PV roof tiles

[Adios Pantalones]

This seems like a cool concept, but I wonder about the wiring complexity and the trouble shooting/repair for individual elements. It does bring up the idea of ways to integrate power generation in a less imposing way (piezoelectric floor tiles, for example).

http://www.solarfeeds.com/tegolasolare-embeds-solar-panels-in-roof-tiles/

 

[Jags]

That is pretty darn cool if you ask me. I see much more of this "type" of install coming in the future.
The article doesn't state if these are the type that use micro inverters at each of the panels or not. I think that will also be the wave of the future. No one panel can affect the performance of the next.

 

[begreen]

This seems like a cool concept, but I wonder about the wiring complexity and the trouble shooting/repair for individual elements.

Seems like a valid concern. That's a lot of connections.

http://www.areafranceram.com/en/tegolasolare/products/tegolasolare/operation

 

[Vic99]

I've been watching this tech for a while.

Expensive, but PV worth anything is. Certainteed has had a system for a while:

http://news.consumerreports.org/home/2012/02/builders-show-certainteed-solar-roofing.html

These aren't as efficient as traditional panels, but not terrible either.

Dow has them too: http://www.dowpowerhouse.com/

Claim to reduce a "typical" home's electricity bill by 50% for a "typical installation"

 

[Vic99]

Certainteed relies on a central inverter, I think

 

[Adios Pantalones]

You lose area around each one

 

[Adios Pantalones]

 

[Jags]

AP - that will never catch on. Hippie.