Methods for adding solar panels to homes continue to evolve and become more sophisticated. For evidence, look no further than a recently completed residential installation of the Sole Power Tile system at a home in Bermuda Dunes, Calif. SRS Energy of Philadelphia, a developer of sustainable solar roofing products, says the new solar tile is the first building-integrated photovoltaic roofing product designed for curved roofing systems.
“This installation illustrates how homeowners can go green and make smart, sustainable choices without compromising curb appeal,” Marty Low, CEO of SRS Energy, said in a statement. “The revolutionary design of the Sole Power Tile system will enable this home to generate clean solar energy for decades to come.”
The roof system is designed to seamlessly blend with several styles of US Tile’s clay tiles, providing energy and preserving the home’s roofline, unlike traditional roof-mounted solar panels. The combination of clay and solar tiles delivers the Spanish-style aesthetics of traditional curved clay tile roofs commonly found in the Pacific states and Southwest.
The Sole Power Tile system uses thin film solar technology, valued for its ability to convert a greater range of light – including the light at dawn and dusk – into solar energy when compared to other solar technologies. SRS says the curved design of the tile allows for greater air circulation under and around the tiles, helping to prevent degradation in performance caused by the region’s desert heat.
The company installed about 300 square feet of Sole Power Tile on the residence’s roof. The tiles are expected to generate approximately 2,400 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The Bermuda Dunes home is one of several demonstration installations SRS Energy and US Tile are undertaking this summer to support the product’s launch. The homeowners will be able to install a larger solar upgrade beginning this fall when commercial shipments commence.
SRS Energy and US Tile are currently launching the Sole Power Tile system in select West Coast markets, and will begin a nationwide rollout of the product in spring of 2010.