With a growing number of consumers interested in adopting a more green lifestyle, there has been a huge increase in the demand for solar roofing solutions. However, it is clear that consumers want these eco energy solutions to not only be sustainable, but to also be affordable, easy to install and aesthetically pleasing.
When it comes to making solar panels easier to install, a number of companies have developed lightweight products that reduce the amount of labor needed for installation. For instance, SunTegra has developed ultra-lightweight Solar Singles that are specially designed for direct-to-roof installation. Similarly, Solafast and Norwood are working on printed solar cells that could be easily added to rooftops without the structural burden of heavy panels.
On the other hand, many eco energy companies have sought to create solar roofing solutions that are more aesthetically pleasing than the traditional rack-mounted panels. This is particularly important when it comes to historical buildings, which cannot have their architectural integrity compromised by bulky solar panels. Some companies making solar roofing solutions that help to preserve curb appeal include GAF, SolarCity and Forward Labs.
12 Solar Roofing Innovations
From Printed Solar Cells to Sustainable Metal Roofing Solutions:
Katherine Pendrill — Feb 1, 2017 — Eco
12
Printed Solar Cells
Solafast and Norwood are Teaming Up to Print Solar Inks on to Plastic Film
11
Architecture-Preserving Solar Tiles
ZEP's Sun Roof Tiles are Appropriate for Historical Buildings
10
Solar Panel Roofing
SolarCity's 'Solar Roof' Will be a Roof Made Entirely from Solar Panels
9
Understated Solar Roofing
BIPVCo's Solar Roofing is Designed to Look Sleek and Sophisticated
8
Rooftop Energy-Storing Devices
The Enphase Lets You Store and Monitor Electricity At Home
7
Utility-Scale Solar Batteries
The JLM Phazr Battery Reduces Costs and Increases Efficiency
6
Surreptitious Solar Panels
Dyaqua's Panels are Indistinguishable from Common Building Materials
5
Roof-Integrated Solar Panels
The GAF DecoTech System is Integrated Directly into a Home's Roof
4
Lightweight Solar-Powered Shingles
The SunTegra Solar Shingles are Designed for Easy Installation
3
Solar-Powered Heating Systems
The 'SunPump' Harnesses the Power of Solar Panels to Heat Homes
2
Anti-Overheating Solar Technology
This Hybrid Solar System Captures Excess Heat From Solar Cells
1
Sustainable Metal Roofing Solutions
The Forward Roofing System is Fully Integrated into the Roof
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Rooftop Deck Tiny Homes
Removed Tiny Homes 'Solace' is Surprisingly Spacious
Enhanced Airflow Rooftop Tents
The iKamper Skycamp 4.0 Roof Top Tent Comes in Three Sizes
Terraced Tiny Living
The Park Tiny Home Elevates Compact Living with a Rooftop Terrace
Fashion Brand Rooftop Tents
The Zara Car Roof Tent Has an Aluminum Shell and Sleeps Two
Terracotta Facade Systems
Glen-Gery Introduces the SK1N Terracotta Facade System
Sustainable Light Designs
MIT Design Intelligence Lab Debuts the Geolectric Lantern
Hardshell Rooftop Tents
The Thule Widesky Rooftop Tent Expands Camping into Living Space
RV-Like Car Camper Units
The Roofroomer 'Native' Camper Has an L-Shaped Design
Hard-Shell Rooftop Camping Pods
Mohab Altus Rooftop Tent Deploys into Full-Height Cabin in Seconds
Contemporary Rural Dwellings
StudioAC's South Bay House Reinterprets Rural Canadian Architecture
Solar-Powered Smart Locks
The Lockin Veno Solar Eliminates the Need for Battery Swaps
Low-Power ePaper Displays
E Ink Unveiled ePaper for Sustainable Digital OOH Advertising
Sustainable Collectible Packaging
TOPPAN Replaces Plastic Packs with Paper-Based Alternatives
Perovskite Space Solar Panels
Verde Technologies Introduced Its Perovskite Space Panels
Solar Panel-Covering Films
Fraunhofer ISE ShadeCut Hides Solar Panels in Plain Sight
Renewed Urban Rooftops
The Heineken Seoul Rooftop Turns Unused Rooftops into Community Spaces
AI-Driven Home Energy Ecosystems
Jackery Showcased Its Innovations at Intersolar Europe
Solar Grazing Programs
The Solar Grazing Project Uses Sheep to Maintain Photovoltaic Panels
Shape‑shifting Retreats
This Modular Off‑Grid House Adapts to Natural Sites with Expandable Walls
Architectural Home Saunas
The Luminar by Sun Home Saunas is Designed to Integrate into New Homes
Solar Timber Residences
The Forest Edge House by Marc Thorpe Uses Off-Grid Systems
Rooftop RV Air Conditioners
The 'Aventa' Can Regulate Interior Climate With Low Noise and Profile
Infrared-Blocking Eyewear Designs
Solir Optics Offers Beyond UV Protection with Its Eyewear
Eco Living Vertical Towers
The Eden Rise Vertical Eco Living Community Integrates Food Production
Plug-In Energy Storage Systems
MARSTEK's VENUS B is Noted to Be the World's Thinnest
Practical Inflatable Rooftop Tents
Portal Nomis One™ is Now Being Crowdfunded on Kickstarter
Highly Recyclable Packaging Films
The Südpack CarbonLite Films are Suited for Cheese and More
Metal-Clad Coastal Homes
The Corrugated Casa 144º Sits Above the Barcelona Coast
Mass Timber Housing Solutions
Perkins&Will Highlights the Sustainable Versatility of Mass Timber
Solar Charging Umbrellas
Portable Outdoor Emergency Charger stores solar power inside its handle
Century-Old Brick Townhouse Expansions
Archi-Tectonics Completes the London Solar House
Urban Solar Charging Benches
The Perovia Bench Transforms City Streets into Public Charging Hubs
Plant-Powered Biological Electricity
Alinti Creates Green Energy from Living Photosynthesis
Modular Living Structures
Modular BV System Redefines Prefabricated Homes Sustainability in Brazil
Lightweight Packaging Materials
Holmen Expands Fresh-Fibre Solutions for Corrugated Packaging
Folding Solar Chargers
The Nestout 4-Panel Solar Charger Delivers Up to 28 Watts
Soil-Powered Light Sources
The Soli Garden Light by Milú Brunell Glows from Living Soil Power
Recycled Resin Panels
Know New Plastic Introduces Dual-Sided Textures for Architectural Surfaces
Circular Packaging Coatings
Siegwerk Launches Heat-Seal Solutions for Fiber Packaging
3D-Printed Storefront Systems
lululemon and Aectual Roll Out the Store's New 3D-Printed Ceilings
Utility Scale Solar Modules
GREW Solar Powers NTPC Renewable Energy With High Output Panels
Compact Sustainable Homes
Quadrapol Introduces the Cabana as a Tiny Dwelling That Rethinks Space
3D-Printed Canopy Shelters
3D-Printed Roof at Archaeological Complex of Carmona Protects Old Tombs
Modular Fashion Boutiques
Solmé Pairs Reconfigurable Displays with Stainless Steel Furnishings
Solar-Powered Desert Stations
Michael Jantzen Unveiled the High Desert Charging Station
Home Energy Storage Systems
Samduo Has Introduced Its Nex Series of Home Energy Storage Systems
Origami-Inspired Floor Lamps
The Ori Lamp Folds 1 Metal Sheet into Elegant Sustainable Lighting
Solar-Powered Door Locks
DESLOC Debuts the "Self-Sustained Perovskite Solar Door Lock"
Flexible Pendant Lighting
The Somari Collection by LightArt Uses 3d-Printed Modular Shades
Sustainable Canopy Pavilions
The Casa Solai Frames Ocean and Jungle Through a Dual-Pavilion Design
Gigawatt Solar Installations
Tata Power Renewable Delivers 1 GW DCR-Compliant Solar Project
Sustainable Solar-Powered Beers
Oakham Sun City is Brewed Using Power from a Rooftop Solar Array
Full-Spectrum Roof Restoration Systems
Guaranteed Roof Debuts 'Don't Replace It. Save It!'
Prefab Timber Pods
The Forest Nests Treepod Project Presents Compact Modular Units
Tropical Timber Schools
Oceana Innovation Hub School Introduces a Mass Timber Structure
Sculptural Outdoor Lighting
Solae Lamp by Cecilie Manz for Fritz Hansen Expands into Outdoors
Shared Solar Metering Projects
Discoms Expand Virtual Solar Access For Rooftop Limited Users
Solar-Powered Sleek Bikes
The SOLARIS Solar Powered Motorcycle Generates All Its Own Energy
Sun-Tracking Portable Solar Systems
The Iris T1 Portable Solar Generator Offers 40% Power Gains
Sustainable Future Venues
An All-Electric Stadium Plan Sets New Benchmark for Community Sports
Solar Energy Pavilions
The Sun Shadow Pavilion is a Conceptual Solar-Powered Exhibition Structure
Solar Powered Compact Homes
The E55000 Modular Off Grid Home Brings Expandable Living Upfront
Solar-Powered Pool Monitoring Solutions
INKBIRD Debuts the Aesthetic-Forward IBS-P05R Thermometer
Renewable Manufacturing Moves
PVV Infra And ITC Services Expand Advanced Solar And Storage Product
Solar-Powered Smart String Lights
The Govee Outdoor Solar String Lights are Customizable
Pay-As-You-Go Energy Solutions
BLUETTI Offers Flexibility in the Clean Energy Sector
Solar Light Installations
Main Light Generates Off-Grid Illumination with Organic Solar Panels
Kinetic Textile Structures
Adaptive Knit is an Innovative Textile Made with Natural Materials
Utility-Led Solar Aggregations
India Expands PM Surya Ghar With Utility-Run Rooftop Installations
Green Roof Residences
Tapestry by Shibanee & Kamal Architects Brings Nature to Rooftops
Solar-Powered TKL Keyboards
Soleil Mechanical TKL Features Hidden Solar Tech and Wood Accents
Solar Manufacturing Moves
Fujiyama Power Systems Launches 1-GW Cell Plant
Hilltop Modern Retreats
The Cloud House Transforms a Hudson Valley Site into a Serene Eco Home
Modular Outdoor Lighting
Lanova Introduces a Modular Solar Lamp System That Adapts to the Outdoors
Eclipse-Themed Rooftop Artworks
James Tapscott's Arc ZERO: Eclipse is Visually Stunning
Air-Derived Protein Supplements
Solar Foods and Sensapure Flavors Partnered for a New Product
Stunning Solar Clock-Inspired Houses
Fernanda Canales Completes House 720 Degrees
Concealed Solar Lighting
The Sula Solar Touch Light Hides Its Solar Technology in Plain Sight
Solar Energy Technology Websites
Sungrow Publicly Launched a Newly Developed International Website
3D-Printed Corn Composite Panels
MANUFACTRA Introduced the Corn Lime Material 'Concretl'
Sustainable Family Homes
Twin Pitches Extends an Edwardian House with Bright & Efficient Design
Foldable Urban Canopies
Seoul Shade Provides Portable Shelter for Parks and Public Spaces
Renter-Friendly Solar Microinverters
The Hoymiles HiFlow Pro Microinverter is a First in the US
Display Frame Lamps
Solaris Combines Ambient Lighting with Storage and Display Space
Red Roof-Topped Irish Buildings
A1 Architects Completes the Design of the Gate Lodge
3d Printed Lighting Sets
Tierra, Mar Y Aire by Faro Barcelona Explores Circular Material Systems
Sustainable Dome Villas
The Belalu Dome Villa Offers Sustainable Charm Wrapped in Organic Form
Timber Grid Roof Houses
Casa Colmeia by Sabella Arquitetura Uses a Honeycomb Roof Structure
Interactive Architectural Pavilions
The Folding Landscape Pavilion Turns Design into a Living Lens
Pitched Roof Houses
Gable Villa in Iran is Built Around a Pitched Roof Form and Modern Geometry
Marine-Grade Sun Shades
The Shibumi Shade Features an Eco-Conscious Design
Integrated Solar Factories
Vikram Solar Opens a Smart Factory with Integrated Production Plans
Modular Tile Server Racks
Sophia Space Unveiled TILEs to Passively Cool Orbiting CPUs
Farm Infrastructure Monitoring Systems
Farmblox's COP-R-LOCK Protects Solar Infrastructure
Reactive Solar Motorcycle Visors
This Liquid Crystal Technology Tints Motorcycle Visors
Manufacturable Fusion Infrastructure
Pacific Fusion Develops Factory-Built Energy Modules
Semi-Fixed Energy Storage Units
Sunshare Technology Debuts a New Residential Energy Product
Solar-Powered Race Vehicle Innovations
Power Integrations Boasts a Specialized Reference Kit
Sun-Drenched Furniture Installations
Corona Cero's Sun Tags Help Urban Workers Reenergize Outdoors
Sustainable Growth Systems
TreeSoil 3d-Printed Bricks Support Young Trees in Changing Climates
Modern Design-Forward Tile Exhibitions
Tile of Spain Manufacturers Spotlight Designs at Coverings
Climate-Generating Skylight Homes
Casa Con Lucarna Highlights Natural Light and Passive Cooling
Dark Timber Forest Houses
MORFEUS arkitekter Unveiled Solem Forest House
Modern Metal Houses
The Agramonte House by Antonio Bessa Cruz Architects Uses Metal Cladding
Solar Energy Sculptures
Michael Jantzen’s 16-Arm Moving Sculpture Uses Solar Power and Gravity
Climate-Responsive Housing
The Cielo Residential Building Uses Screens by Indian Architecture
Wood Fiber Acoustic Tiles
Aisti Aalto Acoustic Tiles Use Renewable Wood Fibre Construction
Drought-Tolerant Rooftop Landscapes
Opus One Revealed Its Redesigned Rooftop Garden
Tandem Solar Cells
LONGi Sets a New Perovskite-Silicon Efficiency Record
Efficient Energy Harvesting Tech
JBNU Researchers Debut a New Triboelectric Nanogenerators Design
Solar-Powered Tequila Operations
Cazcabel Unveils the Hacienda Cazcabel Solar Conversion
Space Rv Concepts
The Diana‑i Solar Sailer Brings Home Comforts to Interplanetary Travel
Climate-Responsive Skyscrapers
Wasl Tower used a ceramic facade to improve cooling efficiency
Sustainably-Focused Athletic Surfaces
The Oregon Episcopal School Upgrades Its Field and Track
Renewable Energy Shelters
Solar Wind Gazebos Combine Photovoltaics and Wind Turbines
Solar Parcel Postboxes
Royal Mail Solar Postboxes Introduce Parcel Hatches and Digital Integration
Net Zero Research Facilities
Koffler Scientific Reserve Research Building Supports Ecology Studies
Net-Zero Timber Pavilions
Land’s Sake Farmstand by Payette Uses Passive Design and Solar Energy
Typhoon-Resilient Shelters
The Seoul Wing Project is Designed to Withstand Typhoons
Rooftop Park Domes
Yongping Warehouse Renovation Adds a Public Park Beneath Translucent Canopies
Sculptural Inverted Homes
Fala Atelier’s Porto House Flips a Roof for an Expressive Architecture
Solar-Powered Keyboards
The Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ Keyboard Charges from Any Light Source
Mold-Free Composite Manufacturing
ORNL Develops Mold-Free Origami-Inspired Composite 3D Printing
Green Roof-Topped Circular Villas
Sou Fujimoto Designed the EARTH Villa in Okinawa Prefecture
Living Mycelium Installations
The Flight into Shadow Installation is Aesthetically Pleasing
Automated Solar Operations
Utility-Scale Solar Projects Adopt Robotic Maintenance Systems
Flippable Solar Lamps
Nomad is a Portable Solar Lamp That Switches Modes by Orientation.
Solar Manufacturing Infrastructure
INOX Air Products Builds a Nitrogen Pipeline for INA Solar
Prismatic Chapel Windows
The Eternal Light Installation is a Permanent Architectural Glass Artwork
Suspended Lighting Installations
En Temps Et Lieu Studio Designs a Stunning Installation
Grid-Connected Pavilions
Solar Electric Pavilion Powers the Grid and Charges Phones from Its Seats
Blue-Accented Rooftop Residences
Bruzkus Greenberg Embraces Tranquility & Intrigue in This Design
Challenging Photovoltaic System Deployments
JJA Solar and TÜV NORD Publish a Technical Document
Architectural Surface Solutions
Madrid's Continuous Linear Reimagines a Traditional Wood System
Metal Roof Topped Offices
Office in Hashima is Designed by PERMANENT Co., Ltd. and Atelier Nagara
Lightweight Solar EVs
Aptera Finishes its First Validation-Assembly Solar Vehicle
Vertical Rooftop Tiny Homes
Craft House Introduced The Erica Scandinavian-Finished Tiny Home
Large-Scale Solar Installation Technologies
UL Solutions Validates Voltage Energy Group
Practical Commercial Roofing Systems
TRUFAST Has Introduced the TruBond Induction Weld System
Terraced Coastal Roofscapes
Los Cabos Home by Zozaya Arquitectos Layers Roofs into Living Spaces