SUSTAINABILITY
SOLAR SURGES AHEAD AS SUSTAINABLE DEMAND RISES
Dan Hancox, corporate sustainability and development director at Russell Roof Tiles looks at how merchants can bolster their solar product offering to meet increasing demand.
S
olar energy is becoming one of the fastest-growing renewable energy technologies, in-fact Coventry Building Society recently reported that the
rate of solar panel installations on UK homes reached a seven-year high in 2023. As many look to reduce their energy consumption to combat rising bills or aim to offset their carbon footprint, renewable energy solutions are becoming increasingly important. Solar in particular is enjoying a surge in popularity, industry body Solar Energy UK estimates that solar technologies are currently used in one in every 20 buildings in the UK, from garden sheds to commercial estates. This is largely due to the cost of solar technologies declining as manufacturing processes improve and government incentives such as the Future Homes Standard promote adoption of the resource, making them more accessible. Solar PV can significantly reduce electricity bills for both residential and commercial properties by generating energy on-site, reducing reliance on traditional utility companies. Once the initial installation costs are covered, solar energy becomes cheaper than traditional grid electricity over time, leading to considerable long-term savings.
Match demand
In the construction industry, many companies are aware of their environmental impact and strive for sustainable practices, embracing the duty to lead with innovative solutions. The increased demand for solar solutions presents a very significant market opportunity that merchants can capitalise on, facilitating builders or contractors with the best knowledge, products and systems on offer.
Historically the most conventional form of solar technology has been on-roof mounted solar panels. The traditional on-roof panels & mounting kits allow for installation on a number of roof types from flat to more complex styles and allow for them to be
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the manufacturers’ extensive range offering a wide range of finishes to choose from. The in-roof system seamlessly integrates with the surrounding roof covering with an all-black panel to provide an unrivalled aesthetic. Bespoke sizes are available on request enabling the system to be adapted to a range of residential or commercial building types.
adjusted for optimum sunlight exposure. In recent years though, particularly in the new- build sector, in-roof solar PV has gained traction as the ideal solution for those wanting to integrate solar energy generation.
In-roof solar PV systems offer the full package when it comes to a solar energy generation. While enabling solar energy to be efficiently collected, the panels are integrated directly into the roof architecture, providing both a roof covering and a means for energy generation. This is particularly beneficial for both new builds and renovation projects where the design and functionality of the roof go hand in hand, and where a full re-roof must be undertaken. Perhaps the biggest advantage of an in-roof PV system is that it avoids the need to pay for a roof covering such as tiles, only to break the integrity of that covering with subsequent on roof brackets and mounting frames. They also offer aesthetic benefits when included at design stage, and seamlessly blend in as if they were intended to be there, rather than a bolt-on.
Renewable benefits Russell Roof Tiles new RussFast Solar PV system has been designed to be laid in a variety of configurations giving it the flexibility needed to suit all projects, roof shapes and tile types. Combining high panel efficiency with the latest solar cell technology means that fewer panels are needed per square metre, saving roof space, labour and materials. The RussFast Solar PV system has been designed to be compatible with all the tiles in
A roofer friendly solar solution Typically, most solar products can at a minimum be installed by those who have experience or have received specialist training. Given the market’s rising interest in solar solutions, merchants offering accessible products that use familiar components and can be readily installed by roofers will benefit the entire industry. RussFast Solar has been designed to offer a roofer-friendly solution that can be installed in a similar way to concrete tiles. The interlocking fixing system makes installation quick and easy; the trays are laid bottom up, right to left, and overlap / interlock in the same way as a roof tile. Aluminium side flashings with adhesive foam strips surround the array, and act as a water barrier on perimeters. Top and bottom flashings are flexible aluminium rolls, with adhesive butyl strips which are installed in the same way as a RussFast Dry Ridge system. Additional screws, clamps and fixings, all fix directly to standard 25mm x 50mm roofing batten, and the tiles still provide excellent weather tightness and structural performance ensuring that the roof performs as it should while generating electricity.
Demand for solar products will only continue to rise. For the industry to move towards a sustainable future and seize the opportunity at hand, merchants and installers needs to work together to provide suitable solutions. Merchants must ensure their product offering is bolstered with the required solar products and play a pivotal role for installers by deepening their understanding of current customer wants and needs surrounding renewable energy generation. n
A supplement to builders merchants journal June 2024
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