Solar panels like shingles

In this post we will analyze everything about Solar panels like shingles , their advantages, disadvantages and comparison with solar panels.

The operation of solar tiles occurs in the same way as photovoltaic panels that are already widely used in construction. The difference is in their assembly, since these elements are part of the roof construction from the beginning, that is, they make up the new roof in a modular way while the panels are screwed to an existing roof.

Related: Photovoltaic Solar Glass Roof Tiles

Solar panels like shingles

The tiles are made up of photovoltaic cells that, when they receive sunlight, create an electric field capable of providing electricity for use inside the building. Each tile is connected by cables to the power distribution board.

Power generation through solar energy harvesting is directly related to the amount of sunlight the tiles are exposed to, and this is obviously related to the weather and location of the project. How can you guess, sunny days are more energy efficient than cloudy days.

Maintaining and cleaning shingles is essential to ensure maximum effectiveness. In addition, it is recommended to choose solar tiles that are arranged side by side (without overlapping), as opposed to traditional ceramic tiles, as this prevents shadow areas from being generated where it is impossible to capture sunlight.

Main uses of photovoltaic solar roof tiles

These types of solar panels for roofs are suitable for any installation, whether photovoltaic self-consumption or for an installation isolated from the electrical network . The only thing you have to take into account is when to put the solar tile, since being for a newly built house the amortization time of the installation will be much less than if you have a house in which you have to remove the roof to put this another new one.

It is a great solution for newly built homes and to architecturally integrate photovoltaic production on the roof.

These solar modules are connected to the inverter in the same way as a conventional solar panel, making installation even easier. On the other hand, it should be noted that a solar roof can be mounted on any surface, be it on the conventional roof of a house, on a roof for a garage or on the porch where you eat quietly on the weekend.

As we have mentioned before, these tiles are made with ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) used in the luxury shipbuilding industry capable of withstanding bad weather, rain, cold, heat, wind and salt without any problem. In addition to their mechanical properties, our solar roof tiles are fully approved and comply with all European certificates. This is a clear example to have free electricity in your home.

Within the market there is also the Tesla solar tile that offers good performance, but currently it is a product that we do not know when it will arrive in Spain and under what conditions, but what we do know is that it will have a much higher price per square meter.

When to install solar tiles?

It is recommended that you consider installing photovoltaic shingles if you are building a building from scratch.

Having a high installation cost (which in approximately 5 years becomes a considerable saving), solar roof tiles are commonly used in corporate buildings that seek certifications related to sustainability. However, they are now also being installed in some high-end multi-family homes, which aim to reduce the costs of conventional electricity.

It is possible (and desirable) for this type of solution to be found in all types of buildings, even (and preferably) in popular homes, since generating your own energy reduces living costs and increases the autonomy of any family.

Advantages

– They are an excellent source of renewable energy for regions with high solar incidence.
– They are visually more attractive and discreet than traditional photovoltaic panels, since they are part of the roof design and are not installed afterwards. There are options that even mimic the appearance of slate stone tiles or ceramic tiles, going completely unnoticed.
– They are a good option for the energy rehabilitation of buildings in conservation and/or historic areas (when alterations are authorized).

Disadvantages

– They are new on the market and therefore still more expensive than traditional photovoltaic panels.
– There are still few manufacturers and few skilled labor for installation. Some of the largest producers in the market are Tesla Solar, Hanergy and Eternit.
– Unlike solar panels, they cannot be installed at angles other than the original roof design, making it more difficult in some cases to optimize energy capture efficiency. However, this can be an advantage if the roof is properly designed for this purpose, from the project’s inception.

Solar roof tiles Vs solar panels

Undoubtedly, the main advantage of solar tiles is the architectural and aesthetic integration in the home.

On the other hand, although its price is undoubtedly higher than that of a common photovoltaic module, in the case of newly built homes or roof renovations, this price will be compensated, because the cost of the solar tile will have to be discounted. of the current tile that we will replace, being the cost of installation labor, in both cases, equivalent.

In terms of production and efficiency with solar tiles it is necessary to install between 9 and 11 square meters to obtain 1 Kwp, while with ordinary photovoltaic solar panels to obtain 1Kwp, about 7 m2 of solar panels will suffice.

Undoubtedly, the development of  photovoltaic solar energy  moves in the direction of being integrated into buildings in an integral way, both in the form of photovoltaic windows, solar tiles, etc; However, today these solutions, from our point of view, are interesting in cases where aesthetics prevail.

Finally, it should be noted that these solar panels for roofs are compatible with all our inverters,  solar kits , etc…

Basically this is everything you need to know about solar tiles,