Making better use of education roof space
School and college roofs increasingly have more to do than simply keep buildings weathertight. As education estates work towards lower-carbon operation, improved biodiversity and more effective surface water management, roof space can provide valuable opportunities to support several sustainability objectives at once.
DfE bio solar roofing solutions combine living green roof systems with photovoltaic (PV) technology, allowing renewable electricity generation and biodiversity to occupy the same roof area.
For new education projects, this can contribute towards sustainability objectives from the earliest design stages. It can also help project teams make more productive use of available roof space without treating solar generation, waterproofing and green infrastructure as separate considerations.
How does a bio solar roof work?
A bio solar roof positions photovoltaic panels above a living vegetation layer, combining renewable energy generation with the environmental benefits associated with a green roof.
Through the IKO Elements range, education projects can incorporate green roofs, rooftop solar, bio solar and blue roof configurations within a coordinated roofing specification.
- On-site renewable electricity generation
- Increased biodiversity
- Surface water management
- Support for biodiversity net gain objectives
- More effective use of otherwise unused roof space
- Additional water attenuation where blue roof elements are incorporated
Bringing these requirements together at specification stage can also help ensure drainage, maintenance access, waterproofing and photovoltaic positioning are considered as parts of the overall roof design rather than independently.
Waterproofing a DfE bio solar roof
The waterproofing solution beneath a bio solar system should be selected according to the roof structure, proposed build-up and individual project requirements.
For warm roof construction, IKO Roofgarden provides a reinforced bituminous membrane system incorporating a purpose-made capsheet with tested root resistance and an anti-root coating. IKO Roofgarden can form part of an on-site warm bio solar roof build-up aligned with DfE CF25 Section 2.3.22 and is supported by a 20-year guarantee when installed by an IKO Approved or Registered Contractor in accordance with the relevant specification.
Where an inverted construction is appropriate, IKO Permatec LI Anti-Root provides a fully bonded, monolithic hot melt waterproofing layer with integrated root resistance. This removes the requirement for a separate root barrier and can be used within an inverted bio solar configuration aligned with CF25 Section 2.3.20.
IKO Permatec LI also delivers up to 50% lower upfront embodied carbon than previous IKO hot melt systems, based on third-party verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) data.
Related article: CF25 roofing – waterproofing systems for Section 2.3 (Roofs) [internal link to be added when published].
Combining green roofs and solar PV
IKO works in partnership with Eco Green Group to support integrated bio solar roof design. The EGR SolarNature PV mounting system uses ballast rather than penetrating the waterproofing layer. This helps maintain waterproofing integrity while allowing light and rainfall to reach the vegetation beneath the panels.
Early collaboration can also help project teams consider panel positioning and photovoltaic yield, wind uplift, biodiversity, drainage, maintenance access, roof loading, build-up and long-term waterproofing performance. Where appropriate, digital modelling can support the planning of panel positioning, drainage routes and maintenance access, allowing available roof space to be used efficiently.
Looking beyond renewable energy
The sustainability opportunity extends beyond solar generation. Green roof systems can contribute towards biodiversity and surface water objectives, while IKO enertherm PIR and XPS insulation options can be incorporated to support the required thermal performance of the roof build-up.
IKO systems can also support project objectives including BREEAM, biodiversity net gain and stormwater management, subject to the selected specification and project requirements.
IKO and Eco Green Group are also working together on living walls at selected qualifying schools, helping create greener environments for pupils and staff while supporting biodiversity and local air quality.
Green roofing in practice: Oxlow Bridge SEND School
At Oxlow Bridge SEND School in Dagenham, a combination of IKO roofing technologies supported the development of a new 3,770m² net-zero-carbon facility for children and young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities.
The project incorporated IKO Permatec LI Anti-Root inverted waterproofing, IKO Armourplan single ply roofing and an IKO Elements extensive green roof, demonstrating how waterproofing and green infrastructure can be incorporated into a coordinated education roof design.
Supporting more sustainable education estates
Effective bio solar design starts with the whole roof system. By bringing together waterproofing, insulation, green infrastructure and renewable technology, IKO can work with architects, contractors, consultants and education project teams to develop solutions appropriate to the individual building and project objectives.
