Lodha Villa Royale
Project Overview
Aelius, a solar solutions provider specialising in customised solar and building-integrated applications, was brought in to develop a solar solution for Lodha Villa Royale. Located in Upper Thane, Maharashtra, the all-villa estate comprises more than 180+ villas with five different roof layouts. The project became India’s first designer solar project to be net metered, marking a significant milestone in integrating customised solar technology with premium residential architecture.
With rising energy requirements and electricity costs, the project presented a clear opportunity to integrate solar power. However, the solution needed to complement the villas’ architectural character rather than compromise their aesthetics. This required a customised approach to panel design, sizing, and roof integration.
The Challenge: Solar Without Compromising Design
The primary challenge was to integrate solar technology without affecting the aesthetics of the villa roofs. The different roof configurations required panels in customised sizes and layouts rather than standard modules.
The installation also needed to be carefully planned around the existing roof shingles. Maintaining waterproofing while securing the solar system was an important consideration, alongside achieving meaningful energy generation within the available roof area.
This made a conventional solar roof installation unsuitable for the project. The solution had to balance design, space utilisation, installation requirements and energy performance.
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A Customised Solar Approach
Aelius developed two customised solar options for the project, allowing the villa design and energy requirements to be considered together.Option 1: Designer Solar Panels
Custom-crafted solar panels were designed to match the existing roof shingle pattern. Their customised dimensions enabled more solar capacity to be installed within the same space compared with conventional panels. The solution had a solar capacity of 8.83 kWp, comprising 57 panels and covering approximately 50 sq. m. of roof area. However, the designer solar panels offered approximately 35% lower energy generation than the full-black alternative.Option 2: Full-Black Solar Panels
As an alternative, full-black solar panels were considered to combine a similar aesthetic appeal with higher energy generation. The panels offered efficiency comparable to a standard solar panel while maintaining an appearance suited to the villa’s roof design. The technical specifications for both options were evaluated based on the same 8.83 kWp system capacity, with the full-black option providing an estimated annual generation of 6,600 kWh compared with 4,620 kWh for the Designer Solar option. The approach follows the same principle behind solar rooftiles, where solar technology is integrated with the roof design rather than treated as a separate visual element. The installation was designed to maintain the roof’s waterproofing. Hilti anchor fasteners were used to secure the solar system, with Candorr SR500 applied around the fixing points to help prevent water ingress.Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Designer Solar | Full-Black Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Solar capacity | 8.83 kWp | 8.83 kWp |
| Number of panels | 57 | 57 |
| Panel dimensions | 1500 × 600 mm | 1500 × 600 mm |
| Panel power | 155 Wp | 155 Wp |
| Panel thickness | 5 mm | 5 mm |
| Roof area covered | 50 sq. m. | 50 sq. m. |
| Estimated annual generation | 4,620 kWh | 6,600 kWh |
| Design approach | Roof-shingle matching | Full-black finish |
Project Outcome
The Lodha Villa Royale project demonstrates how solar can be integrated into premium residential architecture without relying on conventional panel layouts. By customising panel dimensions and appearance, the project could accommodate solar generation across varied roof configurations while keeping the villas’ visual character in focus.
The two options provided a clear choice between maximum design integration and higher energy generation. The designer panels prioritised a close match with the roof shingles, while the full-black option delivered higher estimated generation with a similarly refined appearance.
The project highlights the importance of customised engineering in residential solar applications, particularly where aesthetics, limited roof space and energy performance need to work together. Aelius, a manufacturer of BIPV and turnkey solar solutions, brings this approach to projects where solar performance needs to work seamlessly with architectural requirements.
Aelius at a Glance
- 80+ projects completed across solar and renewable energy applications
- 15 MW+ renewable energy installed
- 15+ years of experience in renewable energy and sustainability
- Expertise aligned with IGBC, GRIHA, BREEAM and CIBSE standards
- MNRE-empanelled for subsidy-related applications
Recognition & Industry Contributions
- Runner-up in the Innovative Solar Applications competition by MNRE and Germany, 2022
- 1 MW BIPV project inaugurated by the Hon. Prime Minister of India, 2022
- Panellist and curator for the first Indian BIPV Report by MNRE, CSIR and SUPSI, 2022