Study Tour | China Construction Xingye: Case Study of the BIPV Project at Hua Fa Ice and Snow World in Qianhai, Shenzhen

Shenzhen Qianhai Ice and Snow World, currently the world’s largest indoor ski resort at the lowest elevation, stands as a flagship example of large-scale Building‑Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) in China. By seamlessly integrating BIPV into its design, the project offers a high‑quality, scalable, and replicable solution for renewable energy development on the urban “fifth façade.”

 

Shenzhen - Qianhai Ice and Snow World, this is the current largest indoor ski resort project in the world and the lowest-altitude one. It is a typical case of large-scale application of photovoltaic building integration technology on the fifth facade of buildings in China. The project integrates building photovoltaic integration technology into the design, providing a highly scalable and replicable high-quality solution for the development of renewable energy on the "fifth facade" of the city.

 

Faced with multiple challenges—including high wind pressure and severe salt‑spray exposure along the coast, as well as the dual demands of maximizing power generation and achieving aesthetic appeal—the project team selected Far East Green Energy’s proprietary LIGHT series BIPV products. Leveraging a unique connection system and advanced color‑customization technology, these solutions not only ensure structural integrity and high energy output but also enable the creation of a distinctive brand identity tailored to the client, realizing the vision of “architecture as landscape, photovoltaics as decoration” and transforming the building into a striking visual highlight on the city’s fifth façade.
Facing multiple challenges such as high wind pressure and high salt spray in coastal areas, as well as the need for high power generation and aesthetic color design, the project team selected the LIGHT series BIPV products independently developed by Far East Green Energy. Through unique connection structures and customized color technology, they ensured structural safety and high power generation while creating a brand identity exclusive to the client. This achieved the effect of "building as scenery, photovoltaic as decoration", making it a prominent landscape on the city's fifth facade.

△ Aerial rendering

 

The photovoltaic roofing system at the Ice and Snow World project covers 35,000 square meters, with a total installed capacity of 6,433 kW and an annual power generation exceeding 6 million kWh—enough to meet roughly 20% of the project’s annual electricity demand. This achievement translates into a reduction of 5,100 tons of carbon emissions per year and the equivalent of planting 272,900 trees, injecting a reliable green energy boost into this high‑energy‑consumption venue. It is comparable to cultivating a “green forest” in the heart of the city, spanning an area equal to 30 football fields.

The photovoltaic roof of the Ice and Snow World project covers an area of 35,000 square meters, with a total installed capacity of 6,433 kW and an annual power generation of over 6 million kilowatt-hours. This can meet approximately 20% of the annual electricity demand of the project. This achievement is equivalent to reducing carbon emissions by 5,100 tons and planting 272,900 trees each year, injecting stable green energy into high-energy-consuming venues. It is equivalent to cultivating a "green forest" with an area of 30 football fields in the city center.

 

 

 

Notably, the LIGHT series features an integrated stainless-steel backplate structure, with static wind-load resistance reaching 15.4 kPa. Coupled with a proprietary fixing system, it significantly enhances structural integrity, enabling the installed system to withstand typhoons up to Category 17—providing a robust safety barrier for buildings.

 

It is worth noting that the LIGHT series products are equipped with a stainless steel backplate structure. The static wind load test reaches 15.4 KPa. Coupled with the unique fixation process, the structural strength is significantly enhanced. After installation, it has a 17-level typhoon resistance capability, effectively fortifying the safety defense line of the building.

 

[Photovoltaic Power Generation System Technical Parameters] Installation area: 35,915 m² Estimated annual power generation: 6.33 million kWh, meeting 20% of electricity demand; annual carbon reduction: 5,100 tons Total installed capacity: 6,433.12 kW Product application: Light Pro rooftop system Module model: LIGHT A 2.0 (in-house developed), 1200×600 mm modular design Module power: Blue: 195 W/m²; White: 180 W/m² Surface layer: 2 mm ultra-thin tempered glass with high-temperature colored glaze Middle layer: aerospace‑grade honeycomb aluminum plus a 0.7 mm stainless steel corrugated reinforcing rib Back layer: high‑transmittance BC solar cells with an insulating backsheet Weight: 15.7 kg/m² (compared to approximately 49 kg/m² for conventional double‑glass modules) Wind and seismic resistance: withstands Typhoon Category 17 (withstood passage of Hinnamnor without damage), seismic resistance up to Magnitude 8, and wind pressure design of 9.1 kPa Glaze technology: proprietary micron‑scale colored glaze, sintered at 1200°C, ensuring no fading for 25 years; light blue base with white dotted openwork, offering 18% light transmittance and 20% conversion efficiency.
             Independently developed, breaking down traditional barriers in the photovoltaic industry.

 

In response to the Shenzhen Qianhai Ice and Snow World’s stringent requirements for photovoltaic systems—covering aesthetics, power-generation efficiency, and wind‑pressure resistance—conventional PV technologies fall short of meeting all these demands. To address this, Far East Green Energy has developed a tailored, innovative solution.

 

In response to the multiple stringent requirements of the Shenzhen · Qianhai Ice and Snow World for the photovoltaic system in terms of aesthetics, power generation efficiency, and wind resistance safety performance, traditional photovoltaic technology is unable to fully meet these demands. Therefore, Far East Green Energy has specially developed a customized and innovative solution for this purpose.

 

Its independently developed LIGHT Pro roofing product challenges the conventional perception of exterior walls as major energy consumers. By leveraging a proprietary high-temperature glaze and sintering process, it achieves an釉‑coated exterior surface that is translucent yet opaque, creating a “super roof that generates electricity.”

 

Its independently developed LIGHT Pro roofing product breaks the traditional perception that building exterior walls are "power-consuming giants". By using its own developed high-temperature glaze and sintering technology, it enables the external surface to be glazed and achieve both light transmission and opacity, creating a "power-generating super roof".

 

Architecture Empowers, Deeply Integrating Aesthetic Design

 

From an aesthetic standpoint, Light Pro roofing products employ a proprietary high‑temperature colored glaze process, achieving a visual appearance identical to that of aluminum curtain walls. Through strategic color‑palette design, the project integrates blue and white photovoltaic modules to form the brand’s logo, breaking away from the conventional “all‑black” stereotype of PV systems. This approach enables whole‑house power generation, seamlessly integrating photovoltaic technology into the urban landscape and truly achieving a profound synergy between energy‑producing performance and architectural aesthetics.

 

Aesthetically, the Light Pro roof products adopt the independently developed high-temperature colored glaze technology, achieving the same appearance as the aluminum plate curtain wall. Through the color combination design of the products, blue and white photovoltaic products are used to assemble and create the brand LOGO pattern, breaking the traditional "all-black" stereotype of photovoltaic products and realizing full-house power generation. The photovoltaic products are transformed into a part of the urban landscape, truly achieving a deep integration of power generation performance and architectural aesthetics.

 

Safety Performance: Unfazed by Typhoons, Utterly Stable
In terms of safety, the project is located in a coastal area where extreme typhoon conditions are unavoidable. To meet the design requirements for a 107-meter‑tall building subjected to a wind pressure of 9.1 kPa, Light Pro roofing products have achieved a dual breakthrough in their structural design: first, they feature a high‑strength stainless steel backplate, which enhances overall rigidity and strength, resulting in reduced deformation under the same wind loads; second, static load tests have demonstrated performance exceeding 15.4 kPa.
In terms of safety, the project is located in an coastal area, and extreme weather conditions such as typhoons are inevitable factors. To meet the design requirements of a 107-meter-tall building with a wind pressure of 9.1 kPa, the Light Pro roof product structure has achieved two breakthroughs: On one hand, the product adopts a high-strength stainless steel back plate design, which enhances the overall stiffness and strength of the product. Under the same wind load conditions, the deformation is smaller, and the static load test reaches above 15.4 kPa.

On the other hand, the product features enhanced installation through its integrated mounting system, with a stainless steel frame and back panel that meet wind‑pressure design requirements across all dimensions, enabling it to withstand typhoons up to Category 17. This results in a product that combines lightweight construction with exceptional structural strength. Furthermore, this product series has been rigorously tested and certified by multiple internationally recognized authorities, including TÜV, CE, and COC. The company holds a total of 80 granted patents, leveraging robust technical expertise to satisfy the stringent demands of global markets.
On the other hand, the product is enhanced by its connection for better installation. The product is surrounded by a stainless steel frame and back panel, fully meeting the wind pressure design requirements and capable of withstanding a typhoon of level 17. This makes the product have both lightweight and high-strength features. At the same time, this series of products has passed numerous international authoritative tests and certifications from institutions such as TÜV, CE, and COC. The company has cumulatively obtained 80 patents, demonstrating its strong capabilities to meet the stringent demands of the international market.

 

Dual Carbon Control and Intelligent Zero-Carbon Technology System

 

The project employs an active energy‑saving design strategy, establishing an energy management system that integrates ice‑storage cooling with intelligent control. By leveraging off‑peak nighttime electricity rates, a large‑scale ice‑storage tank silently accumulates “cold energy,” which is then released during the day to meet the snow‑making facility’s cooling demands, reducing peak‑period power loads by up to 30%.

 

The project adopts an active energy-saving design strategy, establishing an energy management system of "ice storage cooling + intelligent regulation". By taking advantage of the low electricity prices during the night, the huge ice storage tank gradually accumulates "cold energy", which is then released during the day to meet the cooling demands of the ski resort, thereby reducing the peak electricity load by 30%.

 

In addition, leveraging a sophisticated refrigeration and snowmaking system along with an extensive, large‑span cold‑storage panel structure, the project achieves sustained low‑temperature snowmaking in a subtropical climate. Its “zero‑leakage” cold‑storage node technology and photovoltaic metal roofing enable an annual power generation of up to 7.36 million kWh, seamlessly integrating energy efficiency with functional performance.

 

In addition, the project relies on a complex refrigeration snow-making electrical system and a large-span cold storage panel system throughout the house. It is capable of continuously creating snow at a low temperature in subtropical regions. The "zero cold leakage" cold storage node technology and the photovoltaic metal roof enable the project to generate 7.36 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, achieving an organic combination of energy conservation and functionality.

 

In the central control room, multiple data streams flicker across a large display. This is the project’s dual‑control energy‑carbon management platform, which provides real-time monitoring of more than 5,000 energy‑monitoring points throughout the venue. Leveraging AI algorithms in this “smart brain,” it optimizes equipment operating parameters, reducing overall energy consumption by over 40% compared with conventional ice and snow venues.

 

In the central control room, multiple data streams are flashing on the large screen. This is the dual-energy carbon control management platform deployed simultaneously for the project. It conducts real-time monitoring of over 5,000 energy monitoring points throughout the venue. Through the AI algorithms of this "smart brain", it optimizes the operating parameters of the equipment, reducing the overall energy consumption by more than 40% compared to traditional ice and snow venues.

△ Interior of Shenzhen Huafa Ice and Snow Miracle, photographed by Wang Shihan.

 

Meanwhile, to challenge the conventional perception of ice and snow venues as “high‑energy‑consumption” facilities, the project has established a zero‑carbon technology framework that covers the entire lifecycle—from energy generation and consumption to recovery—and has currently achieved LEED Gold certification.

 

At the same time, in order to break through the conventional perception that traditional ice and snow venues are "highly energy-consuming", the project has established a zero-carbon technology system covering the entire chain of energy production, consumption and recycling. Currently, it has reached the LEED Gold certification standard.

 

 

 

Project design-related drawings

 

 

△ Schematic of the project’s master planning concept

△ Master Planning Model

△Elevation of the building façade

△ Animated simulation of the project’s curtain wall construction organization

△ High-precision BIM model of the project’s curtain wall

△ Design Sketch

 

China Construction Industry Group (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”) was established in Hong Kong in 1969. It was listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 2010 (stock code 00830.HK) and acquired by China State Construction International Holdings Limited in 2012, becoming a listed subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corporation with building curtain walls as its core business.

 

Its core business brand, “Far East Curtain Wall,” is Hong Kong’s oldest specialized curtain wall company. Selected for the World Brand Lab’s “Asia’s Top 500 Brands,” the company operates across five continents, 13 countries and regions, and 102 cities, having completed more than 1,000 curtain wall projects, including landmark structures such as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, No. 2 Murray Road in Hong Kong’s Central district, and the O+H Building—the international headquarters of OPPO in Shenzhen. “Far East Curtain Wall” boasts industry‑leading, end-to‑end supply chain management capabilities, deeply integrating BIM technology with supply chain data to create the “Digital Far East Curtain Wall Full‑Lifecycle Management Platform,” enabling digitalized management across the entire process—from design and procurement through production and logistics to installation. In Zhuhai, the intelligent manufacturing base developed by “Far East Curtain Wall” can produce up to 600,000 square meters of complex curtain walls or 1.2 million square meters of standard curtain walls annually.

 

The company has actively responded to the national “dual carbon” strategic goals and is driving a green transformation. In 2024, it established Far East Green Energy Technology (Guangdong) Co., Ltd., focusing on BIPV product R&D and business operations, and launched the LIGHT series of photovoltaic façade products to meet the needs of green building design. In addition, the company’s “Zhonghai Supervision” brand holds the highest-level supervision qualifications and has undertaken more than 1,200 projects to date. On the investment and operations front, Shenyang Huanggu Thermal Power is a cogeneration enterprise that integrates environmental protection, energy conservation, and consumption reduction, directly providing heating services to 210,000 households and over 100 institutions in the northwest of Shenyang.

 

 

Project Name: Shenzhen Qianhai·Hua Fa Ice and Snow World (Ultra-Snow Center)

Project Location: Airport New City, Bao’an District, Shenzhen, adjacent to the International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Total floor area: approximately 339,300 m²; the super‑snow center covers about 100,000 m².

Building height/span: 106 m in height, main truss span of 107 m, and a column-free space of 120 m.

Steel consumption: approximately 47,000 tons (exceeding that of the Bird’s Nest)

Construction Schedule Milestones:

October 2024: Structural topping-out

2025-09-29: Trial Operation

End of 2025: Official opening

Architectural Design: 10Design International Studio

Architectural Design: Beijing Weituo Shidai Architectural Design Co., Ltd.

Curtain Wall/Envelope Design: CSCEC Research Institute (China Academy of Building Research)

BIPV Specialized Design/Supply/Construction: China Construction Xingye · Far East Green Energy

Steel Structure Design: China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Design Institute

General Contractor: China Construction Third Engineering Bureau (for the main structure, steel structure, civil works, MEP systems, and interior fit-out)

BIPV Special Subcontract: China Construction Xingye – Far East Green Energy (35,000㎡ rooftop BIPV system)

Steel Structure Construction: China State Construction Engineering Corporation Third Bureau (47,000 tons, ground assembly + overall lifting)

Owner: Shenzhen Ronghua Land Investment Co., Ltd.

Ski Resort Operations: Shenzhen Huafa Ice and Snow Sports Co., Ltd.
Commercial/Hotel Operations: A commercial operating company under China Hua Fa Group.

Project Honors: Shenzhen Green Building Demonstration Project, Zero‑Energy Building Certification, TÜV/UL/SGS Certifications, and full compliance with wind‑resistance, waterproofing, and weather‑resistance standards.

 

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