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Why Solar and Green Roofs Are Better Together

WHY SOLAR GREEN ROOFS SOLAR GARDEN ROOFS or 'BIOSOLAR'?

Everything you want to know about combining Green Roofs with Photovoltaic

Picture: Jörg Breuning, Worlds largest Solar Green Roof conglomerate (Heilbronn,DE)

Note: This entire page is a 25 minutes read. If you have no time - no problem. Use der Quick Links below.

Definition Solar Green Roofs - Solar Garden Roofs - Biosolar

Definition of Biosolar, Solar Green Roof and Solar Garden Roof

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

Anchor page Triple Bottom

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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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

Anchor page PV-Ballast

Roof Ballast

What is a ballasted roof? What are the types of roof ballast?

In North America, it's still quite common for roofing manufacturers and companies to suggest using Hot Rubberized Asphalts, Asphalt Membranes, Fluid-Applied Rubberized Asphalt, or Hot-Melt Membranes for low sloped roofs.
Sadly, these materials don't hold up very well against environmental factors like UV rays, temperature changes, bacteria, and physical impacts.
To safeguard this ancient roofing practice, manufacturers advise using extra materials to cover the roofing. Any material added over the roofing can be considered ballast, regardless of the specific function it is meant to serve.

Ballast on the roof is also necessary to weigh down roofing products and prevent wind uplift for those that aren't adhered or mechanically secured to the roof deck.

Common Roof Ballasts, materials for Ballasted Roof Systems:

  • Consistently ponding water, water feature
  • Gravel, River Rock  (no crushed stone)
  • Concrete Pavers or poured concrete
  • Rubber Pavers or other interlocking paver systems
  • Wood Decks
  • Ballasted Solar Panels
  • Green Roofs, Living Roofs
  • Solar Green Roofs

Please see below an ANYLYSIS OF ROOF BALLAST FOR SUSTAINABILITY

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

Mock-up for fully sun-tracking solar green roof

Cross Section and Detail of the Most Advanced (Blue) Solar Garden Roof

Solar Garden Roof, Solar Green Roof - or do you still call it Biosolar?

Platform Based Monolithic Multifunctional Modularity for Solar Green Roofs
world’s first Solar Green Roof or Solar Garden Roof that combines artesian Green Roof technology with Blue Roof technology

Platform Based Monolithic Modularity for Solar Green Roofs with Blue Option

Integrate Solar seamlessly into any Wall-to-Wall Green Roof system without any roof penetration.

Introducing the world’s first Open Source Solar Green Roof or Solar Klima Roof. This innovative design merges artesian Green Roof technology with Blue Roof technology, allowing for both permanent and temporary water storage in a specially engineered reservoir. The stackable and interconnected reservoir grids offer designers unparalleled flexibility compared to any other Green Roof system! This advanced Solar Green Roof is firmly anchored within a monolithic platform, ensuring it can endure wind loads exceeding 130 mph.

It accommodates fix-tilt or bifacial vertical PV modules from a wide range of PV manufacturers globally. 
This system is compatible with both fix-tilt and bifacial vertical PV modules from a wide range of manufacturers globally.
The Smart Flow Control feature is optional (if the roofing conditions permit) and can function as either an "active" or "passive" device, enabling a controlled slow release of stormwater from the roof. This gradual release not only enhances the cooling effect but also allows the PV modules to generate even more energy.
All components and materials are designed for durability, typically made in the USA, and consist of at least 80% recycled post-consumer content including Cradle-to-Cradle  certification for large projects.

OUR WORK and TIMELINE

Innovations and our participations with and around Solar Green Roofs since 1992

Solar Green Roofs – Timeline of Achievements and Participation

First Solar Green Roof

First Solar Green Roof in the World

─────── 1992 ───────

Solar Green Roof 1992

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).

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Installation Solar Green Roof

A typical solar green roof installation sequence in pictures shows the simplicity and no interference with the "same-time" Green Roof installation

Installation Solar Green Roofs

Solar Green Roof Installation 1

Typical Installation for Solar Green Roofs, Solar Garden Roofs - or "Biosolar"

Integrated Solar-Green-Roof starts with cleaning the roof

Picture: Jörg Breuning Green Roof Technology

Cleaning a roof for a green roof installation requires removing all existing vegetation, debris, and moss using gentle, non-abrasive methods to maintain structural integrity. Use soft-bristled brushes, low-pressure washing, or eco-friendly cleaners like vinegar or soap to remove organic growth. Avoid pressure washers to prevent damage to roofing membranes

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Spherical solar energy generator designed by German architect André Broessel

Spherical Solar Energy Generator 

RAWLEMON, 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

This self-cleaning quality of the SmartFlower module is one of two unique features.

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?

Greenhouse indoor agrisolar

Solar in Greenhouse

Solar In 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. 

Awarded lightweight PV-system for green roofs. Now available with 20 cm and 35 cm spacing from substrate

Vertical, Bifacial, East-West

German premium manufacturers use vertical, bifacial dual glass modules oriented east-west, generating electricity on both sides including the ecological function of the Green Roof with tremendous stormwater retention.

Such awarded lightweight PV-system for green roofs with retrofit options are coming with 15cm to 50cm spacing from substrate, providing many options for biodiversity. More information

THERE IS A BUZZ ABOUT BIOSOLAR

Many people around the globe use the buzzword BIOSOLAR. What are the meanings of this Buzzword?

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) -

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

Our Services

CONTACT US

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

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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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