The exhibition organisers announced a record turnout following the smarter E Europe 2023 in Munich, aided largely by the 2,469 exhibitors from 57 countries and over 106,000 visitors from 166 countries. This made for an ideal framework for a diversified programme at Europe's largest energy industry platform.
More flexibility for all systems
In Hall C4, in the Intersolar Europe exhibition area, the company Richard Brink presented a broad range of products, including the Miralux solar substructures designed to satisfy a variety of requirements and use cases on flat roofs. The metal products manufacturer had previously refined its time-proven systems and expanded its portfolio by two new products. The company’s exhibition stand saw a constant flow of visitors, who were able to take in both the east-west and the south-facing solar substructures, all of which are well-established on the market. While the manufacturer had not made any changes to the systems’ fundamental, straightforward assembly, which has always been possible without tools or penetration of the roof cladding, the new product name hints at a sophisticated revision. From now on, both versions of the substructure will be available as Miralux Flex products. Under this new name, Richard Brink will provide flexible module clamps as standard with its systems. These adjustable mounting fixtures enable various commercially available panels to be attached to the structures, allowing customers to benefit from maximum flexibility when assembling photovoltaic systems, irrelevant of panel manufacturer.
Combining the best of two worlds
Two solutions for integrating solar modules into extensive green roofs have also been added to the portfolio. Not only do they allow the combination of planting and photovoltaics on new builds, they also enable established green roofs to be retrofitted. The green-roof mounting system produced by the metal products manufacturer is suitable for both use cases. The 60cm-high raised block is screwed underneath the east-west solar substructures produced by Richard Brink. If planting is already present on the roof, space has to be made only where the ballast blocks will later be positioned on the roof surface. Suitable ballast options are available in polymer concrete, which can also be screwed to the mounting system. One variant weighing 16kg features a flat base plate which then allows the granulate and sedum mat to be laid up to the transition from ballast to mounting system for a clean look and finish.
Planting and ballast in one
The Miralux Green presents a special solution for new builds. Available for east-west and for south-facing systems, the substructure brings together roof planting and panel mounting in one solid system. Using support plates and a glass fibre mesh, the extensive green roof layer is incorporated into the substructure in such a way that it also doubles as a form of ballast across the entire roof surface. This drastically reduces or, depending on the roof structure and position, even does away with the need to use additional weights. As the range of products offered by Richard Brink GmbH & Co. KG also includes integrated systems for extensive roof planting, customers can purchase all of the necessary components for their combined green roof and photovoltaic system from a single source.
The conversations held at the exhibition stand stressed the need for precisely these types of solutions. “It was clear from the consultations we had with trade visitors that alongside aspects such as the swift availability and ease of use of the solar substructures, customers are also looking for ways of combining the structures with roof planting. We were therefore really pleased to see such an interest in our solutions, which meet precisely these requirements. The huge array of options available on the market with countless systems and alternatives makes individual, face-to-face consultations all the more essential. The Intersolar Europe gave us the perfect setting for this,” summarised Managing Director Stefan Brink at the end of the trade fair.
(approx. 4,720 characters)
