuous solar skin. 10,000 employees.
A headquarters that produces energy from its own skin
When TotalEnergies commissioned its new La Défense headquarters, sustainability was embedded from the first line of the brief. Two asymmetrical towers — 242 and 178 metres, joined by skybridges — designed by PCA-STREAM’s Philippe Chiambaretta for Groupama Immobilier. The ambition: a comfortable, energy-efficient workplace for more than 10,000 employees, with the building envelope itself contributing to the energy balance.
ISSOL® was selected to develop the solar-active skin: a fully integrated double-height BIPV façade that generates energy, buffers thermal gain and wind, and defines the towers’ architectural character — all without compromising the transparency and daylight access that perimeter workspaces require.
4,000 m² of custom solar glass — from prototyping to phased delivery
- Over 4,000 m² of tailor-made glass-glass BIPV modules manufactured by ISSOL®; individual panels up to four metres in height
- High-efficiency monocrystalline silicon cells in custom layouts balancing opacity and transparency per façade zone
- Modules form the outer skin of a double-façade system: solar generation, sun protection and architectural cladding in one integrated layer
- Connected via decentralised micro-inverters: low-voltage safety and simplified integration across the full envelope
- ISSOL® involved from early-stage prototyping and technical validation through to phased delivery aligned with the construction programme
- ±700 kWp installed covers approximately 25% of the building’s lighting energy demand from its vertical surfaces alone
- Combined with high-performance HVAC systems: projected 50% reduction in energy use compared to TotalEnergies’ previous headquarters
Why ISSOL® Square: The Link required a glass-glass BIPV module capable of spanning up to four metres in a structurally demanding double-skin configuration while delivering consistent transparency across a façade of this scale. ISSOL® Square’s monocrystalline PERC cells in custom glass-glass laminates — with tunable opacity from approximately 10% to over 60% — allowed each zone to be calibrated for daylight access, glare control and energy yield simultaneously. No separate shading system. No separate cladding. The solar module is the façade.
Parameters for rapid evaluation
| Parameter | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Double-skin solar façade | BIPV modules form the outer skin; shading, cladding and generation in one layer |
| ISSOL® solution | ISSOL® Square | Glass-glass laminate; monocrystalline silicon cells; custom dimensions per zone |
| BIPV surface area | ±4,000 m² | Outer skin, both towers |
| Installed capacity | ±700 kWp | Vertical façade BIPV |
| Module height | Up to 4 m | Custom format for high-rise double-façade geometry |
| Electrical integration | Micro-inverters (decentralised) | Low-voltage safety; simplified integration across large envelope |
| Lighting offset | ~25% | Of building’s lighting energy demand covered by façade BIPV |
| Energy reduction | ~50% | Projected reduction vs. TotalEnergies’ previous HQ; BIPV + HVAC combined |
| Building type | High-rise office — two towers | 242 m + 178 m; skybridges connecting towers |
| Occupancy | >10,000 employees | TotalEnergies headquarters |
| Certifications | HQE Exceptionnel · BREEAM Excellent · BBC Effinergie+ · WELL Silver | |
| Scheduled completion | 2025 | Groupama Immobilier development |
“Technology like the PV façade is not an add-on — it’s an integral part of the architecture, serving both design and sustainability.”
Philippe Chiambaretta — Architect, PCA-STREAM
“The building will meet the highest environmental standards, while offering comfort, daylight and a pleasant working environment for our teams.”
Namita Shah — Executive Committee, TotalEnergies
From street level to skyline — the solar skin in context
