Reduced Balance of System Costs using Lightweight photovoltaics integrated with roofing material membranes

A cost analysis was completed using PVMC´s Balance of System Cost Analysis Tool (BOS-CAT) for Lightweight PV (LPV) applications to evaluate mounting installation methods and associated BOS costs of flat membrane commercials roofs. The use of a sacrificial membrane allows for increased speed of module installs by adapting tools and know-how from the roofing industry. Using the BOS-CAT, two integrated modules types were designed (690W and 1.5kW) using commercially available LPV modules. A series of integrated modules were fabricated and installed on PVMC´s Prototype Demonstration Facility (PDF) roofing. Installations verified that the approach resulted in greater than a 40% reduction in hardware labor costs.