Solar panels on aging rooftops: These innovative PV modules are now functional
In a groundbreaking development, German company Solarwatt has introduced PV lightweight modules, ideal for generating affordable solar power from load-bearing limited roofs. These innovative modules, featuring a front made of reinforced tempered glass, weigh just 5 kg per square meter, making them an intriguing option for older roofs on agricultural farms and even petrol stations.
Petrol stations consume a significant amount of electricity, approximately 100,000 kWh per year. By installing Solarwatt's PV lightweight modules on their roofs, these stations could significantly reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs. In high sunlight, a kilowatt hour of electricity can be generated for only 3 Euro cents using these modules.
The efficiency of these lightweight modules is almost identical to that of conventional PV systems, but with a significant weight reduction. This makes them particularly suitable for roofs that cannot support the weight of a standard PV system, such as older roofs on agricultural operations.
The benefits of using PV lightweight modules extend beyond cost savings and reduced carbon emissions. A 45 kWp solar plant using these modules can generate a cash flow of 100,000 euros over 20 years. Moreover, the use of these modules can save 600 tonnes of CO2, contributing to the global fight against climate change.
Solarwatt's innovative approach has not gone unnoticed. The company was invited to Lisbon as a winner of the start-up competition by Galp, where they proposed the use of PV lightweight modules for petrol station roofs. The first pilot project using these modules was realised within a short time.
High self-consumption of solar power can lead to a payback time of 5 years on the overall project with external capital investment, reducing the amortization of equity capital to one year. This means that switching a photovoltaic system to self-consumption can make sense in certain cases, as demonstrated by Solarwatt's PV lightweight modules.
In summary, Solarwatt's PV lightweight modules offer a promising solution for generating solar power on load-bearing limited roofs, including those found on older agricultural buildings and petrol stations. With their low weight, high efficiency, and potential for significant cost savings and carbon emissions reductions, these modules are set to revolutionise the solar power industry.
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