Many of those who choose to install solar panels in their private homes are not convinced by the aesthetic appearance of the installation. The panels are installed directly on the roof in the best position to face the sun and efficiency prevails, but aesthetics are little valued.

However, there is another option that, although somewhat more expensive, integrates the panels into the roof: solar tiles. In fact, in this case the material to be installed acts both as a tile and as a panel, which must protect the roof and at the same time function in the most efficient way to provide electricity.

The efficiency and economy of these solar tiles does not have to be limited. These solar tiles, like traditional panels, can be a good self-consumption option that results in savings on the electricity bill, while the environment thanks us.

Photovoltaic panels are a great self-consumption solution, although they are not very aesthetic, while tiles integrate perfectly into the design of practically any single-family home, as is the case with another option, solar windows, which are manufactured with photovoltaic glass that It contains solar cells to capture solar energy and convert it into electricity.

Of course, there are different types of tiles that can generate electricity, such as photovoltaic solar tiles; the solar thermal tile, suitable for heating and hot water; and the hybrid solar tile, capable of producing both. We can also opt for so-called invisible or transparent tiles, which are usually installed directly on conventional tiles.

Solar tiles work in the same way as panels and it is the assembly that makes both options different. Photovoltaic panels are fixed to an existing roof, while solar tiles can be part of the roof construction from the beginning or overlapped later, being laid in the same way as conventional tiles.

These energy-creating tiles are made up of photovoltaic cells and when they receive sunlight, they create an electric field capable of providing electricity for use in the property.

Each tile is connected by cables to the power distribution board and for its effective operation it is necessary to install an inverter. This is the device that converts the energy captured by each photovoltaic tile into electricity.

The amount of energy captured through solar energy is directly related to the amount of sunlight the shingles are exposed to. Therefore, it is the climate, in addition to the location, that determines its performance.

More advantages than aesthetics

Those who decide on tiles do so primarily for aesthetic reasons, since the effectiveness of the panels is proven. Once installed, they are practically imperceptible and the roof is no different from any other. In addition, they are available in different colors and expressly manufactured to 'camouflage' themselves on roofs.

Solar tiles also guarantee the waterproofing of the roof with the same characteristics as a conventional roof, even in extreme weather conditions. Each tile is a small high-performance photovoltaic module that allows you to cushion the roof, a space with no other use. Of course, the manufacturer's warranty must cover 25 years of useful life, in principle plenty of time to amortize the investment.

In any case, with solar tiles a perfect aesthetic integration is achieved and these tiles are currently compatible with all existing channel tiles. They complement the traditional roof, they do not replace it.

In addition, installing them is simple and quick, with no need to drill the roof. They are waterproof, resistant to frost and wind and do not require maintenance beyond having the installation clear and clean. They are made with recyclable materials and have high durability. They revalue homes and guarantee 80% of electricity production after 20 years.

We must keep in mind that solar tiles are somewhat less efficient than panels. Its performance is about a third worse. Therefore, if aesthetics is not what we consider most important, it will always be more economical and efficient to opt for panels than for tiles.

The large number of tiles required for an average installation makes. It also makes the system potentially more error-prone, especially for large roof areas, and repair costs are also higher than with conventional solar modules. The price of photovoltaic solar tiles is about 325 euros per square meter, which is about 15 tiles. They are somewhat more expensive than traditional panels, although what really makes the project more expensive is the installation, which requires much more time and more labor than panels, since all the tiles must be connected separately.