Roof Integrated Modules

Photovoltaic roof tiles or shingles are usual roof tiles with integrated solar cells used for roof covering, together with standard roof tiles or shingles. They are tightly integrated into the roof. Many different forms are used - photovoltaic roof tiles, photovoltaic roof shingles, solar laminates, modules with integrated solar cells as roof covering elements, transparent laminates or modules on ligh weigt substrate for flat roofs etc. Solar (photovoltaic) roof tiles and shingles are probably the most interesting possibility how to integrate solar cells into the building's roof. Many different forms of solar roof tiles are available on the market. The most common solutions are photovoltaic roof tiles with amorphous solar cells. Roof tiles with mono- or polycrystalline solar cells can also be used together with the classical roof tiles of the same producer, in such case higher temperature and lower yield in case of limited air flow behind solar roof tiles must be considered during design phase. Roof shingles are produced with crystalline or with thin-film solar cells. Other possibilities are thin film solar cells on glass or metal substrate.

Photovoltaic Roof Tiles and Shingles

As roof-integrated modules usually laminates without frame are used. Special types are solar roof tiles or shingles. For details please visit solar roof-tiles section. As roof integrated modules other module types can also be used for example: flexible modules, transparent or semitransparent modules, thin film modules etc. Some advanced sollutions were presented in past few years. One of the most aesthetic solutions (product is no longer available) was probably the Pfleiderer's Roof Tile Terra Piatta Solar produced by Pfleiderer-Dachziegelwerke. Product was awarded with the German Design Award 2002.


Roof integrated tiles Ergosun, courtesy Solarmass Energy Group Ltd.

Roof tiles with Ergosun membrane
(Image courtesy: Solarmass Energy Group Ltd.)


Roof integrated tiles, courtesy Pfleiderer Dach Roof integrated tiles, courtesy Pfleiderer Dach

Roof integrated solar PV tiles Terra Piatta Solar
(Image courtesy: Pfleiderer/Creaton)

Solar roof tiles and shingles are connected to each other via usual connectors used in photovoltaics. The power range spans from several Watt (roof shingles) to about 100 Watt (roof tiles with crystalline solar cells). Special (custom) designed solutions are glass laminates with integrated solar cells or thin film solar cells on glass or metal substrate. Thin film solar cells on metal substrate are used for integration into facades too. Some roof tile producers offer different roof integration possibilities for solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.

Photovoltaic Modules for Flat Roofs

For flat roofs amorphous Si (usually flexible) modules are available. As modul substrate EPDM (ethylene propylene diene Monomer/M-class) synthetic rubber is used. This material can also be used in combination with bitumen what makes it a preffered choice for flat roofs.


Flat roof, courtesy Solarintegrated Flat roof, courtesy Solarintegrated

Light weight modules for flat roofs
(Image courtesy: Solarintegrated)

Roof Integrated Tiles and Historical Heritage

Into church's roof in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (northern Germany) 88 mono-crystalline Terra-Piatta-Solar® modules with peak power 5 kWp were integrated. Carefully planned photovoltaic system with 50 m2 large array does not suffer from the partial shadowing of the modules.


BIPV and historical heritage, courtesy Pfleiderer Dach BIPV and historical heritage, courtesy Pfleiderer Dach

Into church's roof integrated solar PV tiles.
Left roof before renovation, right roof inside view after renovation
(Image courtesy: Pfleiderer/Creaton)

Commercially Available Solar Roof Integrated Modules & Systems