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Solex
solar roofing is an alternative to conventional roofing materials
when constructing a roof. It provides an output of solar heated
water, which may be used for hot water, space heating, pool heating
or any other water heating application.
There
are numerous benefits to incorporating solar heating technology
in a roofing material, including: |
• Aesthetically pleasing roofs with clean lines
• Low m2 cost compared to traditional solar
panels
• Conventional building material costs offset2
• Provides for large solar collecting areas with large
CO2 savings
Our
solar roofing materials are compatible with conventional natural
and manufactured roofing materials. They may be installed:
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To the extremities of a roof, or
• As a strip or patch surrounded by other roofing materials
The
solar roofing consists of transparent roof tiles or slates made
of toughened glass or unbreakable polycarbonate. This transparent
layer overlies the solar absorbers, which are laid on the roof
structure. The roof structure itself is completely conventional,
and the solar roofing imposes no increased load on the building.
It also takes up no additional space on the roof, or in the loft-space.
Design
The roof to be covered should face between SE and SW, with south
facing being ideal. The optimum pitch is between 30o
and 50o for year round performance. For domestic systems,
an area of 8m2 is adequate for providing 70-80% of
the annual hot water requirement of an average household. Areas
of 15-20m2 upwards will make a significant contribution
to both water heating and central heating costs. Pool heating
and industrial heating are other applications for our roofing
systems.
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| The
visual effect of the finished roof is a uniform medium to light
grey, a combination of the reflection from the surface and the black
colour of the absorber panels which lie beneath. Planning authorities
have welcomed these roofs as a more aesthetically pleasing alternative
to solar panels. |
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Operation
The
sun shines through the transparent roof covering onto the solar
absorber panels, which become hot. The heat is conducted to the
pipe which runs along the back of the panels, which contains a water/antifreeze
mixture. The fluid is circulated in a closed
circuit through the panels by a solar pump and controller unit which
transfers the heat through pipes to the hot water cylinder or heating
system where it is required.
The absorbers are backed with heat resistant foam insulation, which
has the advantages of keeping the panels hot, whilst also insulating
the roof space. |
Installation
Skills
A plumber should carry out the installation of the solar absorbers,
as well as installing the pump/controller unit and the pipe work.
A roofer should carry out the installation of the solar roof tiles.
We have comprehensive installation guides, which enable trades-people
with little previous knowledge of solar heating to install these
systems. |
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Products
Solex Energy produces several solar roofing products to suit different
applications and roof styles:
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SOLAR
SLATES >
These are glass double lap solar slates, which are directly compatible
with traditional 500 and 600mm high (20” and 24”) size
slates. They are installed onto a normal felted and battened roof
structure, as a patch within natural slates or across the whole
roof. |
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NU-LOK
SLATES >
These are glass single lap slates which use a unique metal battening
system. The glass slates are compatible with Nu-Lok ceramic and
natural slates, and also with Nu-lok PV slates. This system has
a low labour requirement, and is ideal where the remainder of the
roof is also roofed with the Nu-lok system. |
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SOLAR
TILES >
These polycarbonate single lap tiles are compatible with Marley
Modern/Redland Mini-stonewold concrete tiles. They are ideal for
fitting into an existing concrete tiled roof.
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SOLAR
CLADDING >
This is a lightweight solar cladding system for use over existing
profile metal roofing. Ideal for industrial applications, it utilises
existing roof insulation for low imposed weight, low cost, high
output heating systems.
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PDF
brochure