This photovoltaic solar roof tiles They are simply made of tiles, like those that form the roof of many houses and buildings, but have the peculiarity of being equipped with solar cells to convert solar energy into electricity. In other words, as if they were ordinary photovoltaic panels, but in a reduced size and adapted to the format of this object, so that they are completely invisible visually.
The first was presented by two Portuguese universities in 2009 and since then this system has only evolved. Photovoltaic solar roof tiles are attracting more and more people’s attention, although some important aspects need to be considered.
The advantages of these tiles start with their aesthetics, because no one (except experts) will notice that these are actually solar panels.. In addition, if the roof is large enough, it can meet all the electricity needs of the house.
Energy can be stored in batteries and there are already some commercialized at affordable prices for the domestic market.
Moreover, if any tile breaks or malfunctions, that unit can be replaced without having to replace the assembly of the installation or most of it.
Likewise, they can be installed on any type of roof, whether pitched or flat, which is most recommended.
More expensive than traditional panels
Now, apart from its advantages, solar tiles have some disadvantages to consider when making a decision.
It is a technology that is still more expensive than traditional panels., but some companies like Tesla are already innovating to make them cheaper. Therefore, the initial investment is more important than a lifetime of slabs, but even so, it continues to be amortized over a reasonable period of time, as highlighted by the specialized portal Ecoinventos.com.
Another disadvantage is that cleaning is a little more difficult than conventional panels, especially due to the difficulty of accessing the roof.
Likewise, the fixed, non-changeable aspect should be taken into account when laying the tiles.
Solar tiles, such as panels, have a long lifetime, normally more than 20 years.. But this will vary depending on the brand and manufacturer as well as the setup itself.
The warranty period will also vary from case to case, but may be around 20 years, while the durability guarantee covered by the tiles themselves may cover the entire lifetime of the house.
And precisely the biggest advantage of this system over traditional panels is, shingles are more resistant. They are more durable and can withstand the harsh weather conditions they are exposed to. They are also fire resistant.
Manufacturers all over Europe
There are several manufacturers of such material in Europe. According to Ecoinventos.com, two large companies in Italy, Area Industrie Ceramiche and REM have joined forces to produce them. They make a tile called ‘tegolasolare’, which is a red tile with four solar cells. 40 square meters of this type of tiles can generate up to 3 kWh of electricity.
Other companies producing solar panels are SRS Energy, REM SPA, Italian or German Autarq, as well as ZEP BV, Dutch or spanish masquerade. Not to mention Tesla/SolarCity.
Other companies in Spain Solarmass and Tejas Borja with Ergosun and Solar Flat products.
Since the prices for these installations vary widely depending on the home in question and many other features, it’s best to go to a professional installer for a quote.
Solar tiled roofs have a long way to go, as aesthetics is an important part of the home and there are always many people who want to avoid the presence of photovoltaic panels that are not very aesthetically pleasing. As always, it’s about evaluating costs, benefits, advantages and disadvantages.
Reference article: https://ecoinventos.com/tejas-solares-fotovoltaicas/
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Contact address of the environment department: crizclimatica@prensaiberica.es
Source: Informacion
James Sean is a writer for “Social Bites”. He covers a wide range of topics, bringing the latest news and developments to his readers. With a keen sense of what’s important and a passion for writing, James delivers unique and insightful articles that keep his readers informed and engaged.