Study finds green roofs make solar panels more efficient

The positive impact of enhancing typical solar panel installations with green roofs has been confirmed by the results of Australia’s most comprehensive study, which shows benefits across energy savings, CO₂ reduction and a significant increase in biodiversity.

Undertaken in Barangaroo, the study compared the conventional photovoltaic (PV) solar system on International House with a combined PV solar and integrated Junglefy green roof system (biosolar roof) on Daramu House over the course of eight-months.

The project, led by University of Technology Sydney researchers and supported by Lendlease and Junglefy, aimed to solidify the benefits of green roofs in cities by comparing the outcomes of biodiversity, renewable energy efficiency, temperature reduction and other variables between the conventional solar system roof and the integrated PV solar green roof.

Key findings include:

• Confirmation that the integrated green roof and solar PV system improved solar energy output by 3.6 per cent, or 9.5 MWh of additional energy generation. This equates to $2,595 worth of energy generation over the course of the project.
• The green roof removed an additional 8.8 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gasses compared to the standard roof solar panels, the equivalent of planting 110 trees.
• Surface temperatures were greatly reduced on the green roof – in some cases by up to 20°C during Summer, suggesting a potential reduction in urban heat island effects. Insulation was another benefit of the integrated system, preventing heat transferring inside the building as well as retaining heat in cooler periods.
• Animals thrived on the green roof, with insect and bird life increasing seven and fourfold, respectively. Species recorded include the native Australian Blue Banded bee, Australian stingless bees, as well as Spotted Doves and Australian Ravens. The possible presence of predatory birds also suggests the roof may be supporting complex food web systems.
• Stormwater modelling on both roofs showed the biosolar roof could reduce flows into the stormwater drains by more than 600 litres per second compared to the conventional roof, which could reduce the impacts of flooding during storm events, particularly where climate instability is leading to longer, drier periods and more intense storm events.
• The integrated green roof solar PV system outperformed the conventional solar PV system, confirming that green infrastructure is perhaps one the easiest and most efficient initiatives that can provide multiple benefits and help make our cities more resilient to our changing climate.

The research was made possible through the City of Sydney’s Innovation Grant program, which funds projects with the focus of making Sydney a greener, more sustainable city.

Read the full report here. 
Read the ABC news story here


Lucy Sharman, Lendlease Sustainability Manager on the biosolar roof at Daramu House 
(image courtesy: ABC NEWS)

Lendlease Sustainability Manager Lucy Sharman said: “The integration of greenery into our urban environments is vital to creating more liveable cities - that can mitigate the impacts of our changing climate.

This research has made a valuable contribution to our understanding of the multiple, measurable benefits of green roofs. We hope this extremely positive collaboration between industry, researchers and government inspires other organisations to look at the benefits of biosolar systems.”

Visit www.lendlease.com/missionzero and learn more about the steps Lendlease is taking on climate action and our progress so far.