Many homeowners are hesitant to install solar panels due to the appearance of the panels on their roof or because they fear damage to the roof during installation. With this in mind, Lumeta Solar sought to create a product that adheres to the roof, which does not require holes in the roof for installation: adhesive solar panels.
The product’s adhesive backing allows it to be installed about twice as fast as conventional rack-mounted solar panels.
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What are Lumeta Adhesive Solar Panels and how do they work?
Unlike traditional solar panels, Lumeta solar panels are self-adhesive, meaning you won’t need any framing or holes in your roof to attach the panels to your home or business.
Panels come with an industrial strength butyl tape covered with a backing paper. Once the installers remove the paper, place the panel on the roof and apply pressure, they stick well.
These solar panels are not classified as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), like Tesla’s solar tiles. This is because they do not replace the roofing material, but rather sit on top of the existing roof like traditional solar panels.
New Lumeta modules can be removed from the roof, but ideally you should combine the installation with a new roof so that you don’t have to pay the additional labor costs of removing and reinstalling the technology. To remove the panels, installers place a thermal blanket over them and pull on the panel. Additional adhesive pads may be required to reattach equipment.
Comparison between Lumeta Solar adhesive panels and traditional panels
Lumeta’s offer is interesting in many ways, but how do you know if it’s right for you? Here are some factors to consider when comparing Lumeta’s adhesive option to traditional solar panels:
Aesthetic
Lumeta solar panels are low profile, so their appearance is more seamless than traditional panels. They have a maximum depth of 22mm taking into account the frame, and the solar cells themselves are only 4mm deep. In comparison, solar panels are typically at least 30mm deep. The Lumeta panels also have an all-black look.
Cost
As a new technology with limited production, the price of a Lumeta solar panel is likely to be higher than that of traditional modules produced by major manufacturers. That being said, one of the biggest selling points for installing Lumeta’s Adhesive Panels is not the cost of the equipment itself, but rather the low costs associated with installation time and labor. -work.
Why can installation costs be so low? For starters, these panels weigh less than traditional solar panels. Their most recent model, the Lynx 60 Comp, weighs around 12 kg. Solar panels are heavier, usually weighing around 40 pounds. Lumeta’s lightweight panels make the installation process easier because installers don’t have to carry as much weight on the roof.
Since no framing is required with these panels, installers do not need to drill holes in the ceiling, which also means a less labor intensive installation. The easier the job, the faster the installation and the lower the installation cost.
Efficiency and performance
There are two Lumeta Lynx options: the 60 cell and the 72 cell. Both options have similar power output under test conditions compared to leading solar panel manufacturers.
The Lynx 60 is a 300W panel designed for residential installations, with an efficiency of 18.1%. The Lumeta 72 is a 360W solar panel with an efficiency of 18.3%, intended for installation primarily on commercial properties.
What is the difference with traditional panels? Most panels are rated between 250W and 365W, but options closer to 400W are available. In terms of efficiency, Lynx modules exceed industry standards. Most solar panels have efficiencies ranging from 15-17%, while premium modules have efficiencies ranging from 18-23%.
guarantee
Lumeta products offer both a product warranty and a linear performance warranty, similar to what most panel manufacturers offer.
Their product warranty, aimed at protecting buyers against defective products, lasts for 10 years, which is also the industry standard for many panels. Other premium panel manufacturers offer 25-year warranties on their products.
Lumeta’s performance guarantees protect against degradation of your technology. The duration and power guaranteed in the warranties are in line with the industry standard offered by many competing panel manufacturers. It stipulates that the power of your panels will not decrease by more than 3% in year 1, and not more than 80% in year 20.
Types of facilities
Lumeta panels are not ideal for all types of installations. On the one hand, to use this technology it must be installed on a roof. If what you’re looking for is a floor-mounted system, these adhesive panels won’t be your best option.
In addition, Lumeta panels can only be installed on roofs made of specific materials, namely tile and asphalt. For shingles, additional inserts are required to keep the panel level. In comparison, traditional solar panels combined with roof racks and frames can be installed on almost any type of roof, including metal, tile, asphalt and more. With the proper mounting hardware, they can even be installed on slate or tile roofs, although it is often more expensive and difficult to find an installer to do so.
Adhesive panels can also be installed on flat roofs, but may produce less energy than a traditional installation of panels on a flat roof. With these types of installations, solar companies often tilt the panels so they can capture the optimal amount of sunlight, maximizing power generation and energy savings. This is not possible with Lumeta panels as they are designed to be glued flush to your roof.
More information: www.lumetasolar.com
