The roof is built in 2 slopes:
- On the North side, I have built a small vegetable garden.
- On the South side, I have installed solar panels,
The roof has a single layer, meaning there is NO tile under the solar panels, nor under the pots in which the vegetables grow!
There are multiple reasons why I initiated this project:
- Roofs have large surfaces, but they are used for only one purpose: to protect the house from rain and snow. We should have more benefits from these large surfaces! For example, we could get electricity and food from these surfaces!
- Solar panels are mounted on top of the tiles. There are 2 layers basically. This is a waste of material, because solar panels are resistant enough to protect the house from rain and snow. They can be used as tiles. But it needs to be well-insulated.
- Vegetables need little soil, while trees need a lot more. We could plant only trees at ground level and vegetables on the roof.
- I started with an old roof, which needed renovation.
The building on which I built the roof has a footprint of 15x7m. Currently, on the South side, I have installed solar panels spanning a width of 6.5m. On the North side, the hanging garden is 1.3m wide and 4.5m long. The rest of the roof is covered with sheet metal tiles. I plan to extend the ideas to the entire roof, depending on the test results.
I made the roof structure of iron. I tried to avoid wood as much as possible. Trees have a much more important function than being used in construction: to produce clean air! I did use wood for the laces under the tiles, for the support of the plant gutters, and on the front side (OSB).
TrussesThe trusses (queen type) are built from an 80x40x3 profile, but with a 60x40x3 base and interior elements. One truss weighs approximately 100 kg.
Initially, I intended to build everything in Lego style, without welding, only by mechanical fastening. The beams, rafters, etc. should have been connected only by screws. I built 2 trusses in this way, but then I gave up because the iron at that length (7m) was deforming and the components were no longer joining properly.
I used 13 trusses along the entire length of the house.
The solar panels are placed between T40 metal profiles. I attached the panels to the T40 from inside the attic. Between the profiles and the solar panels, I left a 3-4mm space in which I put silicone.
Due to the incorrect application of the silicone (a beginner's mistake), a few holes were left through which water entered. So, I had to put a bituminous waterproofing tape, which would not have been necessary if I had applied the silicone correctly.
Technical details - the gardenThe vegetables are grown in rectangular gutters (120x90mm) made of 0.6 mm sheet metal. I planted them at the ground level because it was easier.
The gutters are placed on two wooden supports (a board 4.5m long, 14 cm wide and 4cm thick) cut in steps.
The angle of the roof (38 degrees) is calculated so that these gutters fit together perfectly (the bottom corner of one ends where the top corner of the next begins).
The insulation between the gutters is made with a 75mm wide bituminous tape. I attached the gutters to the wooden support with self-tapping screws.
Inside the gutters, I put (only close to the ends) pieces of wood so that I could step on them when I climb up to take care of the vegetables. But in the future, I will put some pieces of 80x80 pipe as a support for the leg.
At the moment, I have grown tomatoes and peppers, which have borne fruit. I have also sown lettuce and spinach, but they have come out very poorly (I only sowed them in July), and a few days ago I threw some wheat grains on them, which have sprouted very well.
As can be seen in pictures, there are no tiles behind solar panels or gutters.
The electrical installation (solar part) in the house was done by me using Victron equipment. I haven't connected it to the grid yet, but I'm using some Pylontech batteries. The switch from solar to the grid is done automatically when there is no power from the solar/batteries.
LocationThe roof is located at: str. Gh. Lazăr 9, Cugir town, Alba county, Romania. Google Maps location is: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KsL6PsEaSgzJYHLw7
Other infoA video with the exterior and interior of the roof can be found on YouTube:
The website for this project can be found at:
The CAD files for this project can also be found there (but they don't currently contain all the details). The license is MIT.
DisclaimerI personally do NOT build roofs. I did this project out of a personal passion.
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