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Solar for Retrofit

Solar energy systems for existing buildings

Increasing the energy efficiency of existing buildings is an important challenge. Simple measures that are available to developers of new buildings - measures such as increasing wall and floor insulation, choosing more energy efficient windows and building to higher levels of air-tightness may be prohibitively expensive or disruptive when applied after the event to a building that is already in use.

Conseqently managers of housing stock and homeowners are turning to renewable energy technologies with the aim of reducing fuel costs and achieving environmental targets.

Solar energy can offer a significant improvement in energy efficiency with a relatively small scale intervention, especially where combined with programmed maintenance of the roof.

Single Clearline V30 solar panel installed as retrofit.  Click to view larger image in new window.
Pair of V15 solar panels installed into slate roof as retrofit.  Click to view larger image in new window.
Pair of V20 solar panels installed into concrete interlocking tiles as retrofit.  Click to view larger image in new window.
Pair of V20 solar panels installed into slate roof as retrofit.  Click to view larger image in new window.
       

Build-in or Bolt-on?
It is a common misconception that integrated solar panels are only suitable for new build, and that for retrofit it is better to fix panels above the roof covering. There are a number of reasons why integrating into the roof covering is a better option for retrofit:

It looks better - see the Gallery for examples.
The panels weigh less than the tiles they replace, no roof strengthening is necessary.
The roof structure must be inspected as part of any solar installation - tiles have to be removed anyway.
All connections are made from inside the building

Read about "Retrofit for the Future" projects that chose to build-in Clearline here.

Peace of Mind
Clearline panels are designed to acheive a separation of roofing from plumbing and electrical works. This brings clarity of reponsibility and safer working practices. Clearline enables you to keep the working at height and the responsibility for the weathertightness of the roof all together in a roofing subcontractor's package, avoiding grey areas.

In marked contrast to the "compliance culture" of many suppliers in the construction products industry, Viridian has led the way on testing solar products. Rather than waiting for legislation to catch up with renewable energy products, Viridian worked with the British Board of Agrement to develop suitable tests for solar panels as a building component.

Read more on testing and accreditation here.

 

 

 

Further Information
 
Retrofit for the Future
How it Works - Introduction to Solar Energy
Solar for Integration into Pitched Roofs
Solar Panels for Flat Roof or Ground
Solar for Large Residential Buildings
Solar Heating Plumbing Kits
Gallery
Case Studies
 
Download
       
Download the Viridian Solar Brochure Solar Never Looked so Good
Viridian Solar Brochure
Click to download the datasheet for Clearline solar thermal collectors

Clearline Datasheet
High-performance solar heating panels

Click to download the datasheet for Clearline PV photovoltaic solar modules Clearline PV Datasheet
High-performance photovoltaic solar panels
First ever BBA certification for a renewable energy BBA Certificate
Certificate number 07/4474
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