Converting to solar energy means covering a roof in unsightly solar panels. Not necessarily: Philadelphia company SRS Energy has developed the Solé Power Tile, a roof tile designed to sustainably convert sunlight into electricity without compromising aesthetics. The dark blue tiles, manufactured by SRS Energy, are jointly branded and distributed by US Tile and specifically designed to be compatible with the clay roof tiles manufactured by US Tile. Customers who purchase clay tiles will be given the option to upgrade a section of their roof to Solé Power Tiles. When installed, the system can offset a large proportion of a homeowner's energy costs—not to mention cleaning their carbon conscience. The tiles are available in select West Coast markets this autumn, with a nationwide rollout planned for spring 2010.
SRS Energy says that the Solé tiles, made from a high-performance polymer often used in car bumpers, are lightweight, unbreakable and recyclable. Flexible solar technology by United Solar Ovonic is embedded inside each tile, allowing them to function independently of each other. Meanwhile, the performance of the system as a whole is monitored remotely by SRS Energy and US Tile. The director of engineering at SRS Energy is J.D. Albert, who also developed the electronic ink technology used in Amazon Kindle and the Sony Reader.
What's so attractive about the Solé Power Tile system he and his team have produced is that it makes it easy for consumers to make a green choice, without having to settle for a product they find unappealing. With more tile styles and colours in the pipeline, SRS Energy could soon be enjoying a big chunk of eco-bounty, as will any other company that can remove the disincentives from sustainable technology.
Website: www.srsenergy.com
Contact: www.srsenergy.com/ContactUs.aspx
Spotted by: Anne-Marie Fischer
These roof tiles are expensive, non-productive, and vaporware.
You are the latest victim of the marketing fraud perpetrated by SRS Energy.
There is nothing green about the atrocious dark-blue color of the plastic "solar" tiles. Regarding the aesthetics, don't get fooled by the nice picture of the blue roofs - SRS Energy are master forgerers, using image editing software to digitally color actual red clay (non-solar) tiles in blue!
These solar tiles won't generate much electricity, and will unperform regular glass panels because the curvature prevents the PV material from facing the Sun optimally. They are also almost 2x as expensive (per Watt power) as regular solar panels. Moreover, Unisolar material is known to degrade over 1% a year (per NREL testing, in likely violation of its warranty), which will considerably reduce the generation potential over time (high quality regular solar panels degrade only at about 0.5% a year). Regarding the plastic - ever wonder why there aren't many plastic (non-solar_ tiles used? Finally, ever wonder where the consumer will get replacement dark-blue tiles (if some ever get damaged), once SRS Energy is out of business? Remember, solar is a long term investment (20+ years required, at least, for it to pay off).
And in terms of incentives - there won't be any State ones as these solar tiles are not certified as PV modules (not on the SB1 list), and may never get certified as they are a potential fire hazard (the Unisolar laminates ignited on the rooftop of the Long Beach Convention Center in February of 2008).
Details (including identification of the fake pictures) are available here:
http://ecdfan.blogspot.com/2009/06/marketing-of-solar-tile.html
What? I was getting so excited about this and what it could do in Africa until i saw the above comment about it being a fake!!!!!
bummer
A kind of good theme about **** would be used by freelance writer , I’m sure.
WHAT A GREAT PRODUCT......LOVE IT.....The Panels capture more of the fulllight spec. The ratings that they are compared to only capture portions of the light spec. That is why the untrained think it is a lower eff.
not fake this are real, release date coming soon, also other roofing applications
This is a wonderful breakthrough because the unsightliness of solar panels has been a major obstacle to homeowners buying solar. Our website, www.theunrulymob.com, which writes about what boomers do in retirement, is presently reporting a story about how seniors are finding good jobs selling solar in Arizona. With the tax credits, utility credits, and roof tiles like these, I would expect sales to take off even more.
Great idea, i do not like the colour though
Africa?? They should build houses first before considering roof tiles...
A great idea, a poor execution. In order to buy into it, they must convince me of cost efficiency and construction performance. We must not forget the initial task of a roof tile (keep the water and wind out, while maintaining a good ventilation). This product or the evolution of it will be successful once it will be less expensive than today's combination of classic tiles with solar panels and with the same performances or better. I don't think classic solar panels are sooo ugly, this is what they call "create a need, and then fulfill it". For the big players in the market of roof tiles and solar panels to join efforts and become wealthy by making the planet better ! Looking forward to it.