#solar panels on roof

[cheeseukeikeu]

Craftsman Landscape in Boston Photo of a small craftsman full sun front yard stone landscaping in summer.

[forthediscerningfew]

Roofing - Flat Ideas for a sizable contemporary beige two-story adobe remodel with a flat roof

[reasonsforhope]

"As solar panels heat up beyond 25°C, their efficiency decreases markedly. Green roofs moderate rooftop temperatures. So we wanted to find out: could green roofs help with the problem of heat reducing the output of solar panels?

Our research compared a “biosolar” green roof — one that combines a solar system with a green roof — and a comparable conventional roof with an equivalent solar system. We measured the impacts on biodiversity and solar output, as well as how the plants coped with having panels installed above them.

The green roof supported much more biodiversity, as one might expect. By reducing average maximum temperatures by about 8°C, it increased solar generation by as much as 107% during peak periods. And while some plant species outperformed others, the vegetation flourished.

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...

How did the panels affect the plants?

In the open areas, we observed minimal changes in the vegetation cover over the study period compared to the initial planted community.

Plant growth was fastest and healthiest in the areas immediately around the solar panels. Several species doubled in coverage. We selected fast-growing vegetation for this section to achieve full coverage of the green roof beds as soon as possible.

The vegetation changed the most in the areas directly below and surrounding the solar panels. The Baby Sun Rose, Aptenia cordifolia, emerged as the dominant plant. It occupied most of the space beneath and surrounding the solar panels, despite having been planted in relatively low densities.

This was surprising: it was not expected the plants would prefer the shaded areas under the panels to the open areas. This shows that shading by solar panels will not prevent the growth of full and healthy roof gardens.

What were the biodiversity impacts?

We used environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys to compare biodiversity on the green roof and conventional roof. Water run-off samples were collected from both roofs and processed on site using portable citizen scientist eDNA sampling equipment to detect traces of DNA shed by the species on the roof.

The eDNA surveys detected a diverse range of species. These included some species (such as algae and fungi) that are not easily detected using other survey methods. The results confirmed the presence of bird species recorded by the cameras but also showed other visiting bird species went undetected by the cameras.

Overall, the green roof supported four times as many species of birds, over seven times as many arthropods such as insects, spiders and millipedes, and twice as many snail and slug species as the conventional roof. There was many times the diversity of microorganisms such as algae and fungi.

Encouragingly, the green roof attracted species unexpected in the city. They included blue-banded bees (Amegilla cingulata) and metallic shield bugs (Scutiphora pedicellata).

How did the green roof alter temperatures?

The green roof reduced surface temperatures by up to 9.63°C for the solar panels and 6.93°C for the roof surfaces. An 8°C reduction in average peak temperature on the green roof would result in substantial heating and cooling energy savings inside the building.

This lowering of temperatures increased the maximum output of the solar panels by 21-107%, depending on the month. Performance modelling indicates an extensive green roof in central Sydney can, on average, produce 4.5% more electricity at any given light level.

These results show we don’t have to choose between a green roof or a solar roof. We can combine them to take advantage of the many benefits of biosolar green roofs.

Biosolar roofs can help get cities to net zero

The next step is to design green roofs and their plantings specifically to enhance biodiversity. Green roofs and other green infrastructure may alter urban wildlife’s activities and could eventually attract non-urban species.

Our green roof also decreased stormwater runoff, removed a range of run-off pollutants and insulated the building from extremes of temperature. A relatively inexpensive system provides all of these services with moderate maintenance and, best of all, zero energy inputs.

Clearly, biosolar green roofs could make major contributions to net-zero cities. And all that’s needed is space that currently has no other use."

-via GoodGoodGood, May 12, 2024

[achievementthunter]

Flat in Albuquerque

[fraservalleysolar]

What are Solar Panels on Roofs and How Does it Work?

A solar panel on a roof is a photovoltaic panel that is used to generate electricity by converting sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. 

Solar panels are made up of an array of solar cells, which are connected. Solar cells are made of semiconductor materials, such as silicon, that absorb sunlight and convert it into DC electricity. 

Solar panels are mounted on a roof and angled so that they can capture the most sunlight possible. They are usually installed in an array, with each solar panel in the array connected to the others. 

The DC electricity generated by the solar panels is then converted into alternating current (AC) electricity by an inverter. AC electricity is the type of electricity that is used in homes and businesses. 

The AC electricity is then sent to the electrical grid, where it can be used by consumers. Solar panels on roof can generate electricity for a home or business, and can also be used to power street lights, traffic lights, and other public infrastructure. 

Solar panels on roofs can also be used to generate heat for a home or business. Solar thermal panels are used to capture the sun's heat and convert it into thermal energy, which can be used to heat water or air. Solar thermal panels can also be used to generate electricity, but they are less efficient at doing so than solar PV panels.

What are the Benefits of Rooftop Solar Panels?

There are many benefits to rooftop solar panels, including reducing your carbon footprint, saving money on your energy bill, and increasing the value of your home. Solar panels can also help to reduce your dependence on the grid, providing you with a backup power source in case of an outage. 

Solar panels are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, as they allow you to generate clean energy. Solar panels also save you money on your energy bill, as you will no longer have to purchase energy from your utility company. Additionally, solar panels increase the value of your home, as they are a desirable amenity for many homebuyers. 

Lastly, solar panels can provide you with a backup power source in case of an outage. This is especially beneficial if you live in an area that is prone to power outages. If your solar panels are connected to the grid, you will be able to sell any excess energy that you generate back to the utility company.

How to Install a Rooftop Solar Panel in 5 Steps

1. Determine the location of the solar panel. The solar panel should be mounted in a location that receives direct sunlight for at least six hours a day.

2. Drill four holes in the roof where the solar panel will be mounted. These holes should be spaced evenly across the width of the solar panel.

3. Place the solar panel on the roof and align the holes with the holes that were drilled in the roof.

4. Run the bolts through the holes and tighten them to secure the solar panel to the roof.

5. Connect the solar panel to the electrical system of the RV using the wiring that came with the solar panel.

What are the Considerations to Make before Installing a Solar Panel?

There are a few key considerations to make before installing solar panels. First, you'll need to determine if your home or business is a good candidate for solar. This includes factors like roof type, sun exposure, and shade. Next, you'll need to calculate the potential savings and ROI of installing solar panels. Finally, you'll need to find a reputable installer who can help you through the process. 

1. Is your home or business a good candidate for solar? 

-Roof type: Solar panels can be installed on most types of roofs, but some are better suited than others. For example, solar panels work well on south-facing roofs that are free of shade. 

-Sun exposure: The more sun your roof gets, the more electricity your solar panels will produce. 

-Shade: Shade from trees, buildings, or other objects can reduce the amount of electricity your solar panels produce. 

2. What are the potential savings and ROI of installing solar panels? 

-Solar panels can save you money on your electricity bills and may increase the value of your home. 

-The ROI of solar panels varies depending on factors like the cost of installation, the amount of sun exposure, and local utility rates. 

3. Who will install your solar panels? 

-It's important to find a reputable solar installer who can help you through the process. 

-You'll want to compare quotes from multiple installers and ask about their experience, warranty, and customer service. 

How Much Do Rooftop Solar Panels Cost?

Solar panel costs have dropped significantly in recent years, making them a more affordable option for homeowners. The average cost of rooftop solar panels is about $3 per watt, and the average system size is 6 kilowatts (kW), so the average cost of a rooftop solar panel system is about $18,000.

How to Clean Solar Panels with a DIY Solution

Solar panels are great for the environment and your wallet, but they can become dirty and lose their efficiency over time.

Luckily, you can clean your solar panels with a simple DIY solution.

What You Will Need

– A bucket

– A hose with a spray nozzle

– White vinegar

– Baking soda

– A soft-bristled brush

Step One

Start by filling your bucket with one part white vinegar and one part water.

Step Two

Next, use your hose to wet down your solar panels. Be sure to use a gentle spray so you don’t damage the panels.

Step Three

Once the panels are wet, sprinkle baking soda on them and let them sit for a few minutes.

Step Four

After a few minutes have passed, use your soft-bristled brush to scrub the panels in a circular motion.

Step Five

Once you’ve scrubbed the panels, use your hose to rinse them off.

Step Six

Finally, use a clean cloth to dry the panels.

That’s it! Your solar panels should now be clean and ready to produce energy.

Why Cleaning Solar Panels is Important

Solar panels are expensive and they could last for as long as 20 years if they are well taken care of. Solar panels are subject to the same environmental conditions as any other piece of equipment is subject to. The only difference is that solar panels are mounted outside, exposed to the elements, which means they are more likely to be damaged by the elements. This is why it is important to keep them clean and free of any dirt and debris.

Solar panel cleaning is important because it helps to prevent the degradation of the solar panel’s efficiency. This is because dirt or debris that is left on the solar panel’s surface can block sunlight from reaching the solar cells. Over time, this can lead to a decrease in the amount of electricity that the solar panel produces. In addition, dirt and debris can also cause the solar panel’s surface to become scratched, which will affect its ability to produce electricity.

Abbotsford Solar Installation

36092B Regal Pkwy, Abbotsford, BC V3G 1L1

778-652-4058

[uwmspeccoll]

A Crow Circus Feathursday

Extra! Extra! Read all about it: Crow slides down solar panel in daring feat at death-defying speeds!

Okay, so the crow may not have reached death-defying speeds and perhaps did more of a gentle slide down the solar panel on our green roof! But! We finally caught it on video! For years we have seen the campus crows eat bugs on the roof, strut about, caw at each other aggressively, and yes, occasionally, as a treat, slide down the solar panels.

Please turn the sound up if you want to hear our Head of Special Collections, Max Yela, cheering on the crow, and me, Alice, cheer in glee when it does, in fact, slide down the panel.

Happy crowsday to all, and to all a crows night!

-- Alice, Special Collections Department Manager

[beardedmrbean]

A few hundred metres above the commune of Cruis, in the Alpes-de-Hautes-Provence region, Sylvie Bitterlin, a 62-year-old actress, stands in front of the security fence of a brand-new solar farm.

“Look, they've destroyed everything,” she says.

On the 17-hectare site, the garrigue or scrubland of Provence has been replaced by several thousand solar panels.

The project has been under construction for several months and is nearly finished. According to the operator, Boralex, a Canadian renewable energy company, the site will generate 14.9 megawatt-peak hours of electricity, enough to power a community of 12,000 residents.

Boralex’s managing director, Jean-Christophe Paupe, claims the park makes “an indispensable contribution ... at a time when France is lagging behind in the development of renewable energies”.

But as the project nears completion, Bitterlin makes no secret of her frustration and anger.

Since 2019, she and about twenty other members of the local citizens group Elzéard, Lure en résistance have been fighting tooth and nail to prevent the plant from going ahead.

They say the solar park, partly installed in an area classified as a “biosphere reserve” by UNESCO, will endanger several protected species and their habitat.

Alexanor butterfly and ocellated lizard

“We're told that Provence has poor soil, that there's nothing in it. But this is totally false. We have medicinal plants, thyme, rosemary, orchids ... These are fantastic plants, home to protected species. It's all about life,” says Bitterlin, who has become the movement's spokeswoman.

“Before, this landscape stretched all the way to the top of the mountain,” she says, against the backdrop of the picture-postcard setting of the 1,826-metre-high Montagne de Lure.  “What destruction! What a disaster! Where's the ecology when we raze forests and destroy biodiversity to produce energy?”

According to Pierrot Pantel of the Association Nationale pour la Biodiversité (ANB), who took up the case on behalf of the Elzéard collective, 88 animal species have been recorded in the area.

These include several protected species of birds, butterflies such as the Alexanor, with its yellow and black wings, and lizards such as the ocellated lizard – the largest in Europe. “Many animals will have fled their habitat or will have died during the construction work,” he says.

Boralex insists that the project, officially launched in 2009, is the result of “more than five years of environmental and landscape studies, in partnership with the French government”, and that “everything possible has been done” to protect biodiversity.

“Initially, the park was designed to cover several dozen hectares, but its size was reduced to take account of this issue,” explains Paupe.

“And we have put in place a whole series of measures to preserve species: we have adapted our work periods, set up biodiversity corridors, restored habitats,” he says.

But opponents of the solar farm decry these measures as inadequate and say they are just “smoke and mirrors”.

In an area known for its biodiversity, a few "ecological corridors" won’t compensate for the damage caused by building the site, they say.

'An example of what needs to be done in the EU'

Paupe says that the farm "aligns perfectly with French and European ambitions for energy transition” and is “essential in the fight against global warming”.

“What's more dangerous for biodiversity: climate disruption or photovoltaic panels?” he quips.

Indeed, the European Green Deal's overarching aim is to make the EU the world's first "climate neutral bloc" by 2050. 

The EU is therefore aiming to massively accelerate the development of renewable energy in a bid to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, which are the main cause of climate change.

Under the terms of the deal, renewable energies will account for 42.5% of the energy mix by 2030, up from 23% in 2022. France shares this aspiration and passed a law to accelerate the production of renewable energy in March 2023.

But Paupe argues that "this ambition is only achievable if we agree to develop large-scale projects, like the one at Cruis", drawing on studies carried out by RTE, France's electricity transmission company.

“Today, we can't be satisfied with solar panels on the roofs of houses and in areas that are already industrialised. Of course we need solar panels in these places too. But that won't be enough.”

Boralex says there were good reasons for selecting the Lure mountain area for the solar park.

“The PACA region has a lot of sunshine and strong photovoltaic potential. However, it currently imports a large proportion of its electricity. The Cruis power plant therefore helps to resolve this paradoxical situation,” he continues. “In short, it's an example of what needs to be developed across the European Union to move away from fossil fuels. But it will take multiple projects like this one to get there.”

Apart from the arguments put forward by Boralex, projects like this one also provide significant funds for the municipalities concerned.

In Cruis, revenues generated by the solar plant make up 20% of the municipal budget, according to mayor Félix Moroso.

“Over the past two years, it has enabled us to renovate a parking lot, start work on the school and reintroduce aid for disadvantaged groups,” says Moroso, who has been the mayor of the village of 700 inhabitants for 35 years.

“All this at the cost of photovoltaic panels on 1% of our commune”, he adds, expressing annoyance at the actions of the park’s opponents.

But Bitterlin says the project is “not the solution. We're razing forests to put up photovoltaic panels. We're caught in a paradox."

“The first thing to do is to reduce our consumption. If we really adopted more sober lifestyles, would we still need these huge power plants in natural environments?”

“The problem with these parks is their giant size. We wouldn't be against reasonable photovoltaic projects, in line with the needs of the population,” she says. “Unfortunately, we've adopted the financial logic of companies and communes that seem to simply want to make money.”

Months of mobilisation

The situation in Cruis became particularly tense in September 2023 when construction began. “We'd spent years trying to alert and educate the population, to no avail. So when we saw the construction equipment arriving on the mountain to destroy everything, we decided to take action," Bitterlin noted.

For weeks, and in all weathers, Bitterlin and the other activists tried almost daily to block the construction site.

“Never in my life did I think I'd ever chain myself to construction machinery, get under its wheels or climb trees to block work,” said Bitterlin, who says she’s never been the rebellious type. “But the cause was too important,” she says.

On October 4, 2023, Bitterlin and fellow activist Claudine Clovis, 72, were arrested by gendarmes as they lay under the wheels of earth-moving machinery.

They were taken into custody and detained overnight. They were eventually found guilty of obstructing traffic in February 2024 by the criminal court in Digne-les-Bains and sentenced to a suspended fine of €1,200 and a three-month suspension of their driving licenses. The two defendants will also jointly pay €5,000 towards Boralex's legal costs.

Although they have decided to appeal the decision, their arrest put a stop to their campaigning. “We had to keep a low profile and, above all, Boralex stepped up its surveillance,” Bitterlin says. “And, frankly, we were exhausted both physically and morally by those weeks of fighting.”

But the Elzéard group has not given up entirely. Although no one is currently physically blockading the Cruis solar plant, the activists have taken their fight to the courts, with legal assistance from Pantel and ANB.

Over the past four years, the collective – with support from a dozen other environmental groups – has filed three complaints with the Digne public prosecutor for “destruction, alteration and degradation of the habitat of protected animal species” and “undermining the conservation of protected animal species”. According to Pantel, Boralex had in fact begun work on the plant before obtaining all the necessary permits.

A victory in court

In a big win for the activists, on Friday May 31, Boralex and the French government were found to be at fault by the Marseille Administrative Court of Appeal for failing to find an alternative site which would have had less impact on biodiversity.

The administrative judges found in favour of the collective, whose complaint had been dismissed by the court of first instance. The complaint challenged an order issued in 2020 by the Prefect of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, granting Boralex an exemption from the prohibition on destruction, intentional disturbance or degradation of specimens and habitats of protected animal species.

“It's a great victory. The site is now considered illegal. Work will have to stop and the site cannot be exploited for the time being," says Pantel. “It also legitimises our actions and the disruption to the site – which is important for the Sylvie Bitterlin and Claudine Clovis trial. Finally, it's educational: this judgment shows that you can't destroy a natural habitat with impunity.”

Anticipating that Boralex will take this judgment to the Conseil d'État, the highest court of appeal, Pantel now hopes to reach a final ruling. “We will then go and demand restoration of the site, recognition of the ecological damage and we'll try to question the State's responsibility.”

For its part, however, Boralex believes that the cancellation of this protected species exemption “does not call into question Boralex's right to operate the Cruis solar power plant, nor does it call into question our presence on the site or the finishing work on the plant, which is not affected by this protected species exemption”, the company told AFP.

“This judgment also legitimises our future actions,” says Pantel. Aside from Cruis, some thirty photovoltaic projects are currently under way on the Lure mountain, eventually covering a thousand hectares, according to Pantel’s estimate.

“And we intend to prevent as many as we can,” adds Bitterlin.

A network of sentinels

One of the activists’ new battlegrounds lies a few kilometres from Cruis, in the commune of Montfort. Some 20 hectares have already been cleared.

In January, construction equipment levelled the pines and oaks and soon earth-moving machines will install a new photovoltaic park, operated by Engie Green. It will be the fourth park in this commune of 300 inhabitants.

“We weren't informed when the work started. We arrived too late to prevent the felling of the trees," says Bitterlin.

At the end of May, accompanied by her friend Véronique, also an activist, they came to see the progress of the site. “We were worried about seeing earth-moving equipment,” they say.

With a tape measure in hand, they walked around the site with one objective in mind: to check that Engie Green was complying with all regulations. Cut down a protected tree? Destroy the habitat of a protected species? An information panel removed? Everything is carefully examined. But today, everything seems to be in order.

“We won't be demonstrating here, and we won't be obstructing the work. In any case, it's already too late – once the clearing is done, there's not much left to defend,” they say.

“But we remain vigilant to strict compliance with the rules and are putting our energy into other projects.”

A few kilometres away, in the commune of Banon, Sophie and Nadine keep watch on the areas affected by other solar projects, including one led by a Korean company, QEnergy.

Aged 64 and 72 respectively, the two pensioners admit to being “constantly on the lookout”, “tracking down the slightest noise of construction work” to “check that building work isn’t starting”.

“I go walking in the area every day anyway,” explains Sophie. “Here, at certain times of the year, you can hear deer snorting. It's an incredible natural place. It can't disappear,” she says.

In her large garden with a totally unobstructed view of the surrounding countryside, she says she’s proud of having her own photovoltaic panels, but “only those necessary for her personal electricity consumption”.

“Do we really need to develop large-scale power plants? Isn't the solution first and foremost to take stock of our energy use?” she asks, echoing opponents of such projects in France.

“It's really the multiplication of these projects that's worrying. Are we really going to punch holes in the mountain from all sides?” asks Nadine.

“In addition to biodiversity, we're also touching on a whole literary heritage, the mountain so dear to Jean Giono!” she warns, referring to the writer who drew such inspiration from the Lure mountain. 

The Green Deal was a central feature of outgoing EU president Ursula Von der Leyen's last term of office, and a new parliament will be formed after European elections on June 9.

Bitterlin said she hopes that the issue of solar parks in environmentally sensitive areas will be taken up by candidates for the new EU parliament.

“We've succeeded in making Cruis a symbol of our campaign,” she says, adding that what matters now is to prevent other environmentally disruptive projects from being built.

[catgirlsnackies]

Solarpunk is like, a weird utopian fetish for libs istg. Every post involves fucking up a perfectly good habitat to fill it with as many solar panels as it takes for these people to cum. Does anybody really look at these futuristic panel-filled cities and think "it'd be great if potholes needed an electrician to fix and was also more expensive" before posting that article of scientists telling everybody clean energy is real. Despite solar panels being made with slave labour and shit :/

[ocdhuacheng]

Could you imagine how amazing it would be if we were allowed to use even a fraction of the police and military budget for infrastructure environmental and social welfare purposes

[lovedlovingly]

being a homeowner(apartment owner) is so stressful 😭 like I pay rent to the homeowner association in my block and they use the rent for upkeep and they just cleaned out my pipes(every spring theres something new) but informed me that if there's ever a leak they'll pay for drying and removing the damaged part but if I want a new bathroom or kitchen or whatever, it's from my pocket 🥲 but they fixed my kitchen pipes 💗 so wahoo!!!! i either wanna change out the sink & counter(I like my cupboards) or just move to my dream home sksndndnd I hate the sink I have now 🥰 but since I own the apartment I'm like??? I'm allowed to??? just change it??? INSANE CONCEPT! and I might even have the budget for it 😭😭😭😭(too scared to check because if it's true I might jump on it instantly)

[sillymacaronic]

Loving the summer vibes ☀️❤️

[enniewritesathing]

I think I'm finished with the house, lol. I may not know how to landscape worth anything but I can throw 'areas' in there if the lot's big enough.

Brian's got his greenhouse, John's got his meditation place, there's the pool; Were!John's hammock. I put a hot springs in the back corner and a rock pond on the other. Did it need to be there? Not really, but it looks nice.

[aiiaiiiyo]

[magnusjoblog]

Solceller monteras på Gärdhems-Lunden Björkelund 450W paneler

[vampacidic]

ohhhhh to be a little catgirl. lay in the sun all day. twitch my little ears. swish my little tail. purr. have little claws i just trim regularly. perhaps little paw pads....

[tangiblesolar]

How Much Does A Solar Panel Weight?

How much does a solar panel weigh? As people learn more about climate change, more and more of them are using eco-friendly products and alternative energy sources to reduce the amount of carbon they put into the air. You have probably noticed a lot of homes installing solar panels on their roofs for this reason. You won’t know how huge or hefty such items can be unless you climb up on their…