Keeping rooftops alive and beautiful...
The Solarspar association has been financing, building and operating solar systems for agriculture, industry, residential buildings and the public sector for 30 years. The association invests specifically in research projects for new applications in photovoltaics. Today we provide pilot projects for the optimisation of biodiversity in green roofs on solar roofs.
PV green roofs | Solarspar has been researching the further development of PV green roofs together with partner organisations for some time. For example, together with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW, we are testing bifacial solar panels installed on edge, which equalise electricity production throughout the day. Bifacial cells can utilise sunlight on both sides and thus generate electricity. If they are installed vertically, they generate more electricity in the morning and evening than conventionally mounted modules, but their yield decreases at midday due to their orientation. The vertical panels are mounted on specially planted flat roofs.
Wild bees and wood on the prop store of the Zurich Opera House | On a roof that had to be renovated because of asbestos, there was a good opportunity to realise one of the largest green solar roofs to date. With the aim of creating as diverse a space as possible, piles of wood, sand islands and a variety of microstructures were created. As a special feature, a solar lawnmower robot is being tested so that part of the maintenance can be automated.
More on this topic in the special issue ‘Biodiversity on solar roofs’
Solar energy in mountain regions | In order to achieve the energy transition, Switzerland must increase its electricity production from renewable sources. Solar plants in the mountains, which produce particularly efficiently in the winter months, could help to overcome this technical challenge. Solarspar has therefore put an innovative system into operation in Vals. In winter, the snow reflects solar radiation onto the vertical surfaces. Once the snow has melted, a similar effect comes into play: under the modules in Vals lies a white layer of gravel that reflects the sun's rays. In one year, Solarspar compares the production output with the conventional system on a neighbouring roof of the Vals mineral springs. It is important to measure how much of the additional production is due to the albedo effect in winter and summer. This allows long-term yield forecasts to be made and reliable statements to be made about the expansion of photovoltaics in Alpine regions.
More on the report ‘Solar energy in mountain regions’
A good resolution for 2025? Solarspar is an association with 15,000 members that emerged 25 years ago from a citizens' movement that even then aimed to help solar energy achieve a breakthrough. Today, the association generates around 7.5 gigawatt hours of solar power per year with almost 100 installations. Solarspar has been able to invest 20 million Swiss francs in active climate protection. Surpluses from production can now be invested in research projects.
