Global Solar Builds BIPV Solar Project On Curved Roof

In collaboration with specialist roof companies Mapei, Alubel and B.A. Energie, Global Solar Energy has completed three building integrated photovoltaic projects (BIPV) on different roof types in Italy using flexible thin-film modules. Due to the pliable module nature, one of the solar plants could be installed on a curved roof. All three solar projects have been set up without mounting hardware. They successfully completed trial periods and now supply power to a total of around 100 households. Global Solar will complete further five BIPV projects in Italy by the end of June 2012. 

B.A. Energie and Alubel installed a solar plant with an output of 70 kilowatt peak (kWp) on the curved roof of an industrial building located in Milan, being connected to the grid in December 2011. Due to the flexibility of Global Solar's thin-film modules they could be applied directly to the curved roof: the modules were fixed on the metal roof by a metal profile designed by Alubel. Together with leading metal roof supplier Alubel, B.A. Energie specializes in developing innovative BIPV roofing systems that are particularly suited to building integration. With headquarters in Busto Arsizio, in Lombardy, the company oversees solar projects from planning to completion. Alubel has more than 60 years of experience in metal roofing and protective covering and produces roofing systems in 7 factories worldwide. 

In the second case, a 100 kWp solar plant was installed on a flat roof in Milan. Sets of four Global Solar modules were affixed to TPO membranes during the manufacturing process already, which were then welded to TPO membranes on the roof during installation. This project was coordinated by B.A. Energie and Polyglass S.p.A., a Mapei Group division. Mapei is today the world's largest producer of adhesives, seals and chemical products for the construction industry. The Group specializes in PVC and TPO flat roof systems. Mapei has 67 affiliated companies with 59 manufacturing plants and currently operates in 28 countries across the globe.

In the third solar project, the flexible modules were adapted to the existing structure of the aluminum roof and affixed into place. The 15 kWp plant was realized by B.A. Energie and Alubel on a public building in Lodi, Lombardy, and was connected to the grid in April 2012.

"Demand for our thin film modules is high in Italy because many roofs have weight limitations and thus traditional glass modules cannot be installed," states Jean-Noel Poirier, Chief Sales Officer of Global Solar Energy. Weighing just 3.5 kilograms per square meter, Global Solar modules allow generating solar energy on industrial roofs which cannot bear heavy loads. 

"We decided to partner with Global Solar as they not only deliver the modules with the highest efficiency on the market, but also help us to develop new roofing systems by giving us technical support", explains Marco Zibetti, CEO of B.A. Energie S.r.l. Global Solar for example conducts tests for roofing materials bonded to the modules and refines its products according to their partners´ needs. 

Thanks to a unique formulation of copper, indium, gallium and diselenide Global Solar Energy's PowerFLEX BIPV modules achieve high efficiencies of up to 12.6% producing twice as much energy as flexible amorphous silicon solar modules. As a consequence, lesser modules have to be installed to generate the same amount of energy, the installation time decreases by up to 40%.