"SolTrak™ is a Modular Solar Roofing system that incorporates photovoltaic integration. This system consists of a polymer roofing tile containing an integral solar-electric panel, which is mounted using a unique and proprietary track. Similar in concept to track lighting, it features custom extruded tracks enabling easy electrical & mechanical connection and greatly simplifying installation of the product."
Basically, the solar panels on your roof are part of the roofing shingle/panel as compared with mounted on top.....
We contacted this company to learn more about this product and the timing won't work out to even consider this further. Maybe if we post information on it, someone else in Ottawa will consider looking into this further???
The SolTrack system can be installed as a conventional roof and solar tiles can be added later, as a budget allows. As for timing, they don't expect to have their system in commercial production until early 2010. They are still in the pilot stage and are currently involved in a number of government sponsored installations. Apparently the UL certification has not been completed yet, however. they expect that their tiles will perform as well as asphalt - with considerably less embedded energy. If someone's project allows for some experimentation and pre-production materials, then there may be some potential to work with this company.
For more information, visit: http://www.msrinnovations.com/soltrak.html
If someone out there is interested and contacts this company, please post a comment on our blog so that I get to know.....
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The following is some info from an email that I received.
Here is a synopis of the SolTrak™ technology from the Sustainable Development Technology Canada 2007 Annual Report (www.sdtc.ca/en/news/2007_AR_Supplement.pdf):
MSR Innovations and its consortium partners plan to develop and demonstrate a unique solar roofing system which dramatically improves installation of solar PV.
Improving systems installation of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) is a key priority for the solar industry.
The system's extensive design and manufacturing flexibility produces a sustainable product that will reduce the costs of solar power systems, enabling mainstream market entry. Increased access to and availability of renewable energy will create a corresponding reduction of greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional power generation.
You will find the Best Practice Guidelines for Solar Power Building Projects in Australia, published by the Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of New South Wales, quite useful, I believe.
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