Urban dwelling demands your rooftops and balconies functional and uplifting. Diminishing public parks and natural spaces in cities like Karachi and Lahore led people to smartly utilize these underused spaces in their homes effectively. Green roofs and balcony gardens are a popular way to decorate roofs aesthetically and combat heat as well as improve air quality in homes. Though, in recent times, we have witnessed solar panels are replacing plants and green pots from roof to meet out residential energy demands. Many residents have removed green cover from their rooftops to make room for solar panels installations. However, there is no need to replace greenery from your rooftops just to accommodate solar panels. As, in a Solar Rooftop Garden not only both can coexist befittingly but also complement each other scientifically.
Rooftop Gardens with Solar Panels:
There is a perception that a roof can either have a green rooftop garden or solar panel infrastructure but not both. This is however not the case. Combining the two technologies is common in many countries in the world. Switzerland, Germany and Austria lead the way in the approach. It is unfortunate, our local architects are still hesitant and too often choose to separate the two technologies on a roof. But with pressure mounting to meet renewable energy targets and create resilient cities, green roofs with solar energy generation are surely part of a smart future for Pakistan urban as well as rural areas.
Rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and green rooftop gardens are two environmentally-friendly technologies that have experienced a steady rise in popularity in recent years. Having green rooftops with solar panels, not only can these two competitors co-exist, but the two technologies actually work together synergistically to boost each other’s performance. In the warmer summer months, this can mean up to a sizable boost in electricity production over traditional solar rooftops.
How Green Roofs enhance Solar Generation Capacity:
As solar panels heat up beyond 25°C, their efficiency decreases markedly. Green roofs moderate rooftop temperatures. The green roof reduces surface temperatures by up to 9.63°C for the solar panels and 6.93°C for the roof surfaces. This lowering of temperatures increased the maximum output of the solar panels by 21-107%, depending on the month.
On the other hand, the vegetation cover flourishes under or around solar panels. In a research, conducted by the University of Technology Sydney, plant growth was found fastest and healthiest in the areas immediately around the solar panels. Besides, the green roof supported much more biodiversity, as one might expect, as several species were found doubled in coverage. These results show we don’t have to choose between a green roof or a solar roof: we can combine the two and reap double the rewards.
Bio-solar Roofs are now Reality:
Green roofs and solar power – often referred to as Bio-solar roofs – is smart green infrastructure. They reduce energy bills, boost property values and are attractions for residents and visitors alike. Also, the greenery improves the overall aesthetics of the solar array. In conclusion…stop wasting your roof! Solar Rooftop Gardens provide ample opportunity to get creative in how you maximize the utility of your homes.
By
Editorial, Infocus
