Integrated Solar energy systems for retrofit into existing buildings

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.


Tiled roof retrofit	Slate roof	Tiled roof	Slate roof retrofit

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

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.

Further Information

How it Works - Introduction to Solar Water Heating

Solar Panels for Pitched Roofs

Solar Panels for Flat Roof or Ground

Solar Heating Plumbing Kits

Solar for large residential buildings

Gallery

Case Studies

Downloads
	Solar Never Looked so Good Information for developers Hi resolution (pdf 4.0MB) Lo resolution (pdf 0.8MB)	Its Time to Put Your Roof to Work Information for home owners Hi resolution (pdf 7.0MB) Lo resolution (pdf 0.9MB)
	BBA Certificate Cerfiticate number 07/4474 (pdf 0.4 MB)	More product literature