Introducing the Sole Power Tile for Curved Roofing Systems
Photo credit: SRS Energy
SRS Energy has put a curvaceous spin on the solar shingle. Introduced at the American Institute of Architects 2009 Convention, the Sole Power Tile is designed to incorporate seamlessly into curved tile roofing systems. The innovation comes in partnership with US Tile, the nation’s largest manufacturer of clay tile roofing systems.
The Sole Power Tile claims to be the first building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing shingle designed for curved roofing systems (although Lumeta might have something to say about that). Aside from color, the tiles certainly do integrate into a tile roof system more than any other I’ve seen, as you too can see from the SRS photo gallery. Even the tiles’ navy blue color gives them a rather sleek look that fits the curved roof well.
The Sole Power Tile measures 37.4 inches wide by 18 inches long. It takes 30 tiles per 100 square feet with 500 watts produced in that area. They are shipped and installed just like traditional roofing with the extra advantage of being lighter than conventional ceramic tiles.
Posted on May 15th in Solar Products by Dan.
August 24th, 2009 at 6:41 am
[...] the desert Southwest, southern California, or if you simply like the look of clay roof tiles. The Solé Power Tile system is the first building-integrated photovoltaic roofing product that has been designed to [...]
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
These tiles look fantastic. I’m wondering what the maze of wiring looks like under the roof, and if they have a nice system for them to snap together…?
May 21st, 2010 at 8:09 am
Dan, the picture you have here is fake. Here is how the roof looks like:
http://picasaweb.google.com/fan.of.ecd/SRSEnergyZwahlenS#5473755625418548770
No tile on that roof is blue and no tile on that roof generates any electricity. The picture has been manufactured by the fraudsters at SRS Energy using some image-editing software.
May 21st, 2010 at 9:53 am
Interesting ECD. It’s obvious that SRS was trying to depict how a tile roof would look with their BIPV/US Tile materials on it. I suppose it makes sense considering that when I wrote this post a year ago they hadn’t even passed their UL testing. They do have some different – apparently real – photos on their website now, including some during installation, showing the application and wiring of the Solé tiles. A version of the above picture still appears on SRS’s home page though…guess they’re waiting to install a similarly complicated and aesthetically pleasing roof system before they swap for an authentic pic. Still, their product is real and is now UL-listed…
May 22nd, 2010 at 5:20 pm
[...] time last year I wrote about the introduction of a new breed of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV): the Solé Power Tile. This unique midnight-blue roofing tile is the first-ever solar [...]
September 17th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
How much does 1 tile cost. How many volts does one tile produce? How many amps does one tile produce?
Thanks