Development and implementation of innovative solar installations

The overall goal of the project is to create new knowledge for how large, low-sloping roofs at northern latitudes can be used effectively for solar power production. The project will realize two concepts including mounting solutions which will endure critical wind and snow loads. The test facilities are supposed to provide a higher solar production than a conventional reference system and have a maximum snow-related production loss of 5 % on an annual basis. The investment calculation for at least one of the tested system designs must be more profitable than for a conventional system when calculating for a large-scale. The project is part of advancing the adaptation of PV installations to Nordic conditions.

In this project, we intend to develop numerical methods to calculate the strength of assembly solutions for the system designs, as well as test the solutions in a lab to finally realize the most promising designs in real test facilities. Through detailed follow-up and comparison with conventional installations, the project will lead to conclusions about the most suitable and most efficient designs of PV systems on large low-sloping roofs in snow-rich regions.

In Norrland, large industrial, logistics and commercial buildings are being built because of new establishments, expansion of existing businesses and relocation of entire city districts. However, solar installations on this type of building, which usually have basically flat roofs, have a major challenge in northern Sweden. The solar cell modules are up tilted 10 – 20 degrees and are conventionally mounted close to the roof, which means that snow cannot slide off the modules and accumulates during the winter. Only when the snow has melted the PV system start producing, and the potential production during a large part of the winter season is lost. The modules can also be exposed to heavy snow loads, which can cause damage. 

The overall goal of the project is to create new knowledge for how large, low-sloping roofs at northern latitudes can be used effectively for PV production. By utilizing this knowledge, the following long-term impact goals are expected to be achieved:

1. Solar installations on large low-sloping roofs in northern Sweden have a maximum snow-related production loss of 5 % on an annual basis.
2. A majority of large low-sloping roofs in northern Sweden, and which can withstand the weight of a solar cell installation, are used for electricity production.
3. Roof-mounted solar power plants in SE1 and SE2 must by 2040 contribute at least 3 TWh of electricity per year in the transition to a fossil-free energy system.