Solpod

Solpod demonstrates good design:

• Functionality: the first economically, redeployable rooftop solar solution; enabling renters access to the benefits of solar;
• Safety: moving 80% of person-hours from working at heights to a safe factory floor;
• Quality: industrialising solar install by pre-fabricating pods rather than assembling every component on the rooftop;
• Sustainability: expanding solar market to renters, and enabling reuse rather than scrapping.

This globally significant innovation was delivered by an interdisciplinary team of Victorian based designers, which encompassed industrial design, wind tunnel testing, structural and electrical engineering, manufacturing and full scale prototypes.

Social

• Renters can now benefit from solar, reducing electricity costs and contributing to addressing climate change.

Commercial

• Solpod makes solar more commercially viable for businesses who previously did not adopt solar.  Businesses benefit from Solpod with a 3 year commitment.
• Solpods can be purchased or leased, adding a new flexibility to commercial and industrial rooftop (C&I) solar.

Environmental

• Systems can be economically redeployed for reuse at alternative locations rather than scrapped as would be the case with a standard solar system.
• Higher adoption of solar by business, reducing carbon emissions and aiding in corporate sustainability and responsibility.

The project demonstrates how Australia’s world leading rooftop solar industry can deliver globally relevant innovation when partnering with Victoria’s professional design industry.

The globally innovative design required a holistic, multidisciplinary team of Victorian designers and engineers:

• Concept, installer experience and safety by Solpod
• 3D design by Studio Periscope
• Wind tunnel modelling by MEL Consulting
• Structural engineering by Tensys Engineers
• Electrical engineering by Clean Technology Partners
• Manufacturing by Aluminium Industries

Solpod has patents pending in Australia, North America, Europe & UK, and Asia.

We have exported Victorian manufactured pods to NSW and WA, and are developing export opportunities in USA and  Asia.

Despite being cheaper than the grid, most businesses choose to not adopt rooftop solar.  While solar is ‘cheaper,’ this assumes a 15 year period, which is appropriate for the technology but not for most businesses, who may be renters or plan on shorter horizons.

Solpod responds to businesses needing solar that could be relocated, leased and on flexible terms of 3 years.

Solpod has industrialised rooftop solar through the prefabrication of solar pods, that are efficient to install, remove and relocate.

Solpod’s groundbreaking technology means that for the first time, commercial rooftop solar can be economically redeployed.

The design enhances installer productivity by automatically unfolding and levelling, even on uneven rooftops.

Solpods may be secured using adhesive feet; the only non-penetrating solution for most metal roofs which would otherwise require screwing through thousands of holes.

Tilt orientation of panels smoothes the generation profile across the day, providing more consistent generation.

Solpod’s tilted panel enables air flow which provides superior thermal regulation, increasing generation efficiency and reducing wear on the panels.

Aerodynamically designed to reduce wind loads on the building, which was validated through wind tunnel testing, and enables more solar to be installed on more roofs.