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Renewable Energy: Recessed PV panels

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    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2014
     
    The National Park guy would like to see our new build have inset PV panels, rather than those which sit above the slate roof.

    Anyone got any suggestions or recommendations on how to achieve this particular request?
    • CommentAuthorDarylP
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2014
     
    Does he mean 'in-roof' system?
    These are available from the large european mfr's, Schott, Ubbink etc al

    Good luck
  3.  
    A couple of colleagues have used 'in-roof' systems. One at least seems to use simply a 'giant plastic tray' as the waterproofing element of the system. Do you want me to try to get details?

    I believe one of CAT's solar roofs uses the panels themselves (and there must be some jointing system) as the waterproof layer.
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2014
     
    Posted By: DarylPDoes he mean 'in-roof' system?
    Yep, that's what he wants!

    Posted By: Nick ParsonsI believe one of CAT's solar roofs uses the panels themselves
    Must admit this is what I had in mind, after all the panels are waterproof, so I need to do is join them together to form one large sealed unit?! Mind you, the panels will form the 'picture' and the slates the 'frame' surrounding it. so I'll need some sort of flashing kit to make the transition between panel and slate?
  5.  
    I have done this myself DIY, I didn't use a 'system' - no leaks so far!! Make up of existing roof was beam and block with minimal screed to level a bit, 100mm small EPS panels with pre-stuck bitumen, extra 80mm on side borders, whole lot covered with 2 layers of bitumen. The main problem was the bottom edge because this side of my roof had a very small fall. I ended up using bitumen covered with copper sheet to go up and over the one row of tiles along the bottom. There are some pics on here somewhere of it. I guess this isn't going to help you though....:wink:
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2014 edited
     
    Posted By: GotanewlifeMake up of existing roof was beam and block
    Unfortunatly my roof is duo pitch, with one plane facing south, even the angle of the roof is prescribed by the national park people. Must admit I thought that some existing patent glazing bars would do to seal the panels together, if it works for conservatory glazing it should be OK on a roof.
    • CommentAuthoratomicbisf
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2014
     
    Is it just me, or does anyone else think recessed panels are a silly requirement? To my mind the standard ones look better, because they are on the building rather than part of it, psychologically they are less disruptive (perhaps because they are at least theoretically removable).

    Ed
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2014
     
    Our old mate JSH has a blog that includes his in-roof PV system
    http://www.ebuild.co.uk/blog/12/entry-99-in-the-beginning/
    • CommentAuthorGotanewlife
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2014 edited
     
    Posted By: TriassicUnfortunatly my roof is duo ditch

    Perhaps you should turn your plan the other way up :bigsmile:
    Posted By: atomicbisfIs it just me, or does anyone else think recessed panels are a silly requirement?

    Maybe it is just you - whilst I only put my panels in line with the tiles in order to qualify for the highest level of incentive, there is no doubt in my view that PV panels look much better when not perched on top of the roof. I would say though, that it is easier and much safer to build up a roof around panels than 'build-in' relying on panels and glazing bars to keep the water out. Ahhh here are some (slightly gratuitous) pics
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2014
     
    Posted By: atomicbisfdoes anyone else think recessed panels are a silly requirement?
    I think that recessed panels should save a few Bob on the price of expensive slate tiles they replace. Again the national park will only accept slate, so no cheap alternatives allowed, other than inset panels.
    • CommentAuthorGotanewlife
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2014 edited
     
    Yes that kind of applied to me - by the time I had removed and cleaned all my old concrete tiles I had nowhere near enough left to re-do the roof - but of course 24 PV panels saves on hell'uv a lot of tiles!!!

    PS these were taken before the FPs were added, you can see the threaded bars ready, and they are very ugly in comparison!
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2014
     
    I assume I can get panels without the ugly aluminium edges? What purpose do they serve?
    • CommentAuthorGotanewlife
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2014 edited
     
    Watch what you say my dear chap; I'll have you know these Scott panels were the latest thing back in the olden days of 2009! Now these are ugly:
    • CommentAuthorJecop
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2014
     
    If you prefer a British manufacturer, have a look at Viridian Solar. They have an in roof kit for their PV and Thermal panels
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2014
     
    If you don't have the ali frame, what you going to clamp to?
    Not sure why they have to be a natural finish though. Bit f black paint sorts it out.
  16.  
    Posted By: SteamyTeaOur old mate JSH has a blog that includes his in-roof PV system


    Don't know which product Jeremy went for but it doesn't appear to be very well integrated with the roof, it's better than sticking up on mounting channels but still not flush to the roof like GANL's
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2014
     
    Posted By: SteamyTeaIf you don't have the ali frame, what you going to clamp to?
    I'd assumed that if the PV panels are similar to a pane of glass I could use glazing bars, a bit like a conservatory?
  18.  
    re JSH PVs - Very slick look but helped enormously by colour of surrounding slates. Triassic, can you influence the colour of the slates or are you hands tied by the National Park guy?
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeMar 21st 2014
     
    So long as I use slate to match the local vernacular I'm OK and having looked around the village we have anything from black to light grey to green, so a colour match should not be a problem. All I need are panels with a black edge detail.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeMar 21st 2014
     
    You can get panels that are all black.
    • CommentAuthorskyewright
    • CommentTimeMar 21st 2014 edited
     
    Posted By: TriassicI'd assumed that if the PV panels are similar to a pane of glass I could use glazing bars, a bit like a conservatory?

    Would the frames stop you using (thicker) glazing bars? I'm not sure what range is available but IIRC the roof on our sunspace is 7 wall, 35mm polycarbonate & I'm pretty sure the frames on our PV panels are slimmer than that.
    • CommentAuthorSprocket
    • CommentTimeMar 21st 2014 edited
     
    We used a Renusol in-roof system on one pitch of a clay tile roof.

    http://www.renusol.com/en/solutions/in-roof.html

    The panels are spaced 20mm apart and sit above a waterproof rubber layer.
    It's well-waterproof. I trust it far more than the normally tiled opposite pitch.

    The system came with overlapping/interlocking flexible rubber sheets and tray detail for the edges of the panel... which is helpful but is not usually the edges of your roof.
    The fiddly details of what to do at the roof edges (eaves, ridge, gable ends... where we used a little bit more clay tile so that this pitch would look similar-ish from ground level view) were... fiddly.

    It saved us buying 100m2 of reclaimed clay tiles. Shame the PV panels are not red though. We used the Sanyo panels with circular cells and the overall look is 'interesting'... you certainly can't miss them. It's nowhere near as subtle as the photo Chris posted above - that looks really nice.

    Renusol have produced some much more integrated systems since we did this one though - they might be worth a closer look.
    • CommentAuthordickster
    • CommentTimeMar 21st 2014
     
    Could you put the panels on top and then build the left over bits of roof up to the panel height?. If you've only got 20% of original roof left after panels cover 80%, maybe it might be less work/cheaper etc.?
    • CommentAuthorjamesingram
    • CommentTimeMar 21st 2014 edited
     
    check out solarworld sundeck with all black panels
    http://www.solarworlduk.co.uk/product-range.php
    http://www.solarworlduk.co.uk/panels.php
    or Sunpower E18
    http://www.sunpowercorp.co.uk/homes/products-services/solar-panels/

    If you can live without total black panels ( and their cost!) check out
    REC black frame panels , excellent EROEI
    http://www.windandsun.co.uk/products/Solar-PV-Panels/REC-Solar-PV-Panels
    • CommentAuthorPeterW
    • CommentTimeMar 21st 2014
     
  26.  
    Not used them . They look good though. Have you priced up a system to compare with surface bars etc.
    • CommentAuthorPeterW
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2014
     
    I think I've got to about £40 per panel which is less than the cost of the tiles it will replace so it's cost neutral I think.

    Just got to get planning to accept PV in a conservation area ......

    Cheers

    Pete
  28.  
    I was under the impression unless a blank ban was invoice in your con area then it's under permitted developement. Are they other system up in the area.
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeApr 4th 2014
     
    One question asked by my wife regarding pv panels "why when roof coverings are Matt are pv panels gloss". She's the interior designer so has an eye for such detail.

    Any ideas why?
    • CommentAuthorDarylP
    • CommentTimeApr 4th 2014
     
    ... they are glazed! The glass protects the silicon, and is smooth, hence 'gloss'.:smile:

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