Solar Panel Meets Ceramic Roof Tile

Simple, yet smart. Area Industrie Ceramiche makes a roof tile called a Tegolasolare. It looks like a roof tile, it is installed like an ordinary roof tile, and it's made out of ceramic like a regular roof tile. However, unlike a regular roof tile, a solar power panel comprising four photovoltaic cells is installed on it. The panels are then interconnected to create a functioning photovoltaic field, which can cover all or just part of the roof. If a tile is damaged, it can simply be replaced without tearing apart the rest of the roof. Or, over time the solar panels can be fitted into the existing tiles.

The tiles measure 46x46 cm and weigh 6 kilos, while the panels power 11 Watts.