Roof-mounted photovoltaic panels can seem like more trouble than they’re worth, considering the risk of roof damage and laborious installation. Enter the PV-Pod, a high-density polyethylene vessel that serves as both a solar panel’s support and ballast. Installers need only set the PV-Pod on the roof, fasten on the panel, and fill the pod with water to provide the mass needed to resist uplift. “By using simple weight, it’s a very simple solution,” said juror Jinhee Park. The 23-pound vessel (when empty) is adaptable in case the panel needs to be realigned or removed. “You drain it,” said juror Martina Decker. “The roof has been designed to receive water anyway, so there are many levels of why it makes sense.”


Project Credits

Project PV-Pod
Initial Installation Client City of Houston Central Permitting Center
Primary Investigators Joe Meppelink, Assoc. AIA (principal, MetaLab; director of applied research/adjunct assistant professor, University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture); Andrew Vrana (principal, MetaLab; visiting assistant professor, University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture); Travis McCarra (research and design assistant)
Project Development Grant University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, Green Building Components Program
Fabrication Deep South Plastics
Electrical Engineer Chris Boyer
Structural Engineer Insite Structures—Brad Dougherty