SOLAR POWER
Why more people are choosing roof-integrated PV systems over traditional solar panels
I
n the UK, solar power is becoming more popular than ever before as it makes the transition from an investment leaning on government subsidies to a mainstream choice for cheaper and renewable energy. According to figures from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the last 12 months have seen a significant growth in installed solar photovoltaic capacity, with well over 8 gigawatts being produced nationwide in December 2015, compared to the 5 gigawatts produced during the same month in 2014.
With the demand for solar panels at its height, it is worth looking at the two most popular systems for homes in the UK: on-roof mounted systems and roof integrated tiles.
On-roof systems are the first generation of residential solar panels; with roof integrated systems a relatively new phenomenon. On-roof solar systems consist of a set of solar panels attached to your roof by a mount, which is bolted onto your tiles. Roof-integrated panels are designed to be incorporated into your roof surface, and when installed will replace a section of your tiles. While both types of system will perform an efficient job at harnessing the sun’s energy, more people are opting for roof-integrated as opposed to on-roof systems. Read on to find out why this is the case.
Risk of invalidating your roof warranty
One of the biggest risks of installing solar panels is voiding the warranty of your roof. Warranties differ in what they allow
and don’t allow —what makes one null and void might be perfectly acceptable for another — but installing on-roof solar panels involves penetrating your roof surface and this is one of the most common reasons for a warranty breach. It is not impossible to install on-roof systems without voiding your roof warranty, but it will involve a lot of going back and forth between the company that installed your roof and your solar panel contractor. Alternatively, roof-integrated PV systems, are installed as an integral part of the roofscape. Certified to MCS 012, they perform as a building product, protecting against wind lift, weather and other elements and are usually installed at the time of installing or replacing a roof, this makes them ideal for house builders, landlords and self-build projects. As both tiles and PV are installed together with PV parallel to the tiling, it means there is no modification to the roof tiles, securing the validity of the warranty.
Easier maintenance
If you invest in some high-quality solar panels, you can expect them to last around 20 years. During this time there is a strong chance that you will need some maintenance to the units themselves and the roof around or beneath them. On-roof PV systems make it difficult to access the tiles around or under them due to the bulky mounting holding them in place. To access these tiles, it is often necessary to remove the entire mount, making it less convenient to carry out repairs. Additionally, on-roof systems require you to penetrate the surface of your roof to install them, which can lead to capillary action over time. The trapped
surface water can freeze and thaw, causing erosion damage to your roof. Also, due to the fact that on-roof systems are less convenient to repair, it can lead to workmen spending more time on your roof, increasing the risk of human damage to your roof tiles. With a roof-integrated PV system, the panels are part of the surface, so if any work is required on the surrounding roof tiles they are easily accessible. Maintenance on the tiles themselves can be carried out by simply removing or replacing them. Some systems even allow for repairs that are made from the interior.
Kerb appeal
It is no secret that roof-integrated tiles look more attractive than on-roof systems. The simple fact that the tiles are concealed within the body of the roof, often in the same or a similar shade as the roof surface, makes them a lot more visually pleasing than the bulky look of on-roof mounted tiles. Discreet roof-integrated PV systems can add more value to a house, as they do not detract from the aesthetic appeal of the building’s façade. This is often an important factor for owners looking to re-sell properties and housebuilders.
Price
At one point, a major selling point for on-roof PV systems was the fact they were a lot cheaper to purchase and install than roof-integrated systems. This has become less prevalent, however, as the price of roof-integrated tiles has been greatly reduced as they have grown in popularity with homeowners and construction companies. The overheads for each system are marginal, and many people are now opting for the solar solution that offers the most advantages rather than the cheapest price. After taking stock of the numerous advantages that roof-integrated PV systems hold over on-roof systems, it is easy to see why they have had such an increase in popularity. As solar technology is developed,these advantages may grow to be so numerous that consumers have little reason to consider an on-roof PV system at all.
This article was written by the solar PV experts at Romag, one of the UK’s largest and most experienced manufacturers of bespoke glass and solar PV solutions.
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ENERGY MANAGER MAGAZINE • MARCH 2016
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