Building Integrated Solar

LAROS Technologies provides building integrated solar solutions including photovoltaic and solar thermal (heating) technologies.

LAROS are industry leaders in the design and implementation of building integrated solar technologies. LAROS is committed to providing education to the building industry. LAROS regularly delivers presentations on building integrated solar technologies at seminars and conferences. LAROS also provides masterclasses for the Green Building Council and is delivering a program to educate architects and engineers.

Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) offer an aesthetic, cost effective, efficient and functional substitute for traditional building materials. BIPV applications include facades, roofs, awnings and windows. Current and emerging technologies offer varying colours and levels of transparency and some are suitable for indoor applications. BIPV can also be used for daylighting or shading applications.

LAROS offers a selection of thin-film PV panels, ideal for external BIPV applications.

Building integrated solar thermal (BIST) is an ideal substitute for traditional in-slab heating systems in new buildings. BIST collectors can be integrated into the building envelope or externally mounted. BIST systems are a functional substitute for traditional space heating mechanisms offering a cost effective and aesthetically pleasing alternative. BIST can be used for in-slab hydronic heating or can be connected to an HVAC system providing hot water needs.

Thermally insulating products provide a functional building envelope significantly increasing the buildings energy efficiency and reducing the building's heating and cooling requirements.

LAROS offers RAICO's thermally broken aluminium curtain wall framing system. The RAICO system has an incredibly low U-value virtually eliminating thermal transfer. The RAICO system reduces building energy consumption and increases thermal performance. It is also suitable for mounting thin-film solar modules, providing a thermally efficient, aesthetic finish that produces energy.

Cost effectiveness:
BIPV can be implemented during construction offsetting the costs of conventional building materials and labour, providing a cost effective alternative. BIPV adds value to buildings and results in a reduction in operating costs and ongoing energy savings.

Energy reduction:
By implementing BIPV into a building, a significant reduction in energy usage is recognised resulting in cost savings. Energy reductions of between 20-30% or more are common for a green building (NABERS). BIPV provides an energy source at the point-of use resulting in more efficient energy consumption.

Energy Ratings:
Energy ratings are a means of comparing buildings, their environmental impacts and efficiency. BIPV enhances Green Star and NABERS ratings by providing an effective alternative source of energy for a building, reducing the building's life-cycle impacts and increasing operational efficiency.

Green Star rating
Green Star is a national environmental rating system evaluating building design and construction. Green Star is a benchmark for green buildings evaluating life-cycle impacts and encouraging whole building design.

NABERS rating
The National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) is a national rating system to assess the performance of existing buildings with consideration of environmental impacts due to operations and management of such impacts.

ROI:
Green buildings can result in a significant improvement of the return on investment. Green Star and NABERS rated buildings are more attractive to tenants and have been proven to yield higher rentals than non-rated buildings.

Building value:
With little (or no) additional cost required to implement, BIPV can increase the value of a building by reducing operating costs, providing potential income from feed in tariffs and attracting more tenants. Green buildings including BIPV can increase the property value and increase the aesthetic appeal. Incorporating BIPV into a building can attract grants and subsidies, and visible/noticeable BIPV can promote the environmental commitment of the developer/owner/tenant.

Active building:
The incorporation of BIPV can transform a building from a passive building to an active building. Substituting conventional building materials for BIPV can optimise a building design by managing heating, cooling, lighting and energy production, transforming the building envelope into an active surface.