I just had a distributor show me this:
http://www.bestmaterials.com/detail.aspx?ID=14958
It claims to adhere to both EPDM and BUR roofing, which to me suggests you could glue a Unisolar module to EPDM, then use this product to glue the EPDM to the BUR, opening up a wide range of possibilities for flexible thin films. Does anyone know of any reason why this might be a bad idea? Or is this already being done in a better way?
Thanks!
Comments
Unisolar only allows application to TPO or EPDM roofing membranes or sheetmetal panels. This could be a way to indirectly connect the unisolar to a built up roof (BUR) or modified bitumen (MB) roof - these are both older style (and well respected) flat roof materials. While this may satisfy the "letter of the law" with regard to their warrantee, if something happens to the module, the manufacturer, Unisolar, could argue with the application. The M-1 sealant is an awsome product - more tenacious than Sikaflex 1A - if that is possible. Here are some questions I woud ask:
Will the stacked up lamination cause additional thermal gain in the module?
Is it more cost effective to switch to tilted flat plate poly modules?
How old is the BUR roof? Why not just re-roof now with a nice "cool-roof" rated white TPO membrane and apply the modules on that?
Uni-Solar currently will approve applying the solar panel to mod-bit roofing. There is a certified way to complete this and still have a valid warranty. M-1 sealant is not an approved method, as Uni-Solar has not tested this product. There are products from CertainTeed, Derbigum and Soprema that will satisfy the certfication. Please contact someone from Uni-Solar to understand the process, so you will have a valid warranty.