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Title
Where Renewable Energy Meets the Building Envelope - the Building Science Aspects of Photovoltaic Integration with Roof Systems
Where Renewable Energy Meets the Building Envelope - the Building Science Aspects of Photovoltaic Integration with Roof Systems
Date
9/2011
9/2011
Author(s)
James Katsaros
James Katsaros
Page(s)
Keyword(s)
photovoltaic installation; roof integration; building envelope building science; structural requirements; water intrusion
photovoltaic installation; roof integration; building envelope building science; structural requirements; water intrusion
Abstract
With the dramatic growth of the photovoltaic (PV) systems industry during the past decade, roof assemblies have become a key component in the drive toward renewableenergy production. Although this has led to exciting new opportunities for roofing contractors and installers to add substantial new value to their offerings, it also has led to numerous unexpected challenges and adverse effects, including deficient roof integration leading to building envelope failures (e.g., air and/or water infiltration); reduction in service life of a roof system; inadequate structural and wind loading assessment; and effects of flame spread. Given the PV industry’s sudden growth, many of these issues can be traced to not adopting clear and enforceable industry standard practices for this application, which would provide a baseline for a more robust, safe and effective integration between PV equipment and a roof assembly. However, the standardization process is catching up, with several new standard practices being developed by industry associations. This study evaluates the key building science considerations of PV roof integration through a detailed assessment of the critical structural components and interfaces along with a survey of standardized material and test requirements that exist for PV systems’ integration in various roof assemblies.
With the dramatic growth of the photovoltaic (PV) systems industry during the past decade, roof assemblies have become a key component in the drive toward renewableenergy production. Although this has led to exciting new opportunities for roofing contractors and installers to add substantial new value to their offerings, it also has led to numerous unexpected challenges and adverse effects, including deficient roof integration leading to building envelope failures (e.g., air and/or water infiltration); reduction in service life of a roof system; inadequate structural and wind loading assessment; and effects of flame spread. Given the PV industry’s sudden growth, many of these issues can be traced to not adopting clear and enforceable industry standard practices for this application, which would provide a baseline for a more robust, safe and effective integration between PV equipment and a roof assembly. However, the standardization process is catching up, with several new standard practices being developed by industry associations. This study evaluates the key building science considerations of PV roof integration through a detailed assessment of the critical structural components and interfaces along with a survey of standardized material and test requirements that exist for PV systems’ integration in various roof assemblies.