In an attempt to take advantage of the Feed in tariffs (FIT's) announced by Government last year investors and PV installers are making many claims about their abilities and intent to install PV systems on to metal roofs. Most are not aware of the risks and pitfalls that are associated with working at heights and the risks associated with working on metal roofs. Furthermore, they are exposing the building occupier, owner and developers with future punitive costs as their actions are likely to see the roof warranties being withdrawn.

CA Group have published a CA Renewables Guide to provide advice and guidance relating to the more popular Solar PV and Solar Air Heating options available. Focusing purely on the generation of power and heat for commercial, industrial and distribution centres.

Explaining in detail Photovoltaics (Solar PV) and the advantages Solar Air Heating systems provide and how they can be adopted into the buildings M&E systems. As Low or Zero Carbon (LZC) technologies. LZC are discussed in Approved Document L 2010 (Part L).

In the guide we explore the CO₂ savings that can be made by using LZCs on a building and the effects of the Feed-In Tariff (FIT), Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), meeting UK Government legislation and how to achieve a profitable investment.

All Solar PV technology works on a similar principal. Thin layers of silicon are doped with positive and negative elements that form a junction where electrons flow when excited by solar radiation.

Regardless of the type of Solar PV technology, all Solar PV arrays work in the same way. Once installed, the Solar PV panels are connected in strings that are fed into an inverter to convert the direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC). AC is the standard form of grid-supplied electricity. All inverters work on 'positive pressure' which in simple terms means that any electricity generated by the Solar PV array will be 'pushed' to meet the existing electrical demand of the building before it is exported to the National Grid (if at all).

To read more on Solar PV technology, click here...

For more information on HyperionSolar PV, designed to be used on trapezoidal roofing profiles, click here.

For more information about EliosSolar PV, designed specifically for the River-Therm^® Roofing System, click here.

Large scale Solar PV instalations are common place through out Europe

Solar Air Heating Systems utilise solar radiation to deliver naturally warmed fresh air into buildings. With no moving parts, minimal energy running costs and minimal CO₂ emissions, the SolarWall^® Transpired Solar Collector (TSC) is one such technology that provides a truly renewable heat energy source with payback periods of as low as 3 years for new build and 7 years for refurbishment projects.

To read more on Solar Air Heating, click here...

For more information on SolarWall^®, Click here.

For more information on SolarDuct^®, Click here.

Solar Air Heating - SolarWall^® Transpired Solar Collector (TSC) in use