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Solar Green Roofs

SOLAR GREEN ROOFS

Solar Garden Roofs

SOLAR GARDEN ROOFS

BioSolar

or 'BIOSOLAR'?

Learn from the best

Everything you want to know about combining Green Roofs with Photovoltaic

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Definition of Biosolar, Solar Green Roof and Solar Garden Roof

Definition Solar Green Roofs - Solar Garden Roofs - Biosolar

All terms refer to the same concept, where photovoltaic (PV) modules or solar panels are combined with a vegetated roof, also known as a green roof, on a single low-slope roof area. Clearly, these combinations are designed, engineered, and implemented in various ways depending on numerous factors such as roof size, roof layout, structural requirements, shading, and many other unique project elements.

 

The phrases Solar Green Roof and Solar Garden Roof clearly indicate their meaning, whereas BIOSOLAR is a popular buzzword primarily utilized in the U.K. and other English-speaking nations and always needs further explanation.

The Term Biosolar

BioSolar or Bio-Solar a Buzzword

The term BIOSOLAR is quite deceptive and seems to have been coined by marketers who either lack a proper understanding of the technology or failed to research this term thoroughly. Had they conducted their due diligence, they would have realized that this phrase is applied in numerous and varied contexts. We have gathered some of these diverse meanings of Biosolar at the end of this page. See here (click).

Largest Biosolar in the world

Solar Garden Roof Currently largest Solar Garden Roofs on the Blue Planet and likely in the Universe

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Solar Green Roof Combinations

The Four Most Common Solar Green Roof Combinations

PV System and Green Roof

PV System and Green Roof share the same roof in different locations (least preferable solution) 

PV System and Green Roof share the same roof in different locations (least preferable solution)

PV ballasted over Green Roof

PV System is placed ontop of existing Green Roof, mostly bifacial, vertical systems, retrofit

PV System is placed ontop of existing Green Roof, mostly bifacial, vertical systems

PV anchored in roof and elevated

PV anchored in roof structure and far above recreational Green Roof (e.g.Agrisolar)

PV anchored in roof structure and far above recreational Green Roof (e.g.Agrisolar)

PV integrated in Green Roof

PV System is fully integrated within the Green Roof System most effective solution

PV System is fully integrated within the Green Roof System most effective solution

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Triple Bottom Line With Fully Integrated Solar Garden Roofs

 

Green Roof Benefits

Green Roofs expand roof life by protecting the waterproofing, they can reduce air conditioning costs, may reduce winter heating costs, transform dead space into natural habitat, reduce city heat island effect, improve air quality, create biodiversity, prevent combined sewer overflow by reducing annual runoff between 55-90%, and neutralize acid rain effect.

Photovoltaic Benefits

Solar power systems, Photovoltaic Systems derive clean, pure energy from the sun. As a result, installing solar panel on buildings help to combat greenhouse gas emissions and reduces our collective dependence on fossil fuel. Local solar systems reduce transportation of energy through power lines. Moreover, solar panels on a roof reduce clear cutting of forests to install ground mounted PV.

Additional Benefits of Combination

Reduction of installation and maintenance costs. Likewise, combining of national, state, or local incentives programs. Because, solar Garden Roofs have better airflow and stay cooler there is an increase of output by over 10%.

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Roof Ballast rated for sustainability

ANYLYSIS OF ROOF BALLAST FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Gravel Roof

Solar Only Roof

Green Roof

Solar Green Roof

Type of Ballast

Rating:

0 = poor

5 = great

Sunlight Reflection, Albedo

1

3

2

2

Cooling Through Evaporation

1

0

5

5

Heat Island Blockage

1

3

5

5

Insulation For Roof

1

2

4

4

Clean Energy Production

0

5

0

4

Protects Roofing Below

2

1

4

4

Improves Air Quality

0

1

5

4

Habitat Creation, Biodiversity

1

1

4

4

Stormwater Management

1

0

5

5

Maintenance

1

0

3

2

Costs

4

3

2

1

Payback

0

3

3

5

Total Rating:

13

22

42

45

Questions - Contact
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By Jörg Breuning ©

Green Roof Technology 6/2026

Anchor page PV-Ballast

Jörg Breuning the Creator of

Solar Green Roofs   -  Timeline of Achievements and Participation

First Tracking Solar Green Roof in the world

The creator of Solar Green Roofs no Biosolar?

 

───────   1992   ───────

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First Solar Green Roof in the World

Mercedes-Benz Group AG maintains around 8-10 Million square feet of Green Roofs on their manufacturing facilities across Germany. It was an honor for Jörg Breuning installing the world`s first Solar Green Roof. The system is anchored into the roof with an  extensive Green Roof. It is also the world`s first Solar Green Roof with mirror tracking PV system. The system still existed in 2026 at their V6/V8 engine factory in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim (Picture taken 2022).

First integrtaed Solar Green Roof in the world

The creator of Solar Green Roofs no Biosolar?

 

───────   1994   ───────

 

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First Sun Power - without Roof Penetration

On every project in Germany engineers and architects are ambitious to reduce roof penetrations and so the risks of leaks. The first Solar Garden Roofs were mounted on precast concrete blocks that are sitting on seamless drainage layer. Picture taken in 2018.

First translucent Solar Green Roof in the world

The creator of Solar Green Roofs no Biosolar?

 

───────   1995   ───────

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Translucent Solar, the First on a Green Roof

Approximately 50% of all school buildings in Stuttgart, Germany have Green Roofs. Retrofitting these Green Roofs with Solar has been challenging because of shading, resulting into damages of the vegetation.
Extensive tests with translucent PV modules showed excellent results. However at this time (over 30 years ago) such technology was also expensive.
Covering less area with PV modules in landscape orientation were more successful.

First iselfie Solar Green Roof in the world

The creator of Solar Green Roofs no Biosolar?

 

───────   1996   ───────

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The First Selfie on a Solar Garden Roof

Still no digital cameras or cameras in cellphone in 1995 but already Solar Garden Roofs. In the nineties Germany was leading with rooftop Solar and still leading today with new Installation of Green Roofs and Solar Garden Roofs.
In 2021 Germany installed around 4 square miles of new Green Roofs where 15%-20% were Solar Garden Roofs. World Record!

World's first and finest solar wind green roof

The creator of Solar Green Roofs no Biosolar?

 

───────   2003   ───────

 

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Ecofriendly Hotel

Green Roofs have long caught up as a valuable asset on Hotels in Germany because the free additional green space. In this case they added also one of the first Micro Windmills - certainly the first in the world on hotel. Picture 2008

The First in North America

The creator of Solar Green Roofs no Biosolar?

 

───────   2008   ───────

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The First Solar Green Roof in North America

In 2008 Jorg Breuning Green Roof Technology introduced the first Solar Green Roof to North America with projects in New York City and Washington DC. It had been challenging to convince clients about the tripple bottom line, despite great incentives. Still in 2024 the USA market for combined Green Roof PV solutions is only 10% of the market share in Germany.

North America's first Blue Green Roof solar by Green Roof Technology

The creator of Solar Green Roofs no Biosolar?

 

───────   2019   ───────

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North America's first Blue Green Roof Solar powers Green Roof Technology

Artesian Stormwater Management on Structures and first Open Source Green Roof, Solar, and Solar Blue Green Roof System in North America.
Made in USA and resilience paired with sustainability. A system engineered for the plants and installation professionals increasing payback for building owners.

Bifacial Vertical Solar Green Roof

The creator of Solar Green Roofs no Biosolar?

 

───────   2022   ───────

 

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First Bifacial Vertical Solar Green Roof in North America

Green Roof Technology introduced the First Bifacial Vertical Solar Green Roof to North America integrated in an advanced multifunctional blue/green infrastructure system. An intelligent assembly package that allows engineers and installers to tailor a vast variety of roof top solutions for every roof or any design intent with only a few components. The system is also available in No-Plastic options, making this bifacial vertical Solar Blue/Green Roof Systems the best in the world!

Would you call it bio wind?

The creator of Solar Green Roofs no Biosolar?

 

───────   2024   ───────

 

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Vertical bifacial Solar combined with Wind Turbines

Green Roof Technology introduced Vertical bifacial Solar combined with Wind Turbines to North America and Blue Green Roof option. A smart assembly to produce energy package almost around the clock. Those who call solar green roof 'biosolar' should find a buzzword quickly. Maybe bio wind solar? As all latest designs from Green Roof Technology there are also solutions possible without plastic. Next lever Solar Green Roofs!

Tracking systems for solar green roofs

The creator of Solar Green Roofs no Biosolar?

 

───────   2026/28   ───────

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The future is bright (from a solar perspective)

Green Roof Technology is collaborating with Solar Tracking systems for Green Roofs. Today smart electronic for trackers are more flexible than bifacial systems and less affected by soiling or other potential shading elements. However, the future of the Solar market and green roof market in USA strongly depends on a positive change in politics and a good recovery from the current admin.

Creative Solar Green Roofs

Creative and Unexpected Solar Green Roof you find only here

Jörg Breuning the Creator of Solar Garden Roof

Rawlemon, spherical solar energy generator

Rawlemon is spherical solar energy generator

Rawlemon is spherical solar energy generator designed by German architect André Broessel that uses water-filled glass spheres to concentrate sunlight and moonlight onto small, high-efficiency photovoltaic cells.

Claimed to be up to 70% more efficient than traditional panels, it features a dual-axis tracking system and is intended for building integration.

Visit: Sonn Dich Gold

According to Smartflower’s website, this translates into a 40% increase in production over a similarly sized rooftop solar panel system.

Smart Flower

Smart Flower:

The word ‘smart’ has been thrown in front of thousands of products over the past decade to highlight a range of values. The SmartFlower solar panel system, however, definitely deserves this title. The SmartFlower consists of 12 ‘petals’ which open up at the beginning of the day when the sun comes out. The self-cleaning quality of the SmartFlower module is a unique feature. More?

Indoor Agrisolar: An indoor solar greenhouse

A solar greenhouse is a specialized structure or shed that uses sunlight and the greenhouse effect to create favorable conditions for plant growth all year round, irrespective of the weather conditions outside the greenhouse. 

All solar greenhouses, whether active or passive, follow the same basic principle: they trap and store solar energy to maintain a stable environment for plant growth. 

Indoor Agrisolar: An indoor solar greenhouse

German premium manufacturers use vertical, bifacial dual glass modules oriented east-west, generating electricity on both sides and preserving the ecological function of the roof.

Such awarded lightweight PV-system for green roofs with retrofit options are with 20 cm and 35 cm spacing from substrate. More information

 

Solar Garden Roofs are the most profitable in regards ROI

Solar Garden Roof Suppliers


 

Solar Garden Roof Manufacturers / Suppliers

Keep in mind that most manufacturers might have stopped supporting US America projects based on the foreign USA trade policy and environmental ignorance. 

Contact us, we can help with all made in USA.

Manufacturer

Variety of Systems

Retrofit Option

PV Tilt

Any Roofing System?

Made in Country

Avalibility:

North America, Caribbean

Simple Solution, hard to customize

YES, limitations

10°-20°

NO

GERMANY

NO

Clean Design

NO

15°-25°

YES

SWITZERLAND

YES

Identical to Contec

NO

15°-25°

YES

SWITZERLAND

YES

Identical to ZinCo

NO

15°- vertical

YES

GERMANY

YES

Unique Customization

Limited

0°-vertical

YES

USA, CANADA, GERMANY

YES

Multiple Solutions

YES / NO

10° vertical

YES

GERMANY

YES, limited

One Size Fits All

YES

vertical

YES

NORWAY

YES

Identical to Contec

NO

15°-25°

YES

GERMANY

Unknown

Unique Customization, own PV production

YES / NO

very flexible

preferred vertical

YES

GERMANY

YES

Solar Green Roof installation in USA
Biosolar explained

Biosolar Buzzword

THERE IS A BUZZ ABOUT BIOSOLAR

Many people around the globe use the buzzword BIOSOLAR. What does that word mean? 

Biosolar and Bio-Solar

The term BIOSOLAR is highly misleading and likely invented by marketing people or people who crave for attention but have no technical understanding.

Bio-Solar or Biosolar explained

As seasoned experts,

we prefer our audience and clients to comprehend us clearly and without ambiguity. Buzzwords like BIOSOLAR may catch attention, and some inexperienced professionals might think they sound more knowledgeable by using them. In reality, these buzzwords create a mental image that likely differs from what the expert envisions. The term BIOSOLAR is a clear distraction. From that point, it can take a considerable amount of time to clarify the information – if it can be clarified at all. As experienced professionals, we don’t waste our clients' time and avoid creating misleading impressions that we later have to correct. Solar Green Roof conveys everything in just three words without any confusion.

Here you find an entire page of links to "biosolar" and "bio-solar"

- Click here (under construction) -

Proud of having the longest Green Roof History in the world.

.
Green Roof Consulting

Thank you for visiting our website from all over the world!

Contact

USA: Baltimore, MD 21234

Phone: +1 443.three four five.1578

Email: info (at) greenrooftechnology.com

Contact Form / Let's Talk

 

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