BlueScope Introduces An Innovative Solar Roof That Provides Heat And Power

Posted December 31, 2015 12:37am UTC by designer

bluescope-roof-home-design

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.

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