BIPV for Architects: Questions to Ask Before Specifying a Solar Roof
Before you specify a solar roof, pin down four things. Does the roof geometry suit the panel sizes? Do the documents your jurisdiction asks for actually exist? Is it clear who owns the roofing scope and who owns the electrical? And is there an installer who knows the system? Sort these out at schematic design and you avoid redrawing the roof later.
What to look at while the roof is still a sketch
Most of the trouble we see starts with a roof that was finished before anyone asked about the solar. So run through this while lines can still move.
- Orientation, pitch and the size of each roof plane
- Shade from trees, neighbours and the building's own massing
- Eaves, ridges, valleys and hips, and how panels end at each
- Vents, flues and skylights, and whether they can be grouped
- Snow, wind and other local design conditions the roof has to meet
- Cable routes from the roof down to the equipment
- Where the electrical equipment lives, and how it's ventilated
- Access for the install and for maintenance afterwards
Questions for whoever supplies the product
You want straight answers on the following, in writing where it matters.
- What are the panel dimensions, and what module does the layout have to follow?
- Which passive panels, flashings and trims come as part of the system?
- Which roof pitches and substrates do the installation instructions cover?
- What technical documents, test reports and approvals exist for this location?
- Which power electronics is the system designed to work with?
- Who warrants the roof, who warrants the electrical components, and on what terms?
Questions about getting it built
- Who draws the panel layout and who does the electrical design?
- Which trade installs the panels and which finishes the electrical work?
- Who handles permitting and the utility?
- What lead time should the construction schedule carry?
- Who does the owner call after handover?
A way to compare systems
| What you're judging | What to check |
|---|---|
| Fit with the architecture | Panel proportions, colour, seams, and how the edges are detailed |
| Fit with the roof | How much of each plane can be active once geometry and shade are accounted for |
| Documentation | Whether the documents your jurisdiction needs for approval exist |
| Buildability | Installer availability, sequencing with other trades, lead time |
| Responsibility | Who owns weathering, electrical performance and service |
How we work with design teams
Send us drawings and the project location. We'll go through the roof geometry with you, come back with a preliminary layout showing active and passive areas, and get you the technical documents you need for your submission. From there it's detail refinement and coordination with the roofing and electrical trades.
Best for
- Projects where the roof is a visible part of the design
- Teams that can coordinate roofing and electrical early
- Roofs with clear, repeating geometry
May not be best for
- Roofs made up mostly of small planes and penetrations
- Projects already past roof design
- Programmes with no time allowed for coordination
Questions we get asked
When should BIPV come into the design?
At concept or schematic stage, before roof geometry and penetrations are fixed.
Can I size the roof to suit the panels?
Yes, and it's worth doing. Lining roof dimensions up with the panel module gives you more active area and cleaner edges.
Which spec sections does it touch?
Normally roofing and electrical. Make sure each refers to the other and that someone is named as responsible for the interface.
What should I ask for first?
Product data, installation instructions and the approvals that apply in the project's jurisdiction.
Technical documents
We share technical documentation project by project. Tell us what you're working on and which documents you need.
Request Technical DocumentationKeep reading
Got a roof in mind?
Discuss a ProjectPublished by ArcEdge Power.