WHY ARE SO MANY HOUSEBUILDERS SIGNING UP WITH VIRIDIAN SOLAR? 

Viridian Solar is a UK-based manufacturer of roof integrated solar panels. Designed at their headquarters in Cambridge, the Clearline Fusion range of photovoltaic solar panels fit in the roof and take building integration of solar to the next level. So why are house builders turning to Viridian Solar for their solar PV requirements? The answer is a combination of factors.

The Product

To start with they have a fantastic fully integrated solar PV system called Clearline Fusion which is perfect for the housing market. Fusion achieves the highest fire rating and exceptional wind resistance without the need to purchase extra roofing battens or require you to modify the roof below. No other roof integrated system can achieve this consistently. With a patented connection method, that panels simply slide together to create a weathertight seal and roof fixing. Add this with a bottom flashing made from lead rather than cheap plastic alternatives. Fusion gives you a complete system without compromise.

Wind Loading – Clearline Fusion boasts wind loading results more than 4x higher than competitors. Crucially, it achieves this as a standard kit and without modifications to the roof structure below. Housebuilders benefits from peace of mind that what is actually installed is will achieve the required wind resistance as the whole system is proprietary.

Design Support

The system is only part of the reason housebuilders are choosing Clearline Fusion. Here in Cambridge, we have a team of designers who assist house builders with SAP calculations, site plans, standard house-type drawings and specifications. This means developers can settle on a certain design for their specific house types throughout the country which enables the Quantity Surveyor (QS) to more easily tender and get like-for-like quotations. The QS might have three or four contractors tendering and some may offer various lower-quality alternative products and system sizes that are not like for like. 

Smooth Running on Site

Due to the popularity of the system, we are now working with the top installers nationwide. Working with Clearline fusion helps housebuilders pick the right contractor for their needs. Whether the installation will be part of the electrical contractor’s package, or in with the roofing contractor, or installed by a specialist solar PV installation company, Clearline fusion works well:

Electrical Contractor –Since solar PV is an electrical generation technology, putting the solar PV into the electrical package often makes sense to housebuilders. Combining costs of the PV installation with carrying out the normal domestic electrical works can yield savings.

However, if a solar system requires extra timber or roof modifications then this can cause issues at the interface with the roofing contractor. The Clearline Fusion system gives clear boundaries between the roofing and panel installation and requires no modifications to the roof.

Roofing Contractor - By appointing a roofing contractor to install the solar, you put the entire roofing package with one subcontractor. The weatherproofing performance of the roof has clarity of responsibility. There is also no waiting for multiple contractors to coordinate to make sure the solar is installed and the tiling is finished properly around the system. 

Solar PV specialist – by using a solar PV specialist you are getting an expert in the solar field. A solar PV specialist is likely to have a greater knowledge on all elements of the solar installation including products like inverters and new technologies such as battery storage. Their greater buying power in solar could lead to lower prices. However, by adding an extra contractor it could mean that more coordination is required between trades and may lead to delays on site.

Maintenance

Clearline Fusion does not require an annual inspection to ensure there is no debris build up between the back of the panel and their flashing. The way their flashing fits into their frame ensures it is watertight therefore it is not possible for any debris to get in or under their panels.

Conclusion

Clearline Fusion is a building material that is not only competitively priced. It also ticks all the boxes. Many customers from the building industry compare the system to a leading brand of roof window, and we can see why.

Viridian Solar deliver not only the best in the product, they also also deliver on the design, customer care and the on-site service for our customers.