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UNDERSTANDING A TYPICAL BIOSOLAR SYSTEM
A biosolar roof combines green roof layers with a specialist solar mounting system to protect the building, support vegetation, and generate renewable energy. Each layer has a specific role, and the system only performs correctly when these layers work together as a coordinated build-up. This diagram shows a typical biosolar arrangement, with layer order and function explained below.
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1. The Roof
2. Protection Mat
3. Base Plate
4. Anchor Boards
5. Mount/Frame
6. Filter Fleece
7. Substrate
8. Vegetation
9. Solar Rail
10. Solar Panels
!. Important Note
1. THE ROOF (STRUCTUAL DECK & ROOFING)
The roof structure and waterproofing form the primary weather barrier of the building.
In biosolar systems, the waterproofing is usually root-resistant or protected by additional layers to prevent mechanical damage and long-term deterioration.
2. PROTECTION MAT / FLEECE LAYER
The protection fleece sits directly above the waterproofing.
Its role is to protect the waterproofing membrane from abrasion, point loading, and damage during installation and throughout the life of the system.
3. BASE PLATE OR BASE RAIL (SKI)
The base plate distributes loads from the solar mounting system across the roof surface without penetrating the waterproofing.
It provides a stable foundation onto which the mounting structure fits, helping manage wind uplift and system stability.
4. ANCHOR BOARDS
Anchor boards sit above the base plate and form part of the load-spreading and height-setting build-up.
The solar mounting system clips into the base plate through pre-cut slots in the anchor boards, allowing accurate positioning while maintaining separation between system layers.
5. MOUNT / FRAME
Mounts support the solar panels above the roof surface and form the vertical connection between the roof build-up and the solar rail system. In biosolar installations, mounts are designed to sit above the waterproofing layer and integrate with the green roof build-up, allowing loads to be safely distributed without penetrating the membrane.
6. FILTER FLEECE
The filter fleece prevents fine substrate particles from washing down into the drainage layer below.
This ensures long-term drainage performance and avoids blockages that could lead to waterlogging or reduced roof performance.
7. SUBSTRATE (GROWING MEDIUM)
The substrate provides the growing environment for vegetation and contributes to water retention, cooling, and biodiversity value.
Its depth, composition, and weight are design-specific and determined by wind load and ballast calculations. Substrate contributes to the ballast requirements of the solar mounting system.
8. VEGETATION (SEDUM / PLANTING)
Vegetation delivers biodiversity, rainwater attenuation, and microclimate cooling benefits.
In biosolar systems, planting is typically low-growing and selected to avoid shading the solar panels while thriving in partially shaded conditions.
9. SOLAR RAIL
Solar rails provide the horizontal structural framework onto which PV modules are fixed. They connect the mounts into a continuous, stable structure, transferring wind and dead loads evenly across the system. In biosolar installations, rails are typically designed to work with raised mounting arrangements, ensuring sufficient clearance for vegetation, drainage, and maintenance access beneath the panels.
10. SOLAR PANELS
The solar panels generate renewable electricity and are mounted above the vegetation using a non-penetrative support system.
The cooling effect of the green roof beneath can help reduce panel temperatures, supporting more efficient energy generation over time.
IMPORTANT NOTE
This illustration shows a typical biosolar build-up for learning purposes.
Component names, layer order, and fixing methods vary between manufacturers and must always follow the project-specific specification.
