Solarcentury reveals new BIPV system that puts old-school solar in the shade

Sunstation set for mass-market thanks to high aesthetic appeal and price parity with traditional on-roof systems

Launching to installers today, Solarcentury introduces Sunstation, a new building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solar roof system designed to meet customer demand for beautiful solar yet at a price competitive with high quality on-roof systems. Sunstation has been designed with expert input from engineers, installers and architects. It is the result of Solarcentury’s extensive BIPV technical knowledge, together with feedback from installers, accrued over the last ten years since the launch of the company’s previous award-winning BIPV product.

Elegantly inconspicuous and beautifully designed, the sleek black Sunstation panels sit low to the roof battens so they’re completely flush with the roof. It is quick and easy to install because the system clicks together, there’s no unwieldy sub-frame and it comprises just seven elements; so it can be installed in a day. An average-sized Sunstation system comprises around half the number of parts required for a typical on-roof system.

Frans van den Heuvel, CEO at Solarcentury comments, “We have pioneered BIPV since the early days of solar; in 2005 we launched C21e, our range of BIPV solar tiles and slates that has already won numerous awards including the Queen’s award for Innovation. Now ten years on, and with huge technological improvements as the BIPV market matures, Sunstation sets the bar for what installers and consumers can expect from roof solar systems. It proves that residential solar can be easy to install, can look great on the roof and it’s affordable too.”

Sunstation is the first BIPV module available on the market that is manufactured on the main PV factory line, rather than assembled by hand; this, combined with its low part count, makes it cost competitive with on-roof solar systems.

Jon Sturgeon, Head of Product Development at Solarcentury explains, “Our research* tells us that 90% of installers believe there will be considerably more adoption of BIPV if the price matches on-roof systems. We also know that homeowners have always wanted a solar option that preserves the look of their roof. That’s why we have designed Sunstation using sleek black modules that sit completely flush with the roof. Now available without the premium price tag of other BIPV products, Sunstation is ready for mass-market adoption.”

Sunstation is tested and certified to the same industry standards as the roofing it will replace.

For more information visit www.gosunstation.com or contact Peter Vamplew on 0207 549 1000.

*Commissioned by Solarcentury, conducted by Deighton (Spring 2014). Polled 100 UK installers.