Solar panels are very suitable for installing on FALK sandwich roof panels. And, thanks to their strong profiles, sandwich roof panels are ideal carriers!
FALK roof as a carrier for solar panels
Sandwich panels are excellent carriers for solar panels. This is because FALK insulated roofing panels – available with corrugated, trapezoidal and TR3+ profiles – have a robust profile and excellent strength.
Two sustainable systems
Large span
High insulation values
Sandwich panels available up to 25 linear meters
Application of integrated solar roof systems
The combination of solar panels and sandwich panels on a roof is widely used on large buildings, such as halls and stables, but also on houses. To see an example, check out the ‘68 zero-energy houses’ project in Oostvoorne, where a whole neighbourhood was renovated and all the roofs were fitted with a FALK solar roof. A quick, high-quality and sustainable solution!
Advantages of solar panels
Save money with solar panels! When energy prices are high, you can save a lot of money by generating your own electricity. An added benefit is that the payback period is short when energy prices are higher. Solar panels can be installed on flat roofs, pitched roofs and even on façades. In all three cases, sandwich panels can be used as carriers.
One advantage of installing solar panels on pitched roofs is that the panels do not have to be installed at an angle because the roof surface is already sloping. In the Netherlands, there are about 900 square kilometres of roofs suitable for installing solar panels. If solar panels were installed on 40% of these roofs, enough energy could be generated to supply the whole of the Netherlands with electricity.
Subsidies
Besides the fact that solar panels contribute to substantial savings in energy costs, there are also a great many subsidies that make them an attractive option. These are available for both private construction projects and larger projects, for example in the agricultural or utilities sector. Ask our sales team about the possibilities.
There are several types of solar panels on the market, the most common being monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film solar panels. So, what are the differences?
Monocrystalline panels are the oldest type of panel available. They contain around 40 monocrystalline solar cells and are black in colour. The cells are square shaped, and there is a small opening in the corners of the cells.
Polycrystalline solar panels are slightly newer and more efficient. They are blue in colour and have no openings between the corners of the cells.
Thin-film panels are a new development in the world of solar panels. They are extra thin and can be black or blue in colour.
Always seek advice from an accredited solar panel supplier. Solar panels should also be installed by an authorised company.
Solar panels are suitable for both new-build and renovation projects. These days, when a roof is being renovated, a combination of sandwich panels with solar panels mounted on them is increasingly becoming the preferred choice.
The ideal scenario would be for solar panels to be integrated into insulated roof panels so that everything could be installed in one go, but this is unfortunately not possible at the moment due to the different life cycles of the products. However, FALK is currently working on an innovation project to develop a practical solution.
Advantages of sandwich panels
Sandwich roof panels with HPS200 Ultra® coating come with a coating guarantee of up to 40 years, also when used in combination with solar panels. With quality like that, FALK integrated solar roof systems have many advantages!
High insulation values
Large span
Long life cycle
Available in lengths of up to 25 linear metres
Excellent strength
Excellent airtightness
The insulation value of the insulated roof panel is determined by its core thickness; the maximum RC value of a roofing panel is 7.07 m2K/W according to the NTA 8800.
Sustainability
By installing a solar panel on a sandwich panel, you are effectively investing in two sustainable systems; good insulation thanks to the sandwich panels, and cheaper renewable energy through the solar panels. Plus, FALK roof panels have high-quality characteristics that make them last for years, and they also come with a 10-year warranty. The warranty on the HPS200 Ultra® coating can even be as much as 40 years.
To really get the most out of a solar panel, we recommend that you clean it regularly. After all, dirty solar panels capture less sunlight. Leaves, bird droppings and dust are common causes of dirty panels. Cleaning the panels will allow them to capture more sunlight – and generate more energy!
Allimex Green Power inlay system
There are several ways to mount a solar panel on a sandwich-panel roof. FALK works closely with Allimex Green Power, which has developed a special ALLiN inlay system for this type of attachment to sandwich panels. A unique feature of using this inlay system on our panels is that it is certified for use on sandwich panels with a 0.50-mm-thick exterior skin. This test was carried out on our FALK 1100 TR3+ roof panel.
The benefits of an integrated solar roof system, in a nutshell:
Up to 40 years’ guarantee with the HPS200 Ultra® coating
No expiring warranty! The warranty provides 100% cover for the agreed period.
The Confidex warranty is offered directly to the customer by steel supplier TATA Steel.
The HPS Scintilla® motif is only 50 microns deep. Coatings with a leather motif, on the other hand, are as much as 100 microns deep. HPS is therefore self-cleaning, unlike many other coatings.
Very high corrosion resistance: RC5 due to the use of Galvalloy®.
In most circumstances, solar panels can be installed on FALK insulated roof panels, but this will depend on the chosen span of the panels and the substructure. Always seek professional advice in order to avoid any potential problems. Special brackets are available that can be mounted on our sandwich panels. For more information, visit our page on solar panels.
Do I need special screws to attach accessories to a carrier panel?
The type of screw you need depends on the application. Always ask the supplier of the accessory what type of screw is best to use. Screws vary greatly in terms of tensile strength. If you are unsure, please contact our technical advisors on +31 (0)318 670 670.
Is it possible to install solar panels on a flat roof with self-supporting sandwich panels?
Yes! Use our FALKULATOR to calculate the exact span of your project. If you need advice on mounting solar panels on sandwich panels, get in touch! We would be more than happy to talk you through your options.
