Large roof space for new solar energy – New Technology

The production of solar electricity and solar on our roofs can provide a total of 20 terawatt hours of energy a year – in 2050. The conclusion drawn by researchers based on the potential of a new study.

that there is a potential to assemble many more electricity-producing solar cells and heat-producing solar panels on the Swedish roofs are well known.

But now researchers at CIT Energy Management, a subsidiary of the Foundation Chalmers industrial Technology, based on how large the potential really is. The mission comes from the Swedish Energy Agency.

The consultants will until its investigation is that 132 million square meters of roof space can be used for solar cells, and 82, 5 million square meters of solar collectors.

– We have inventory of all roof surfaces. And then figured out sloped to the north, which has the wrong slope, and some obstructions like chimneys, balconies and other things, and seen that there is a good expansion potential, says Ms Wahlstrom, President of CIT Energy Management and responsible for the study.

Her calculations show that it is possible to get up to ten terawatt hours per year by 2050 in terms of both solar electricity and solar heat.

Energy production would then represent about ten percent of the estimated Swedish electricity use in 2050.

Ten percent solar energy is also the case that the industry organization Swedish solar power – and feels realistic.

– We compared our results with the case and concluded that it is perfectly possible . Their goal is perfectly reasonable, says Åsa Wahlström.

– As there are still 25 percent possible roof space left in reserve in our calculations. But to use the roof for other things as well, she says.

Solar-installations compete with the popular expansion of roofs with greenery, and with skylights and balconies, which lets light into the houses.

in addition, competing solar cells with solar collectors for consumers’, said Wahlstrom.

An important insight of the study is that the suitable roof surfaces often found on single-family homes, she points out.

– It is important information Energy Agency proposing and designing instruments.

the potential to expand solar energy in Sweden may actually be somewhat higher than expected, as a consultant company as a model not included the parking garage, carports and garage whose roof can also be used – if the overlooks in the right direction. For example, in Germany, both garages and barns.

When it comes to getting the economy in the transition to solar energy says Jan-Olof Dalenbäck, Professor of Building Technology at Chalmers, the state aid is still needed because of the Swedish low price of electricity .

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