Part 4 in the Series: ‘Solving the Problem with Roofs’
As close to the sun as they are likely to get, and away from most light-blocking obstructions, there is no better location for solar panels than rooftops.
There is fierce innovation in this area, driven by competitions like the Solar Decathlon, and the realization that intelligent use of solar panels can generate significant amounts of energy for our buildings.
SurPLUShome, the winning entry at this year’s Solar Decathlon, is a perfect example of how to maximize energy production from our buildings. The interior design of the building is a little Buckminster Fuller-ish, being one continuous space with no closed-off rooms, but you can’t argue with its energy efficiency. With 40 silicon rooftop solar panels and 250 thin-film copper indium gallium diselenide panels (CIGS) on its sides, it generates 200% of the energy it requires, meaning this building will actually make you money by selling the surplus energy back to the grid.
The surPLUShome also shows that the potential of solar power goes beyond just roofing. Even though the strongest sunlight hits the tops of buildings, exterior walls should not be ignored as venues for solar paneling.
However, as most solar panels are placed on top of existing buildings rather than being integrated into them, solar panel theft is becoming increasingly common. And there are only two possible solutions for this problem: attach solar panels more securely, or integrate them into the building.
DOW Chemical are following the latter option, with their Solar Shingles, expected to be released next year. As the name suggests, these solar panels are shaped like roof shingles and can be built into your average rooftop. They are super thin CIGS panels, as seen on the surPLUShome exterior walls, and are capable of capturing 10% of the light that hits them. Due to their small size and ability to be integrated into a normal roof, the average installation time is 10 hours compared to 22 hours for traditional solar panels, and once installed, they offset 60% of a homes energy consumption.
Clearly, there is a lot of money to be saved through combining solar panel and rooftops, which is why we’re seeing companies like Walmart opt for solar energy. They are involved in a partnership with BP solar, who have installed solar arrays on 20 of their stores. These stores generate 30% of their energy from the solar panels, lowering their energy costs and reducing CO2 emissions by 22,500 metric tonnes, or the equivalent of taking 4,000 cars off the road.
Solar panels could play a key role in solving the problem with roofs. The technology has progressed to the point where a solar-equipped building can generate its entire energy use, and with reports indicating that solar power costs are 50% lower than they were this time last year, its becoming an increasingly achievable possibility.
