High quality and aesthetically pleasing energy roof with great design freedom: PV panels and roof windows in one flat line

Emergo responds to this with Navitect, a functional and highly attractive in-roof system in which frameless PV panels form the roofing and in which roof windows and roof penetrations can be seamlessly integrated.

From gutter to ridge and chimney: everything Emergo. Following this philosophy, Emergo's 160 employees have been developing, prefabricating and assembling total solutions for the building envelope since 2004. A high-quality, sustainable shell and renewable energy management are the main priorities. A great development in this context is Navitect, which director Koos Wessels says is "the best energy roof of its kind". "Navitect combines the best of three worlds and is attractive, functional and easy to install. The system really adds something to the home."

Aesthetic whole

For the functionality of the space under the roof, it is often desirable to install one or more roof windows. However, when these roof windows are combined with PV panels, it quickly creates a kind of "Tetris" on the roof. Working closely with roof window suppliers Velux, Fakro and Roto, Emergo has developed a solution. 

"For all brands, we have designed and extensively tested a unique system where the roof windows and PV panels fit seamlessly," Wessels said. 

"In addition, we worked with a hard glass manufacturer to develop an aesthetic solution for the roof penetrations, where the glass is given the print of a PV panel. The result is one aesthetic whole. This appeals greatly not only to architects, but also to urban planners, contractors and residents."

Large design freedoms

Emergo offers solutions for both renovation and new construction projects. Whereas with Navitect I the EPDM layer forms the waterproofing, with Navitect II and Navitect IIR the waterproofing is integrated into the system. "The systems are constantly being further developed, based on developments and wishes in the market," says Wessels. "Within the series, architects also have great design freedom. For example, in sizes and capacities (300-370 Wp) of the panels. They can also choose a portrait or landscape laying direction. With portrait mounting, slightly larger roof windows can be incorporated."

The energy roof is fully prepared in Emergo's new and state-of-the-art factory in Almelo. At the construction site, the PV panels need only be laid as roof tiles, Wessels emphasizes.

"All the features needed on the back of the PV are already installed in our factory and under conditioned conditions on our prefabricated system roofs. And also the roof windows and roof penetrations are already integrated. This allows us to guarantee a quick turnaround time for installation and connection. In addition, the Navitect II system does not require grounding. The panels are frameless glass panels, which are laid on top of each other in a tile-like fashion. The result is very attractive, for example in combination with flat roof tiles. In the future, we hope to roll out Navitect for installers as well, so that they can also apply the system to their roofs. The developments for this have already started."