In 2022, Løren School in Oslo became the site of Over Easy Solar’s first green roof pilot project, integrating the Vertical Photovoltaic (VPV) Unit from Over Easy Solar with a sedum roof. Following the success of this initial phase, the second phase was installed during the summer of 2023, marking the first full-scale installation of Over Easy Solar’s technology. Today, the project has a total capacity of 46 kWp, covering an area of about 500 m² of the school’s roof.
Supported by Oslo's "Smart Oslo" Innovation Program
Both phases of the Løren School project were made possible with support from Oslo Municipality's “Smart Oslo” initiative. This innovation program is designed to give startups in Oslo the opportunity to pilot their technologies with municipal utilities. For the municipality, it represented a chance to demonstrate the combined potential of green roofs and solar energy.
The Løren School project not only showcases the potential of vertical solar panels but also highlights how Oslo Municipality through the Smart Oslo initiative promotes innovation, providing startups with real-world use cases to test and refine their products. This support mechanism is now a vital part of Oslo’s thriving startup ecosystem.
Pictures of the first pilot on Løren School from 2022 and the full installation from 2023 (swipe for more pictures).
A Model for Future Sustainable Buildings
The solar panels were retrofitted on an existing green roof installed by Bergknapp in 2018. The results from the Løren School pilot have been very positive. Andreas A. Nilsen from Oslobygg KF, shares his insights:
“We saw very good results from the first pilot in 2022 with regards to energy yield, and the green roof quality was even better under the panels than on the openly exposed sedum roof.” - Andreas A. Nilsen, Oslobygg KF
The project has since become a model for similar installations in many different countries. Over Easy Solar is now rolling out its technology to municipalities and building owners across Europe, in close collaboration with the renown green roof innovator and distributor Sempergreen. The Løren School project serves as an example of how integrating solar technology with urban green spaces can create energy-efficient and environmentally resilient buildings.
