In Australia, Sydney the terrace of a house situated in the suburb of Glebe could be the world’s first building with an integrated system that produces both electricity and heat.
BlueScope introduced this roofing product, which combines thin-film solar PV and solar technologies, as a result of its efforts and the help provided by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. The solar roof – presented in the picture – has a top layer that produces electricity in a similar way as the solar PV modules, simultaneously heat being trapped and distributed between the two layers for use in space and water heating.
The purpose of this innovative roof is to replace conventional roofs in Australia in the near future, even though BlueScope’s representatives have already stated that it will probably not happen any time soon. Before launching the company representatives have to thoroughly understand the manufacturing costs and how supply chains should be managed.
ARENA still promoted the product, after a $2.3 million grant for the $5 million project.
“Today we are witnessing an exciting new technology solution moving from the lab to be prototyped on everyday Australian rooftops for the first time,” Ivor Frischknecht, the ARENA CEO, stated.
“The old corrugated steel roof on this house in Glebe has been completely replaced with the first integrated photovoltaic (PV) thermal system in Australia, generating reliable renewable energy for the residents. A tile roof in the Illawarra region has also been replaced with the integrated PV system, demonstrating its versatility”.
“In addition to PV panels, an innovative thermal duct system warms and cools air to supplement air conditioning in the homes. These first installations are an important step as the technology moves towards commercialization and cost competitiveness with conventional rooftop PV.”
Furthermore, Frischknecht said that because of this system the costs of installation and energy will definitely be reduced.
By improving PV modules and roofing designers BlueScope makes efforts in reducing system costs. Nevertheless, the costs are also reduced by less packaging, lower investments in transportation, and a low-cost installation.
Dr Troy Coyle, the head of coating product development of BlueScope, told RenewEconomy in 2012 that the market is heading in the future toward innovation in designs and an incorporating energy production. “That is where the roofing industry is heading,” she stated.
“The market motivator is energy reduction, and the motivator for integration into rooftop design is a reduction of material costs and in building heating costs,” Coyle said. “That way we can have it all done in one.”
Bob Baldwin and the deputy for Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane attended the opening. “This a great display of Australian ingenuity and an example of industry leveraging government funding to make breakthroughs that may lead to advanced manufacturing and export opportunities,” Baldwin stated.
hows about safety harness,s they were inited ags av go and scaffoling mate
I was thinking the same thing. That’s a pretty steep roof with no safety harness.
Those guys are probably there just for the photo and not actually working. When it comes to media, they get to skirt a lot of rules and regs.
Looking for
Dealer in my area
Instalation and training
Benefit verses standard
Pricing
Availability
Yes very interested from Alberta
Me too. I’m in Calgary and would love to consider
something like this
Same here in the Lake Superior part of Michigan.
Hi.. I live in Garden island creek, Tasmania…and am very interested in this product as we currently use gas for hot water and have solar for some of our power usage..my house is 30 mths in length and approx 10 mths wide with colour bond roof…many thanks for this info..
This technology is not new. In 1979 Steve Strong of Solar Design Associates Designed and I built a hybrid PV-thermal collector. The photovoltaic cells were bonded to a plate backed with copper D-tubes. The water flowing through the tubes cooled the PV and improved its eficiency
Very intrested in this product, I live in Texas, would be a great venture in my home state.
What is the thermal resistance in this system? What is the lowest outside temp that the thin solar panels can withstand?
Interested in this product for the UK market,please advise, Dave
If you are looking for a remote area for trial let me know
Lord Howe island nsw 2898…im interested
Is this system available outside of Australia?
Would like to know if it’s available in the US. Very interested in something like this
More details technically and comer ail terms
South Africa EPC
Here in NH we were running hydronics under standing seam metal with pv film. The resultant hot water + electricity was happening 15 years ago.
Interested in marketing in BC, Canada
Is this available in U.S.? Interested in knowing more. Live in Missouri.
I am interested in this product for Costa Rica. Please let me know
would love to offer my roof. In Minnesota and very concerned for environment
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