A solar photovoltaic (PV) system mounted on the roof of a building is an electrical installation that converts solar energy into electricity. This can be used to meet the building’s own energy consumption or, in some countries, unused energy can be fed back into the electrical grid.
The size of the solar roof installation can vary and is dependent on the size of the building, the amount of electricity required, the funding available for the project, and the country’s rules and grid operator’s willingness to accept excess capacity.
CORE SOLAR ROOF SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Provided and Managed by Solar Roof Solution Provider:
1. Photovoltaic (PV) modules
2. Inverter
3. PV Mounting Structure and Clips
Designed and Provided by Nova Buildings:
4. Safe Access for System Installation, Maintenance and Emergency services
5. Equipment Laydown Areas on Roof for Safe Installation
Depending on the energy load type and the energy supply requirements, other components may be incorporated:
- string boxes
- batteries
- generators
- transformers
- meters
While Solar Roof PV systems add a relatively low additional load on a roof, it is still important to ensure that the overall system is in line with structural allowances, and that it does not compromise the building’s weather-proofing. Considering solar roof PV installation during the upfront structural design and roofing material selection makes installation of solar roof easier and cheaper on new buildings, and allows the PV system to be scaled up as necessary.
Indicate your interest for a solar roof so that Nova Buildings can integrate it into your PEB structural load and safe access design.
Industrial buildings usually come with profiled roof sheeting and the mounting structure can often be clipped on without any drilling. Where this is not available, it is still possible to drill into the roofing material to attach the solar roof module. However, penetrative mounting systems may compromise the building’s waterproofing and may have an impact on waterproofing and roofing warranties.
To maximize the use of generated electricity, particularly where the grid cannot be used for
reverse feed or where there is no grid at all, solar roof systems can be combined with other energy supply options (such as diesel or gas generators). The PV system can also integrate batteries for energy storage as they help to shift electricity generated during the middle of the day to morning and/or evening peaks.
This article has taken reference from Arup’s 5-minute Guide to Solar Roofs.
Below are images of standard mounting system components which may vary depending on solar solution provider or type of metal roofs.
