Clean Energy for Baťa’s Iconic Electra: Hangar Now Solar Powered

Photovoltaic systems are increasingly being used even on architecturally significant buildings. A prime example is the recently completed project by the Czech company Greenbuddies on the roof of the Aviation Museum in Točná near Prague. The hangar, which houses the legendary Lockheed Electra aircraft once owned by Jan Antonín Baťa, has been fitted with lightweight solar panels with a total capacity of 182 kWp. These contribute not only to reducing the museum's carbon footprint but also to enhancing its energy self-sufficiency.

Greenbuddies is delivering a full turnkey solution, including project documentation, securing subsidies, component supply, and installation. The completion and commissioning of the solar plant are scheduled by the end of 2025. 

Solar panels that respect the building's character

The museum hangar's roof was unsuitable for the installation of conventional photovoltaic panels due to its limited load capacity and the need to preserve the original appearance of the building. Therefore, special lightweight modules were selected, which are up to 50% lighter and 70% thinner than standard glass panels. This solution is ideal for these types of buildings and older structures where it is crucial to minimise structural impact and the risk of damage. From the outside, the installation is virtually invisible and does not detract from the building’s aesthetic value.

Enhanced safety and meticulous technical execution

Given the hangar's steel-frame and wooden-cladding construction, special attention had to be paid to fire safety. All electrical components were installed with a strong focus on preventing fire risks. Switchboards and inverters are placed at ground level near the facade, and special non-flammable pads were installed between the technological components and the wooden structures.

Energy self-sufficiency and reduction of CO₂ emissions

Annual electricity production will reach up to 165 MWh. The generated energy will cover the museum’s operational consumption, with any surplus fed into the grid. The project will reduce CO₂ emissions by a significant 78 tonnes annually. Pursuing energy self-sufficiency is the right direction not only for Točná but for the entire sector in which they operate. Aviation has historically been associated with a high carbon footprint, making it all the more important to seek ways to mitigate this negative impact.

Solar energy and historic landmarks across Europe

The trend of installing PV systems on heritage-protected buildings is growing both in the Czech Republic and abroad. For example, solar panels have been installed on the New Stage of the National Theatre in central Prague. In the Vatican, 2,400 panels have been installed on the roof of the main audience hall; in the archaeological site of Pompeii, panels are disguised as terracotta tiles; and photovoltaic systems have been elegantly integrated into the Eiffel Tower.

Blending historical value with modern technology offers a clear path towards a sustainable future in which photovoltaic systems have found a firm place even within the realm of cultural heritage.