Page 297 - A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Energy Systems

Chapter 14 • Advanced Building Integrated Photovoltaic/Thermal Technologies 301

thermal electric roofing system (BITerS) by Atlantis energy Systems, Inc. [28] and a
novel BIPVT solar roof panel developed by Columbia university [29–31]. Comparisons
among typical PVTs or BIPVTs with water as the heat transfer fluid found in the lit-
erature demonstrate that significant energy conversion efficiency improvement can
be achieved by the presented BIPVT roof panel to harvest solar energy in the form of
PV electricity as well as heat energy through the collection of warm water. overall, the
performance indicates a very promising prospective of the new BIPVT multifunctional
roofing panel.

14.2 Building Integrated Thermal Electric Roofing System

Advanced solar BIPV glass and solar PV SunSlates and TallSlates roof Tiles are shown in
Fig. 14.2. The SunSlates and TallSlates are both BIPV solar roofing products. The SunSlates
system is one of the most advanced BIPV Class A roofing systems in the market and it of-
fers a roof warranty and has a ul Class A fire certification. The TallSlates is a solar module
that generates electricity and act as a roof slate as well, which is ideal for straight slope roof
applications. The gutters on each side of the module act as drain channels as well as sup-
port for the mounting system.
It was reported from field experience that the SunSlate installation could be time
consuming and prone to mistakes. The new hybrid product, Building integrated ther-
mal electric roofing (BITer) system, and modular system could be hoisted preassem-
bled onto an existing roof or a new construction roof with excellent workability for in-
stallation.
The BITer is a solar hybrid system that can harvest solar energy in the form of both
thermal energy and electricity. The thermal component is located directly beneath the
SunSlates or the TallSlates and as a result the solar modules convert the solar energy into
dC power at a relatively high efficiency. All internal systems can be preinstalled in the
home prior to the units’ arrival, resulting in a dramatic labor and also insurance saving for
the roofing contractor. The units are then lowered into place by crane onto preset cleats

FIGURE 14.2 Solar roof system made by AES. (A) SunSlates, and (B) TallSlates.