Elevate your project with the Oasis Biosolar roof: solar energy, sustainability and biodiversity in urban design
The Oasis Biosolar solution represents a significant advance for the integration of sustainable technologies in urban architecture, offering an effective response to the challenges of sustainable cities and the new requirements of legislation on solar energy, rainwater management and biodiversity.
With simple implementation and no need to drill or glue onto the waterproofing membrane, this solution is ready to be implemented in a wide range of projects, marking the beginning of a new era in sustainable construction.
A French consortium has developed a rooftop solution that integrates solar generation, energy storage, stormwater management and vegetation protection.
Solution Development
After a decade of research and development, Le Prieuré and IRFTS, a French supplier of photovoltaic mounting systems, introduced the Oasis Biosolar solution to the market.
This hydroactive roof, certified according to the Enquête Technique Nouvelle (ETN) standard by Alpes Contrôles and Sud-Est Prévention, is an innovative system that not only effectively manages rainwater, but also incorporates a protected space for vegetation under the photovoltaic modules. .
Innovation and Performance
The key to this solution lies in its ability to increase solar energy generation by more than 10% thanks to the vegetation located under the panels. This vegetation uses evapotranspiration to cool the panels, thus improving their performance in high heat conditions. Oasis Biosolar integrates Oasis' patented rainwater management system, storing excess rainwater and using capillary wicks to water plants.
Furthermore, IRFTS designed a system of rails and supports for installing various photovoltaic panels directly on “hydrostock” containers.
Understand how the solar energy system and other integrated technologies work
- Bacs + Hydrostock™: These containers are placed directly on the roof waterproofing membrane and connect to each other, allowing water to pass through. Storing up to 52 liters of water per square meter, they create an artificial aquifer layer under the roof that serves as a water reserve for vegetation.
- Regulator + Flow Control: This patented innovation regulates the flow of collected rainwater, ensuring uniform distribution through double filtration. It operates with a constant microflow and prevents blockages, ensuring that water is available to plants efficiently.
- Irig'Up: They allow the water stored in the Hydrostock bacs to rise by capillarity to the substrate and plants, facilitating natural sub-irrigation that keeps the vegetation hydrated without manual intervention.
- Water Distribution Nappe: Located between the Irig'Up wicks and the substrate, this layer ensures uniform distribution of water, allowing its homogeneous diffusion throughout the entire vegetation complex.
- “Module” plate: Placed on the Hydrostock bacs, this plate supports significant loads and efforts, serving as a base for the rails and photovoltaic panel supports, as well as for the vegetation substrate. It has openings designed for water drainage and capillarity.
- The Substrate: Specially developed to promote plant growth, the substrate facilitates the evaporation of stored water, contributing to the cooling of the photovoltaic panels located above.
- Vegetation: The selection of plants adapts to the specific requirements of each project, prioritizing low-maintenance species that benefit from the shade of the panels, contributing to biodiversity and system efficiency.
- Fijaciones (Rail + Pies): Aluminum rails and adjustable brackets allow precise and safe installation of photovoltaic panels without affecting the roof's waterproofing membrane.
- Photovoltaic panels: Compatible with most panels on the market, the fixing system facilitates optimized installation to maximize electrical production throughout the day.
Technical characteristics
The Oasis Biosolar system incorporates several outstanding technical features, designed to optimize the solar power generation, rainwater management, and promoting biodiversity on rooftops. The main technical characteristics of the system are described below:
- Bac Hydrostock: Container for water reserve. Dimensions 600 x 400 x 80 mm, made from 100% recycled PE-PP, with a containment capacity of 52 L/m².
- Connectors: Facilitate interconnection and water passage between bacs. Made from 100% recycled PE-PP, they ensure perfect alignment of the bacs.
- Irig'Up Mecha: Wick that allows water to rise by capillarity from the Hydrostock bac to the vegetation. Made from Polyester/Polyamide fabric with hydrophilic properties.
- Nappe de Répartition d'Eau: Facilitates the diffusion of water from the wicks to the substrate and plants. Made from 100% polyester fiber, non-woven, thermoset and thermoformed, with a weight of 100 g/m².
- Module Board: Support plate placed on the Hydrostock bac, designed for the drainage and capillary refilling of water. Made from PP, it measures 600 x 400 x 15 mm, and can withstand compression of 2,5 tons without deforming.
- IR FLORE substrate: Substrate specially formulated by Le Prieuré to meet the needs of plants on rooftops. Provides optimal permeability and aeration for root growth; minimum dry weight of 600 to 950 kg/m³ and maximum saturated water weight of 1,1 to 1,4 kg/m³.
- aluminum rieles: Aluminum rails for fixing photovoltaic panels. Available in lengths of 400 or 800 mm, and heights of 42 or 140 mm depending on the thickness of the insulation; They are fixed to the Modulo plate using stainless steel screws.
- Feet: Adjustable supports that slide inside the rails to install the panels. Heights of 125 mm for small adjustments and 250 mm for larger adjustments, allowing flat or inclined installations of up to 10°. They include a system for grounding the panels.
Compatibility and Ease of Installation:
The Oasis Biosolar solution is compatible with most photovoltaic panels on the market, allowing flexible and optimized installation for different roof configurations.
Environmental Benefits and Energy Efficiency:
Improves the performance of photovoltaic panels during periods of high temperature through water evaporation, contributing to greater energy production.
Promotes biodiversity and helps sustainable rainwater management by moving towards a “zero discharge” model.
Source: oasisbiosolar.fr
