Biosolar roofs can help boost the power output and biodiversity in our cities. Here's how

Aug 22, 2023

Biosolar rooftops can reduce the temperatures by up to 8℃, which can increase solar panel efficiency by up to 107%. Image: Unsplash/CHUTTERSNAP

Peter Irga

ARC DECRA Fellow and Lecturer in Air and Noise Pollution, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney

Eamonn Wooster

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University

Fraser R Torpy

Director, Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group, University of Technology Sydney

Jack Rojahn

PhD Candidate, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra

Robert Fleck

Research Scientist, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney

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(A) The study site location (red dot) in the Sydney central business district. (B) Architectural design of Daramu House. (C) Rooftop view looking south, showing plantings around and underneath solar panels. Image: Green Roof & Solar Array – Comparative Research Project

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(A) An example of evenly distributed plant cover around solar panels. (B) Aptenia cordifolia (Baby Sun Rose) came to dominate the area beneath solar panels. Minor cover of Viola hederacea can also be seen. (C) Vegetation around solar panels along the outside of east section of the roof. (D) Additional evidence of the dominance of A. cordifolia beneath the panels and dieback directly under them. (E) Relatively even cover of a range of species and marked increase in height in Goodenia ovata (Hop Goodenia). (F) Substantial height increases for the entire vegetation community. Image: Green Roof & Solar Array – Comparative Research Project

eDNA sampling on site.

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Blue-banded bees were among the unexpected visitors to the green roof. Image: Chiswick Chap/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Energy output (left) and surface temperatures (right) of solar panels on a biosolar green roof and on a conventional roof. Image: Green Roof & Solar Array – Comparative Research Project

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