Solar Roof Tiles Essay

Introduction

Solar roof tile technology is an emergent innovation in the contemporary world. This technology harnesses direct sunlight to produce electrical power for operating domestic appliances. It is slowly replacing traditional solar panels mounted on rooftops since this technology is a multi-purpose innovation that shelters humans from extreme weather conditions as well as acting as a source of power. It entails a series interconnection of solar cells to produce an output required to operate appliances. The power output for this technology is a direct current. However, an inverter is used to convert this power to alternating current which is then used to operate AC devices. It is worthy to note that this technology promotes environmental sustainability by generating clean energy. This paper seeks to discuss the idea of solar roof tiles, why it is considered a green design, and its installation process.

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The Idea of Solar Roof Tiles

The demand for solar roof tile technology is anticipated to increase as fossil fuels are on the verge of exhaustion and depletion. In future, more residential and industrial buildings will embrace solar roof tile technology as the chief contributor of electric energy to the national grid, which will improve business model utility for electricity. Imperatively, solar roof tiles will be inexpensive and efficient unlike the traditional solar panels mounted on top of roofs.

Solar roof tiles convert sunlight into electricity, while at the same time complements the architecture of a house. Basically, they resemble traditional shingles but absorb more insolation than the normal solar panels. These tiles perform two functions: provision of shelter from adverse weather conditions and acting as a transducer that converts solar to electric energy (Ceron, Caamano-Martin, & Neila, 2013). Structurally, solar roof tiles are made of slate slabs or natural clay which has small solar panel insertion on their flat surfaces exposed to the sun. The tiles are made of PMMA or Plexiglas materials which resist all weather conditions. It is imperative to pinpoint that the energy converted is stored in an integrated power wall battery, which avails energy to the home at any time, making it a personal utility. It is also prudent to note that solar roof tiles are stronger than the normal roof tiles which make them more durable. The idea of solar roof tiles is to replace the traditional roof tiles, while at the same providing alternative source of electrical energy to millions who live in regions that cannot access the national grid. In addition, solar roof tiles act as a backup energy source in case there is a national grid power outage.

Solar roof tiles work as other photovoltaic cells which utilize the junction effect principle. According to Wrenn, McBride, Smith, and Rosenthal (2015), every photovoltaic cell comprises n-type and p-type materials fused together, in which each material has different electrical properties. These materials absorb solar energy when sunlight strikes them. The absorbed solar energy then generates electrons and holes which are delocalized within the solar cells of the roof tiles. It is essential to note that the p-type materials are holes whereas the n-type material or regions are electrons. Therefore, an external load such as a bulb or a battery is required to create a current. It is imperative to note that an external load energizes electrons from p-type region to enter the depletion layer.

Solar Roof Tile as a Green Design

A green design attempts to safeguard the environment by utilizing eco-friendly construction practices and building materials. Usually, green designs have a minimal environmental impact regarding products of a particular construction. Solar roof tiles harness the energy from the sun to produce a clean source of electricity devoid of any environmental pollution. These tiles are therefore green design since they help in saving energy as well as lowering electricity builds without causing environmental destruction or degradation. Instead of the traditional tiles that are expensive and less durable, solar roof tiles are made of stronger materials that have three times more durable and cheaper. Thus, they ensure sustainability as well as providing comfort and requisite environmentally-preferred outcomes in the course of the building's life-cycle (Prasad & Snow, 2014).

Installation Process

It is important to pinpoint that solar roof tiles are made of monocrystalline silicon cells which have been interconnected to achieve the required wattage for meeting electrical power requirements of a building. Each solar cell has two sides, the front part facing the sun and the rear side fixed on a slab. Connections of cells entail using flux pens and tabbing wires. On the rear side, two tabbing wires are connected each square, which is the positive side of the cell.

Interconnecting the solar cells entail soldering tabbing wires onto electrodes running parallel on the front side of each solar cell. The flux pen helps in aligning tabbing wires to stay in place during the process of welding. Notably, the same tapping wires are connected to positive terminals of adjacent cells to create a series connection.

Mechanical Support

Insert both the negative and positive terminals of the solar roof tiles into the hole of the slab then fill all the openings with silicone. Drill a small hole at the base of the tile support base and insert the two wires that represent terminals of series interconnected solar cells. Check that all the cells are stuck properly on the substrate and then confirm that all connections are consolidated, after which place a glass over solar cells interconnected in series. Apply silicone to all the four corners of the tile base so that the glass does not get into contact with solar cells. The solar roof tiles are then ready for installation over the roof. To harness solar energy to be used later, connect the output of solar roof tiles to a power wall battery to store electrical energy (Prasad & Snow, 2014).

Conclusion

Solar roof tiles use photovoltaic technology which is gaining prominence in the world. Other than providing shelter to people, this technology provides clean electrical energy. Installation of solar cells entails connecting them in series and then connecting the output of these cells to an integrated power wall battery for electrical power storage. Thus, solar roof tiles provide alternative sources of energy in case there is an outage. It is also suitable for areas that are off the national grid. In fact, more people need to embrace this technology since it is cheaper than traditional roof tiles as well as encouraging environmental sustainability.

References

Ceron, I., Caamano-Martin, E., & Neila, F. J. (2013). State-of-the-art'of building integrated photovoltaic products. Renewable Energy, 58, 127-133.

Prasad, D., & Snow, M. (2014). Designing with solar power: a sourcebook for building integrated photovoltaics (BiPV). Routledge.

Wrenn, T. L., McBride, J. R., Smith, N. J., & Rosenthal, S. J. (2015). Has the sunset on quantum dot-sensitized solar cells?. Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, 5, 16.