[ExI] Cheaper alternative to solar roof panels?

[BillK]

Glass roof tiles let a little sunshine in to cut heating bills
October 15, 2010

<http://www.gizmag.com/soltech-energy-glass-tiles/16660/>

Quote:
Swedish company, Soltech Energy, recently received the gold medal for
this year’s hottest new material at the Nordbygg 2010 trade fair in
Stockholm, Sweden. The award was fitting because it was for the
company’s home heating system that features roof tiles made out of
glass. The tiles, which are made from ordinary glass, weigh about the
same as the clay roof tiles they replace but allow the sun to heat air
that is then used to heat the house and cut energy bills.

The most common way to connect the system to a house’s existing
heating system would be to a water based heating system via an
accumulation tank but the system is also designed to be integrated
with both air and water based systems, such as a ground source heat
pump, air heat pump, pellet boiler or electric boiler – the only
requirement is some form of central heating system.

This setup allows the system to heat the house during winter and
transfer the heat absorbed in summer to a ground heating system
through a heat convector and a fluid based system to help achieve a
cooling effect.

Depending on factors such as climate, roof angle and house direction,
the system should generate around 350 kWh heat per square meter (3
square ft).

If your roof isn’t suited to tiles, Soltech Energy also offers glass
wall panels that can be tailored to individual houses and benefit from
the lower angle of the incoming rays of sunlight during the winter.
--------------------

Also see:
<http://www.soltechenergy.com/en/>

Their web site says the glass roof tiles cost slightly more than
ordinary roof tiles, but last longer.


BillK