Building roofs that are both greened and equipped with photovoltaic modules are an important component in the climate change adaptation of settlements. With planting, they provide an improvement in the microclimate and support the energy transition with solar power. "To date, the potential of roofs for the resilience of our cities and communities is far from exhausted," says Daniela Dietsche, a biodiversity expert at the Lake Constance Foundation based in Constance.
For the realization of such solar green roofs, smooth cooperation between all the trades involved is crucial. The Bodensee-Stiftung, the Bildungsakademie der Handwerkskammer Karlsruhe and the Weiterbildungszentrum für innovative Energietechnologien der Handwerkskammer Ulm "WBZU", the Landesinnungsverband des Dachdeckerhandwerks Baden-Württemberg and the Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e. V. (BuGG) are therefore partnering to develop a cross-trade training program for skilled personnel in the construction sector.
Publicy funded
The measure is being funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economics, Labor and Tourism as one of six new and innovative continuing education projects for a sustainable construction industry as part of the "Weiter.mit.Bildung@BW" continuing education campaign. When handing over the funding notifications to the project sponsors, Minister of Economics and Labor Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut said in Stuttgart: "We need continuing education formats on sustainable, climate-friendly technologies" and continued: "Various approaches are needed to advance the transformation in the construction industry. That's why it's good that we are promoting thematically and didactically diverse projects."
All interfaces in view
The special feature of the project "Joint further training in solar-green roof combinations for tradesmen from the various trades involved and energy consultants* (GeWeGE@skills.BW)": The further training has all interfaces in view, so that a complication-free design of the roof is ensured from the planning to the installation of the PV system. Addressed are electrical installation, garden and landscape construction, roofers, energy consultants, planners as well as responsible persons from municipalities.
For a successful PV-green roof combination, the know-how of all trades involved is required. "Green roofs can improve climatic conditions both in the building and in the built environment, they manage precipitation water, can contribute to air pollution control and noise reduction, and provide habitats for various animal and plant species," says. Gunter Mann, president and CEO of Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.. In combination with PV, he says, various success factors are particularly important, such as avoiding shading, sufficient row spacing of PV modules and cross-trade planning.
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Patrick Birnesser, managing director of the Landesinnungsverband des Dachdeckerhandwerks Baden-Württemberg, points out. "The roofing trade is a very important trade when it comes to implementing the energy and climate change. The combination of green roof and PV is a building block in this, and we as the state guild association have also been active for years with corresponding further training seminars. We are looking forward to the now upcoming joint project, which illustrates the innovative power and importance of the craft."
Information about current promotions supplements training
In addition to the technical basics for the successful construction of solar-green roof combinations, the training will provide an overview of current subsidies at the state and federal level, as well as an outlook on future trends and how to expand market presence. Regional demonstration centers that show the added value of solar green roofs will support the advanced training and raise awareness among trades, municipalities, consultants and the public. Field trips are an integral part of the continuing education.
"The training means a valuable additional qualification for the participants and thus ensures the competitiveness of the trades," says Dimitri Vedel, program manager Energy Transition at the Lake Constance Foundation, adding, "With the training, we create understanding of the need for the combination of PV and green roof and support the transformation of the economy towards sustainability."
Demand for know-how for green roof-PV combination will increase
At the latest with the start of the subsidy for solar-green roof combinations planned for the end of 2023 through the federal program Natural Climate Protection, a greatly increased demand can be expected, for which the companies can prepare and qualify themselves professionally within the framework of the training courses within this project.
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The Lake Constance Foundation contributes its competencies in the areas of energy transition and biodiversity to the project. Dimitri Vedel assesses the green roof-PV combination as "a win-win-win situation." According to the energy expert, numerous municipalities in Baden-Württemberg have recognized this and, for example, have specified solar green roofs for their commercial areas.
In the long term, further training should be a fixed component of the training courses offered by the educational academies and the Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V. (German Building Green Association). (hcn)
