When it comes to solar energy and technology, there’s a huge amount of jargon which can make it seem complicated. But photovoltaic roof tiles, or PV tiles, are simply another name for solar panels. 

Benefits

Photovoltaic roof tiles harness energy from the sun and convert it into energy that we can use at home. This has a huge number of benefits for the average household as it can result in big savings on your energy bills. You’ll also be doing your bit for the environment, and reducing your carbon footprint by using a renewable energy source. Because of the ecological implications, you may also be eligible for funding from the government from schemes such as the Feed-In-Tariff.

Materials

There are two different types of cell that can be used in a photovoltaic tile; polycrystalline and monocrystalline. Monocrystalline panels are large silicon crystals which are then sliced down to fit into individual cells which can result in a large amount of silicon wastage in production. Whereas, polycrystalline are much cheaper to produce as the silicon is moulded into the desired shape.

Efficiency

PV roof tiles are fitted onto the roof of a home, in order to capture the most sunlight. Although these roof tiles are more efficient in sunny weather, it’s not vital as they will still work in cloudy conditions. In the winter, you may expect to produce about a fifth of the energy that you will in the summer. Solar panels actually harness around 13-15% of the sun’s energy.

Misconceptions

Contrary to popular belief, solar panels are not as expensive as they used to be and they are certainly affordable for the average home. Properly installed panels will cause no damage to your roof at all, and can actually provide an extra layer of insulation to your property.

The photovoltaic roof tiles we use at Metrotile are made from polycrystalline crystals, and provide a great return on investment for energy savings. If you’d like to find out more about PV roof tiles, you can fill out our contact form or call us on 01249 658 514.