BlueScope Steel raises the bar on integrated solar roof technology

Supported by a grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Emerging Renewables Program, BlueScope Steel will develop a low-cost building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system for Australian residential, commercial and industrial rooftops.

Despite the potential for rooftop solar to contribute to national energy requirements, BlueScope Steel’s market research shows that widespread uptake by Australian consumers has not yet eventuated. A recent reduction in government incentives has contributed to a drop-off in demand from the residential market, driven primarily by financial viability considerations.

BlueScope Steel considers that BIPV offers enormous advantages over conventional rooftop PV systems by reducing installation and energy costs and reducing peak energy demands placed on the grid.

“The aim of this project is to develop an integrated photovoltaic (PV) system that is reliable and affordable in the absence of government incentives,” said Dr Troy Coyle, Manager of Coated Products Development, BlueScope Steel Research.

“By optimising existing technologies, we believe that we can create a product that incorporates quality Australian steel, inverter technologies and leading international Generation 2 thin-film PV technologies as a cost-effective solution for consumers.”

According to Dr Coyle, significant cost reductions will be driven by improvements to PV modules, optimised roofing profiles, reduced packaging and transport, reduced building energy requirements and easy, low-cost installation.

BlueScope Steel will develop prototypes delivered in two stages. The first stage will adapt existing thin film and balance-of-system (BOS) technologies to deliver considerable cost and performance advantages. A PV thermal system will also be developed with a view to lower costs and improve the value proposition for BIPV. The second stage will introduce novel organic solar technologies and incorporate low-cost PV materials and manufacturing processes that, according to Dr Coyle, will have the potential to significantly transform the roofing and walling market.

“A sustainable market for rooftop PV will not only contribute to national energy generation and reduced levelised cost of electricity (LCOE), it will also be compatible with the grid and therefore reduce infrastructure and servicing costs,” said Dr Coyle. “No longer will people purchase roofing, they will purchase BIPV.”

The potential market both in Australia and internationally is considered to be large and growing. BCC research estimated the global BIPV market at 1201 MW in 2010 with expectations that it will increase at 56% compound growth to reach a capacity of 11,392 MW in 2015.