Solar roof

A solar roof is a pitched or flat roof that generates renewable solar energy by using industrial solar panels. These are different solar panels than for private use: in fact, they are a lot larger. The area on which solar roofs are built is also large. At Novar, we build solar roofs as small as 3,000 m2. A solar roof is much more than a row of solar panels: it is above all and primarily a sustainable source of energy! Read more

To give substance to the energy transition, we will have to generate sustainable energy in various ways. For solar, this means we need to realize solutions both on land and in the built environment. Roofs are enormously important in this regard.

Increasingly, large solar parks are being built on (agricultural) land. But not everyone has access to at least 50,000 m2 of land. At Novar we can build on roofs smaller: from 3,000 m2. Roofs of sheds, warehouses, or parking garages, for example, also provide a double function for the existing environment. The generated energy can then be used for different purposes and target groups. An example: a solar roof of 10,000 m2 on an industrial site can supply a residential area with about 400 homes with green electricity for a year!

From Novar, we are also looking at solutions such as solar carports, solar thermal and batteries.

To determine whether a company roof is suitable as a solar roof, we always do a feasibility study. Not every roof is immediately suitable, but often company roofs can be made suitable for installing solar panels. In doing so, we always take into account:

• Obstacles on the roof
• Shade from surrounding trees and buildings
• The current roof structure
• Type of roofing
• Net roof area
• Connectivity to the existing energy grid.

Together with the roof owner, our specialists explore options such as a new roof construction, the ideal arrangement of solar panels and the best mounting system. For example, there are possibilities for solar panels on roofs with a lightweight construction. We also make arrangements with the grid operator. Here, capacity is the biggest issue.

The number of solar panels on a commercial building depends on several factors. Such as the size of the roof and the net surface area: the space actually filled with panels. This depends on the rotation of the sun, the shadows on your premises and any 'obstacles' on your premises. An example is Zonnedak Beerta Ulsderweg. Here are 1,297 panels placed, good for 223,230 kg less CO2 emissions per year.

In principle, any solar panel is suitable for a solar roof, but not every solar panel is the same. There are mainly three types of solar panels that can be distinguished:

• Monocrystalline solar panels.
  The structure of the silicon in these solar cells consists of one large crystal. Hence the name. Monocrystalline material was originally used in the production of electronics chips Because monocrystalline solar panels are produced in this way, they have the highest efficiency of the three types of solar panels, but are the most expensive.
• Polycrystalline solar panels
  To produce polycrystalline solar panels, silicon in liquid form is used. This liquid substance is poured into large blocks. As these blocks harden, crystals form that take on different shapes, making them less "smooth. The difference in efficiency between polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar panels runs to several percent.
• Amorphous solar panels
  An amorphous solar panel uses a photovoltaic layer applied to a glass or other material. This type of solar panel is the cheapest available on the market due to its low production cost. On the other hand, it also has the lowest efficiency.

For Novar, efficiency versus yield is always an important consideration in a solar roof project. Therefore, an amorphous type will not be chosen easily. On the other hand, a monocrystalline may be too expensive compared to the slightly higher yield of the solar panel. Each project is different!

Business solar panels produce direct current via sunlight on the business roof. Inverters then convert this into alternating current. You use this alternating current directly on site or supply it back to the energy grid.

Realizing a solar roof consists of five different phases:

1. Applications: You take the first step. Based on the information entered, we can estimate the solar yield of your roof.
2. Develop: We examine how your solar roof can fit into the power grid, how good the current roof construction is, and we set the initial (contract) arrangements.
3. Financing: As a roof owner, you don't have to invest in your solar roof yourself. We arrange all the financing and apply for the SDE subsidy.
4. Construction: During construction, we make sure that you and your employees can continue to work undisturbed 'down below' . So you have no loss of production. In short: you operate under the roof, we are on top.
5. Manage: We stay connected for at least 16 years and keep your solar roof in top condition all that time. We remotely monitor the performance of the solar roof 24/7 and intervene immediately if necessary.

We install large-scale solar panels on company roofs to contribute to sustainable energy generation. This is especially effective on large roofs such as those of sheds, warehouses and parking garages. In doing so, this provides a dual function of the existing environment. The generated energy can then be used for different purposes and audiences. For example, a 10,000 m2 solar roof on an industrial site can supply a residential area with about 400 homes with green electricity for a year! On roofs, we can build from 3,000 m2 at Novar.

A solar roof can be connected to the power grid only when there is sufficient transmission capacity available on the local power grid. This is because a solar roof produces an enormous amount of power. Tip: If the SDE subsidy was recently awarded, there will be sufficient transmission capacity available in your area.

How the solar roof will be technically connected to the energy grid depends on the throughput of your main connection. If the capacity allows it, we will try to use the existing connection as much as possible. However, if the connection does not have sufficient capacity, we will consult with you about installing an external transformer or making the existing connection heavier.

This consideration includes whether you supply (part of) the generated electricity to your own company or whether everything is delivered back to the energy grid. A full feed-in connection has the advantage that an additional metering point can be realized, making it possible to contract multiple energy suppliers on one connection.

Novar supports you in identifying all the options and choices.