A new roofing solution from Monier Roofing is helping a classic
inner-city Edwardian home in Dulwich Hill, New South Wales reduce their power
bills by a significant 30 to 50 per cent. The Bisnette family has installed
Monier SOLARtiles on their roof to deliver a seamless photovoltaic solution.
More than a million Australian homes have adopted solar technology to
counter the continuously rising energy costs. With energy prices expected to increase
in excess of 60 per cent over the next five years, these households are using solar
power systems to effectively minimise the burden of ever-increasing power
bills, while also helping the nation reduce its collective greenhouse gas
emissions and achieve the 2020 renewable energy target.
The Bisnette family decided to invest in a solar energy system primarily
to contribute to a cleaner, greener environment. Being relatively low users of
electricity, the family wanted to further reduce their carbon footprint by
investing in a renewable energy system.
Having considered all the environmental and economic benefits of
installing a photovoltaic solar system, the next challenge was finding the
right system that would work with the original Edwardian architecture of the
house. They also needed to replace their existing slate roof, which was in need
of major repairs; however, bolting on a series of less than attractive PV solar
panels to a new expensive slate roof would undoubtedly compromise the home's
architectural integrity.
Monier’s roofing systems provided the solution to their dilemma. The
entire roof was first replaced with new Monier Cambridge roof tiles featuring a
‘hewn stone’ finish to replicate the look, colour and texture of slate. Monier
terracotta saddles and gable finial scrolls were installed to accentuate the
ridge line and provide an added visual link to the home's Edwardian façade.
Stage two of this impressive roof restoration saw the installation of Monier’s
unique modular SOLARtile, which was retrofitted seamlessly into the new
Cambridge roof.
Monier SOLARtiles are designed specifically to integrate with the entire
range of flat profiled Monier roof tiles. Being modular in design, these tiles can
be installed in any configuration, including smaller roof sections to optimise
energy production. Unlike conventional bolt-on solar panels, Monier was able to
install a 2kW system entirely on one roof elevation, despite the shape and
relatively small size of the hipped roof area. Conventional solar panels would
have extended beyond the ridgeline, creating an unsightly appearance.
The Bisnette family is realising the financial benefits of generating
their own solar energy from their new Monier SOLARtile system with their power
bills having reduced by a significant 30-50 per cent.
