Image of the SUNSLATES™ roof
tile
A picture above from the manufacturers
installed product
Hello,
Today's lunch time blog topic is Solar panels.
check out SUNSLATES™ roof tile for yourself
It has been mentioned to me by a local dealer today of Sunslates that 500 sf of this material installed is around $75,000.00 not including other flashing that would be required.
I would used a budget figure around $100,000.00 soup to nuts for 500 sf for today with a projected return on investment to be around 10 to 15 years with today's energy costs.
You should design your roof to allow for the increase dead load of the solar shingle.
See manufacturers blocking requirements. They like to elevate the panel above the roof plane because the shingles get hot in that sun and they do not want that heat going into the attic.
For 500sf of the material I was told by the local dealer the panel could generate 5kw if installed on true a south roof plane with a site that did not block the path of the sun with surrounding buildings or trees.
For a more accurate cost and installation guidelines give them a call.
Traditional PV panels are about half the cost but four times more noticeable.
I like this product as an architect because I think that most people do not like the look of the traditional panel 3'-6" x 5'-6" raised rectangular roof PV panel. I do not always want to scream to the world that I have solar panels on my roof and I am greener then you.
Sometimes it is nice to wear your green theme on your sleeve but they tried that in the 70's at it failed generally with the public. Most people say to me I don't want my house to look green like one of those contemporary homes with the large amount of angled glass to the south side.
Some people decide not to pursue green because the the aesthetic implication. It does not have to look green to be green. We can disguised the green and your neighbors will never know unless you tell them.
Solar panels do cost money and they are not cheap, but it is a good decision to try to incorporate them into your design.
If budget does not allow for the spendy slate solar tiles try incorporating a low slope roof that will not be visible from the ground and you can use the less costly traditional PV panels.
You do not have to drive a Prius to be green. It helps. Drive an SUV less often.
Drive less. Ride your bike. Take public transportation. Carpool or take a walk.
Today's world you do not have to wear your green on your sleeve the public and the media has already made that decision for us.
It is a poor argument not to be green.
Tread Lightly or Less
Be Green
Be Happy
Eric H. Gjerde AIA
Architect
No comments:
Post a Comment