BIPV experts and innovators of the patented Integrated Roofing (InRoof) Solar system – Ornate Solar announced that it has successfully commissioned a 745kW solar InRoof system at BL Agro’s new fully automated production facility at Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh.
By replacing 45,000 sq ft. of Metal sheets with Integrated Solar Panels this is now officially the largest Roof Integrated Solar System installed in India, 1.5 times larger than the previous installation done by Ornate Solar for Pangaea Stones in Rajasthan.
Installed at a height of 20 meters (65 ft.) and covering the entire roof area the system has been thoroughly tested against heavy rainfall and is warranted against water ingress.
The roof has been fully built using 1638 high-efficiency Mono-PERC modules with dual cell technology and 25 years performance warranty, and each panel is equipped with the latest generation of IQ7 Microinverters from Enphase Energy. Powered by advanced technology, the microinverters provide high production, enhanced reliability, and leading intelligence while also offering complete panel-level monitoring which allows for the entire system to be tracked on a real-time basis at any time and from anywhere.
Towards a greener future
“With Ornate, we are building a safe and aesthetically unique solar installation for B.L. Agro. B.L. Agro is a brand that understands the benefits of solar and acknowledges the significance of safety and quality for truly building sustainability in the long run. This Enphase-Ornate-B.L. Agro partnership is a distinguished example of technology paving the way for a green future.” said Sunil Thamaran, MD, Enphase Energy India.
The Ornate InRoof is the first-of-its-kind integrated solar system that can incorporate panels of any shape and size to replace conventional sheet metal to serve as a primary roof for industries. Designed, engineered, and manufactured by Ornate Solar’s in-house team, it can accommodate up to 26 percent more solar panels than conventional roof-mounted solar systems.
The removal of sheet metal roofs allows the solar panels to generate over 4-8 percent more energy because of free air circulation which lowers module back sheet temperatures by up to 15 degrees Celsius. As per a recent study by Norwegian researchers the elimination of metal sheets also reduces the likelihood of DC fires which have been found to exacerbate due to the limited air gap which exists when Solar panels are mounted on metal sheets.
Showcasing India’s Innovation in sustainable engineering
Commenting on the solar installation, Ornate Solar’s Executive Director, Aditya Goel, said, “The InRoof is a product of our continuous attempt to reimagine sustainability at Ornate. It is fully customisable and compatible with all types of solar modules. We are extremely grateful to Ashish Khandelwal for placing his trust in us and providing us the opportunity to showcase the innovation of India’s engineering talent at their state-of-the-art production facility in Bareilly.”
With an annual turnover of over ₹2,400 crores, B.L Agro has become one of the top FMCG companies in India. The organization, which had its beginning in edible oil manufacturing under its flagship brand Bail Kohlu, has now branched out into the manufacturing, processing, packaging, and marketing of all household food items.
With increasing awareness around their ‘Nourish’ brand of food products and the newly commissioned production facility, B.L Agro is ramping up its operations to cross ₹5,000 crores in revenue in the coming years.
With this installation Ornate has not only helped BL Agro offset 25,788 tons of C02 emissions but also set an example for other factories on embracing Solar Power to achieve carbon neutrality in their operations.
A Sustainable, Safe & Durable long-term investment
“Installing a solar energy management system at our production facility is a long-term investment in B.L. Agro’s sustainability efforts. We need the most efficient structure and best-in-class technology to power our solar installation in Bareilly. With Ornate Solar’s uniquely designed InRoof system and Enphase Energy’s advanced microinverter technology, the safety and durability of our solar system is no longer a concern,” said Ashish Khandelwal, MD, B.L. Agro Industries Limited.
The structural assembly on which the InRoof system has been built is made of High-grade pre-engineered steel sections, with the specialised purlins made of an Mn-Zn-Al composite having corrosion-resistant properties that ensure the system can withstand rusting, which is common in traditional steel.
A new version of the InRoof design which integrates insulation panels into the assembly is under testing at Ornate’s Delhi facility and would be cleared for commercial deployment within the next few months.
