Vertical Solar Panels Open Rooftops to Clean Energy

Thousands of commercial buildings across Australia are about to gain access to solar power they thought was impossible.

Smart Commercial Energy just launched a game-changing vertical solar system that transforms rooftops previously off-limits for clean energy. Developed by Norwegian company Over Easy Solar, these prefabricated units weigh only 25-26 kilograms and add just 12 kilograms per square meter to roof structures.

The innovation solves a problem that has frustrated building owners for years. Traditional solar panels require heavy tilt frames and invasive roof work, making them impossible for buildings with load-bearing limits or design constraints.

These vertical photovoltaic units arrive pre-assembled and pre-racked. Installation takes roughly 15 minutes per kilowatt, with no tilt frames or drilling required.

Each compact unit measures about five feet by five feet and generates 200 watts of power. But the real magic happens in how they're oriented.

The vertical, east-west design shifts energy generation toward morning and afternoon hours instead of the typical midday spike. This means businesses get power when they actually need it, not just when the sun peaks overhead.

"On some buildings it's the only practical way to add solar at all," said Huon Hoogesteger, founder of Smart Commercial Energy. "On others, it can sit alongside existing panels and help smooth out the midday spike, delivering energy when businesses need it."

The Ripple Effect

Australia already leads the world with over 4.26 million rooftop solar systems generating 27.8 gigawatts of clean energy. This new technology could unlock thousands of additional rooftops that were sitting idle.

The lightweight design opens opportunities for older buildings, heritage structures, and facilities with weight restrictions that couldn't support conventional panels. Buildings that already maxed out their roof capacity can now add more generation without adding significant load.

Over Easy has already installed more than 1.3 megawatts across 40 buildings in 13 countries since founding in 2021. Smart Commercial Energy will start with carefully selected trial sites across Australia to test performance under local conditions.

The timing couldn't be better as energy costs continue climbing and businesses search for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Now even buildings that thought solar was off the table have a path forward.

Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come from simply looking at problems from a different angle.