Norwegian solar company unveils innovative vertical panel system

The Norwegian company Over Easy Solar proposes a new approach to installing photovoltaic roof panels. Their innovative method involves vertically mounting the panels instead of the traditional horizontal orientation, resulting in green photovoltaic roofs.

Over Easy Solar, a pioneer in rooftop photovoltaics, completed its second 102 kW project at the end of last year. This project follows a previous 45 kW installation. Both installations were done on the roofs of another Norwegian company, Solenergi Fusen.

According to information provided by PV magazine, the installation from Over Easy Solar covers an area of 12,917 square feet on the building's roof. An interesting element is planting vegetation under the panels. This creates an eco-friendly electricity source while also adding an extra layer of natural greenery, making the roofs even more "green."

The system developed by Over Easy Solar is designed for installation on flat roofs at low heights. Installation elements are partially assembled before delivery to the site, which shortens the installation time. The system uses bifacial modules with heterojunctions.

- The 102 kW installation was mounted in less than two days by four workers - said Over Easy Solar CEO, Trygve Mongstad, in an interview with pv magazine.

Over Easy's vertical photovoltaics use bifacial modules with a power output of 200 W each. The modules are available in two sizes: 63 inches by 59 inches by 14 inches, weighing 57 pounds, and 63 inches by 59 inches by 10 inches, weighing 55 pounds. Each module requires a ballast with a mass of 2.25 pounds per square foot.

Trygve Mongstad is convinced that the results from the pilot installation in Oslo were about 20-30% better compared to conventional systems mounted in an east-west orientation on flat roofs. These data indicate that innovative photovoltaic panel mounting techniques can bring significant benefits.