Townhouse with energy: How a historic building in Wuppertal gained new life

“When I first saw this townhouse, I knew there was a lot of potential in it,” recalls Paul, showing a historic photo of his 19th century townhouse in Wuppertal. “The brick facade, with its characteristic mansard windows, bore traces of time, but retained its dignity. It was an impulse - I saw this building and thought about all its possibilities.”

Challenge: Preserve history or go with the times?

As an experienced investor, Paul approached the renovation methodically. The biggest challenge was to combine conservation requirements with the ambition to create an energy-efficient building. “In our state there are very strict regulations regarding the installation of photovoltaic installations on historic buildings. However, I wanted to find a solution that would reduce energy costs for all residents.”

Breakthrough: Discovery of eTile Classic

The turning point turned out to be a consultation with an energy expert. “He presented me with a solution that I had never heard of before - the eTile Classic solar roof. The key thing for me was that the system is virtually invisible from street level,” says Paul.

After receiving a sample of the material and a detailed presentation by the Electrotile consultant, even the historic conservator had to admit that the solution blends perfectly with the historic character of the building. The black eTile Classic tiles harmonize harmoniously with the original architecture, while discreetly producing energy.

Realization: Comprehensive modernization

The renovation project included not only the installation of a solar roof, but a comprehensive energy modernization of the building. Thanks to a grant from KfW, it was possible to carry out a complete renovation of the roof structure and insulation of the basement and attic.

The eTile Classic system with a capacity of 20 kWp was installed in the east-west layout, which proved to be the optimal solution for urban development. “Initially, I was worried about whether such a system would be efficient enough, but the reality surprised me positively - the installation covers about half of the energy needs of the entire building,” explains Paul.

Life after renovation

Today, living with his family on the top two floors of a townhouse, Paul can watch his vision come true. “Tenants appreciate lower electricity bills, and passers-by often stop to admire the renovated facade. Nobody guesses that under the elegant roof hides a modern solar power plant,” he says proudly.

“This shows that we don't have to choose between preserving cultural heritage and innovation. You can connect one with the other while respecting history and thinking about the future at the same time,” concludes Paul.

Technical data of the project:

• System: eTile Classic in east-west layout
• Installation power: 20 kWp
• Coverage of demand: approximately 50% of the total energy consumption of the building
• Energy storage: Breeze 20 kWh
• Additional elements: Balconies and solar fence
• Additional Modernizations: Renovation of the roof structure, insulation of the basement and attic
• Funding: KfW grant for energy modernisation

Did you know that... The KfW grant program in Germany can cover up to 30% of the cost of comprehensive energy retrofitting of a building? For historic buildings such as the Paula tenement house, it is crucial to carry out a thorough energy audit before and after the upgrade.

Tip for investors: When renovating historic buildings, it is worth starting from the beginning to establish cooperation with an energy expert. His knowledge will not only help in the selection of appropriate technical solutions, but will also significantly facilitate the process of obtaining grants.

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