BioSOLAR PV mounting system for biodiverse green roofs

Flat roof manufacturer Bauder has launched a solar PV mounting system for biodiverse or extensive green roofs.

Bauder BioSOLAR was unveiled at the inaugural European Biosolar Roof Conference that took place in September at City Hall in London. 

Designed primarily for new build applications to help meet planning and BREEAM requirements; the integrated system addresses the misconception that green roof and PV technologies are mutually exclusive options.

Dual technologies

The biosolar roof delivers a duality of technologies for environmental advantage, providing reciprocal benefits in terms of maximising the energy output from the PV module and the footprint for the green roof. 

Bauder’s BioSOLAR system uses the substrate and vegetation to provide the ballasted installation mechanism. This removes the need to penetrate the waterproofing to secure the mounting units to the roof. 

As a greater area is available for vegetation, this enables the entire roof to qualify as a biodiverse green roof.

Biosolar solution

A key feature of Bauder’s unique system is that the front edge of the polycrystalline PV panel is raised 300mm above the finished green roof level. This allows light and moisture to reach beneath the panels whilst ensuring the mature vegetation will not shade the panels and can be easily maintained.

The mixture of sunny, shaded and sheltered areas together with a variable depth of FLL compliant extensive substrate gives a matrix of different habitats that allow a broader range of plant species to thrive, and a rich foraging environment for bees and insects.

The BioSOLAR system also delivers advantages to the building, as the cooling effect of the vegetation and water held within the green roof system preserves the ambient temperature around the PV array. This in turn increases solar output by over 5%.

The PV mounting frame features a 100% recycled high-density polyethylene base board and consists of just three components – a quick fix angle support, profile module rail and module fixings. 

The Bauder BioSOLAR system can also be retrofitted on many existing roofs without the need for any structural modification to the building, with Bauder able to supply and install all of the waterproofing, green roof and PV elements required. 

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Bauder,
70 Landseer Road,
Ipswich,
Suffolk,
IP3 0DH,
UK

Phone: 01473 257671
Fax: 01473 230761

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