Page 64 - Solar Power in Building Design The Engineer's Complete Design Resource

34 SOLAR POWER TECHNOLOGIES

covering and solar power cogeneration that can be readily installed on a variety of flat
and curved roof surfaces. Even though the output efficiency of this particular technol-
ogy is considerably lower than that of conventional glass-laminated mono- or poly-
crystalline silicon photovoltaic systems, its unique pliability and dual-function use as
both a solar power cogenerator and a roof covering system make it indispensable in
applications where roof material replacement and coincidental renewable energy
generation become the only viable options.
Over the past years, Solar Integrated Technologies has evolved from a traditional
industrial roofing company into the leading supplier of building-integrated photo-
voltaic (BIPV) roofing systems. The company’s unique approach to the renewable
energy market enables it to stand out from the competition by supplying a product that
produces clean renewable energy, while offering a durable industrial-grade roof.

Innovative product Solar Integrated Technologies has combined the world’s first
single-ply roofing membrane under the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program with the most
advanced, amorphous silicon photovoltaic cells. The result is an integrated, flexible
solar roofing panel that rolls onto flat surfaces. Figure 2.13 depicts manufacturing
process of film technology and single ply PVC lamination process.
Until the introduction of this product, the installation of solar panels on large-area
flat or low-slope roofs was limited due to the heavy weight of traditional rigid crys-
talline solar panels. This lightweight solar product overcomes this challenge and elim-
inates any related roof penetrations.
The Solar Integrated Technologies BIPV roofing product is installed flat as an inte-
2
gral element of the roof and weighs only 12 ounces per square foot (oz/ft ), allowing

Figure 2.13 Manufacturing process of film technology and single-ply PVC
lamination process. Photo courtesy of Solar Integrated Technologies, Los Angeles, California.