It isn't the first time that solar panels have been made into tiles. The problem is cutting them to fit around flashings etc, although I suspect they have blank ones for that. Failure and durability are other considerations. I have seen some flexible ones that you lay in tray roofing, which are also quite nice, and potentailly more future proof, as you can just swap them out when the technology gets more efficient or a panel fails.

The idea has been around for a while. Google it and see. There was a solar roof on the Grand Designs TV program last year.

http://www.monier.co.nz/Tiles/SOLARtile/

Saw them at a showhome in Puke

dont know if Eli though of it first though

Jase2985:

 

http://www.monier.co.nz/Tiles/SOLARtile/

 

 

 

Saw them at a showhome in Puke

 

dont know if Eli though of it first though

 

I'm sure he didn't think of it first.....but the guy has a way of kicking a market into life because he's electric or nothing...and doesn't suffer from the dilemma of cannibalising existing product lines with new stuff. 

Most of the car makers are dragging their heels on electric cars because they have HUGE assets tied up in making non-electric cars. Similarly in this area, I imagine. 

you implied he was first by calling him a Genius, as in he thought up the idea, i was just showing you an example of an existing already in use product

yes hes good at kick-starting things no denying that

http://www.avancis.de/en/facade-solutions/

These guys have been doing glazeable panels for a number of years

Lets hope that they do a longrun type option instead of a shingle/tile product which has been done by everyone.

richms:

 

Lets hope that they do a longrun type option instead of a shingle/tile product which has been done by everyone.

 

Calder Stewart do a long run product in NZ. They call it solar rib.   http://www.roofer.co.nz/products/roofing-and-cladding/solar-rib/

ockel:

 

They call it solar rib.  

 

There are many companies that do that sort of roofing with that laminate solar panel. It is a stick on laminate solar panel, now quite common in europe. But that sort of tray roofing over plywood is about 4-5 times the price of regular long run (without the solar panels). I know because I have just had quote for it, comparing it with regular trapezoidal roofing, and was surprised at how expensive it was considering it is using the same type of steel. I guess the labour is significantly more and it takes 4-5 times to lay?

A shingle roof here lasts as little as 15 years, due to the extreme heat and cold, and it's by far the most common roofing cladding around me.  The big challenge is trying to mix the function of electricity generation with roofing’s primary goal of keeping water from getting in, and doing so in a profitable way.

Elon isn't a technology genius, he just has the means to buy the skilled people and give them enough time to get something to market. You could argue he's a business genius (I'd lean towards marketing genius), but all his new companies (i.e post X.com/paypal) are still basically start ups trying to disrupt otherwise cosy industries.

What happens if someone walks on the tiles?

DarthKermit:

 

What happens if someone walks on the tiles?

 

Can I walk on my Monier SOLARtiles?

 

• Monier SOLARtiles are constructed with a top layer of toughened glass so they are strong enough to bear the weight of someone walking on them. However, especially when wet, they can be slippery and like your roof, we only recommend trained professionals walk on SOLARtiles.

mattwnz:

ockel:

They call it solar rib.  

 

There are many companies that do that sort of roofing with that laminate solar panel. It is a stick on laminate solar panel, now quite common in europe. But that sort of tray roofing over plywood is about 4-5 times the price of regular long run (without the solar panels). I know because I have just had quote for it, comparing it with regular trapezoidal roofing, and was surprised at how expensive it was considering it is using the same type of steel. I guess the labour is significantly more and it takes 4-5 times to lay?

But would you bother with the expense of putting them on the south and west facing sides of your roof?

Are there any options to replace good old corrugated iron / coloursteel / etc?  My house is old...