Ornate Solar Commissions India’s Largest Roof-Integrated Solar System

India now has its largest building integrated rooftop PV system or BIPV in Bhagru, Rajasthan, thanks to Ornate Solar, which commissioned it on June 22. The system is the chief roof over Canada-based natural stone manufacturing company, Pangaea Natural Stone Inc.

Ornate Solar asserts that the 530 kWp InRoof system is industry’s first universal structural solution capable of integrating panels of any shape and size and serve as a replacement to conventional metal roofs. It is expected to be ready for commercial release in the Indian market by December 2022, according to a release by the company.

Designed, engineered and manufactured in India, the system could provide stimulus to Pangaea to meet its Net Zero targets by offsetting 18,346 tonnes of CO2 emissions from the environment. Pangaea has  walked the path of sustainability by integrating photovoltaic panels as the chief roof over its newly constructed 35,000 sq. ft production facility. This initiative has helped save 124,968 kgs of CO2 emission.

The latest generation of MLPE Micro Inverters from Enphase Energy help power the Ornate InRoof system.  1175 of Canadian Solar’s High Efficiency Mono-PERC Solar panels serve the dual purpose of generating energy and acting as an integrated roofing element, replacing trapezoidal sheets.

The InRoof structure boasts of special-purpose roll formed continuous (SRFC) sections that are made from steel alloy resistant to corrosion and oxidation. Anodised Aluminum profiles are put to use in order to provide two-layered protection against water ingress. The release further stated that they are also used for the distribution of static loads of PV panels across building purlins.

Precision Engineered structural members have been used to build walkways and ridge profiles that enable seamless interlocking with the PV panels while also ensuring guarantee against water leakage. Designed with proprietary architecture, these InRoof systems accommodate 26% more solar panels as compared to traditional roof mounted systems. It is noteworthy that they generate over 4-8% more energy because of free air circulation which lowers module back sheet temperatures by up to 15 degrees C.

Ornate Solar has currently invested in the manufacturing of components at their production facility in New Delhi. A plug and play version of the InRoof system is also underway.

Other players offering integrated rooftop solar solutions include ATUM, from Hyderabad based Visaka Industries