Home Remodeling Improvement - Tile Roofs - Spanish Style Roofs Integrated with Solar in the Installation

When I was small I fell in love with a red tiled roof house. It was a Spanish style complete with stucco for its exterior walls and a beautiful open porch along the very front. A graceful design for an elegant and yet distinctive home. The home would have been beautiful no matter what but the red tile roof set it apart here in the Midwestern United States. Imagine a red tile roof amidst a vast sea of plain asphalt roofs. Recently, my husband I purchased a vintage home and unbeknownst to us, the original roof was - you guessed it a Spanish style red tile roof. I don't know for sure but I envision it was the classic barrel style. I would have never known except the son of the original owner (we are the second owner in 81 years!) gave us the drawing the home was designed after along with some of the literature from the roofing tiles.

So what if you desire a classic red tile roof and also want to invest in the future of solar technology? This is the intersection where vintage architectural style meets modern day solar innovation. Journey with us as we explore several options available today.

You have seen the solar working in the garden lights, on the calculator and now on many street lights throughout your town. If you explored your roof tops, you might be surprised to have a few solar roofing panels. Advances in technology have made solar roofing tiles more effective with less maintenance with more durability. Some solar roof tiles will last the life of your roof - up to 30 years. How do solar roofing panels work?

In simplistic terms, the solar tiles collect the sun energy and store the energy in a battery. So just as we recharge our batteries, Mother Nature's sunshine is charging providing an energy source for us to use in any manner we choose. What amazes me is we can use solar energy to cool.

Solar Roofing Technology - Photovoltaic (PV)

The most popular technology behind the solar panels is for the most part photovoltaic or PV. The photovoltaic process is popular because it occurs on an atomic level, meaning there are no moving parts which accounts for the reason why this technology is so popular - less moving parts means less maintenance and a longer life span.

What Are Panels Made Of? Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) or Silicon

The reason for the high expense is the material used to gather the sunshine rays. Silicon is the most expensive and commonly used. Cadmium Telluride or CdTe is another option. Silicon is relatively new, Cadmium Telluride has been around since the 1950s. The delay in our use on a massive scale has been but of course the price. Predictions have been made that the cost is decreasing so the wide spread use of solar panels may be in our future.

Dow Corning - Investment in Silicon Technology

Dow Corning is applying over 65 years of experience "to bring innovation and efficiencies to the silicon-based materials that are ideal for solar applications. With significant investments including those in our joint ventures Hemlock Semiconductor Group, we are using the power of silicon chemistry to bring solar energy to everyone, everywhere."

Heating a swimming pool is the historic use of solar roofing tiles. It is a quick and efficient heating method which now has improved technology. With the new technology developing in both aesthetics and in silicon material, not consider a solar roof for the long term investment of your home.

Energy of the Future

As awareness and long term frugality are new standards of excellence, the energy of the future for mass production is sure to include solar panels. The cultural obstacle is the appearance. Regulations on a municipal level to help you not incur an eyesore from you or your neighbor is anticipated. New options and smoother panels that are more decorative are available now. Let's explore some of the current possibilities.

Leading the way in this industry so far is our European friends in Itay and Spain. The tiles they have developed are efficient and non-obtrusive to the sight. Take a look and see how far they have progressed.

Tegolasolare is made with four solar cells on a ceramic roof tile. The solar tile installs like a non-solar tile, while the panels are connected to create a photovoltaic field.

One can cover the entire roof or a portion, giving flexibility to avoid shade and other problem areas. Also, if a tile goes out, it can be replaced without affecting the rest of the system. Tiles are 18 inches (46 centimeters) square.

Wiring leads to an inverter, where DC is transformed and fed into the power grid. A 430 square-foot (40 m2) roof of monocrystalline tiles produces, according t

Area Industrie Ceramiche makes a red clay roof tile that the Italian company claims is very resistant to weather and capable of absorbing less water and heat. But that's just the original tile. If you go with the "tegolasolare" version, you'll end up with a roof integrated solar solution that's so handsome others may not realize it's wired to generate energy.

New technology provides an integrated solar tile that is also shaped like the classic barrel roof tiles.

"The barrel-style technology was designed for a clay tile curved roofing system. Using thin film solar, the Solé Power Tile integrates seamlessly with blue glaze or earthen tone tiles."

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