Blusecope builds steel roof with solar panels

Colorbond roofing relocating pre-painted steel sheet combined with thin film solar panels has been successfully tested and installed on a Sydney home. The new technology was launched last week by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

Manufacturer Bluescope has been researching and implementing the multi-million dollar project since 2012. Now these plans have reached an important milestone and have been demonstrated at houses in Gleb, where the roof of the house has been completely replaced with photovoltaic thermal systems. They are used for the production of electricity and heat and, in addition, they cool like an air conditioner. Such panels are especially interesting for owners of their own pools, since having a special pool pump in the kit they can provide water heating ...

Ivor Frishknecht, who is partially funded by the $ 5 million project, said that “This new integrated PV system has been designed to provide a low cost power system for Australian residential, commercial and industrial rooftops. These first installations are an important step as the technology moves towards commercialization and economic competitiveness with conventional roofs. "

The roof is specially designed for the climatic and building conditions of Australia. The new system will reduce energy costs through the use of improved roofing systems, providing additional heat production. Inverters convert electricity from sunlight into photovoltaic panels that can be used for electrical appliances.

Bluescope is currently working to reduce system costs by improving PV modules and roofing structures, reducing packaging and shipping costs, improving energy efficiency and making installation easier.