Roof tiles with integrated solar cells now on the market

1/15/2010
SRS Energy of Philadelphia has developed a curved roofing tile with integrated photovoltaic cells. They are called Solé Power Tiles, are American-made, and are as easy to install as regular tiles (though you’ll need a “Solé Certified Contractor” to get them working). As reported in the New York Times, the tiles are “designed to blend in with Southern California’s traditional clay tiles… A solar tile system that (meets) half the power needs of a typical California home would cost roughly $20,000 to install after rebates… or about 10 to 20 percent more than solar panels providing comparable power.”

US Tiles in Corona, California is authorized to install the Solé Power Tile system in Southern California. Their web site has a gallery of Solé Power Tile installations.

Integrating solar cells into building designs will become more common as solar cells become smaller, cheaper and more flexible. This will mean power that’s not only clean, but pretty. Hey, this is LA, it matters.