Solar Tiles, also known as solar shingles or solar slates, are designed to look like ordinary roof tiles meaning they blend in with the rest of the roof and often considered to be less obtrusive than traditional solar panels being bolted on to roofs.
Tesla, the firm famed for making electric cars and batteries, recently unveiled their new solar roof tiles, which are expected to be rolled out by Sumer 2017. The product, is claimed to ‘look far better than any similar product’, and will be available in a range of styles and colours, being more durable and with better insulation qualities than conventional roofing. The cost of this new product, although not confirmed, is expected to be less than a conventional roof plus traditional solar.
As part of the unveiling of the solar roof tiles, there was also the launch of the ‘Powerwall 2’; a longer lasting home battery which will store any surplus energy from the solar panels. The battery makes the most of the solar tiles, by storing enough unused solar energy to power an average two bedroom home for a full day.
It is a major step forward for Solar PV technology. Much like BIPV (Building Integrated PV), it means larger areas (in this case, whole roofs) can be covered with panels, providing increased production of renewable energy. Solar tiles also provide suitable solutions where a dwelling has a listed status, or is within a conservation area, meaning you cannot bolt on solar panels.
Solar tiles have been available for some years, and although aesthetically pleasing, a stumbling block has been the higher cost compared to traditional panels, meaning a lower return on a solar investment. With Tesla claiming the product to be affordable, beautiful, and seamlessly integrated, we can expect to see more solar roof tiles in the future.
This Briary Energy website uses cookies to improve your user experience. We'll assume you're okay with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.