| With the trend towards greener and more | | | | their homes with a green bent. Start-up costs may |
| environmentally friendly products, there are a number | | | | dissuade you from wanting to invest in a solar |
| of new solar powered items available on the market, | | | | energy system, but projections show that the original |
| and one that is aimed at homeowners is solar roof | | | | investment is recouped within 4-6 years of |
| tiles. These operate the same way as regular | | | | installation, and with solar roof panels the lifetime |
| photovoltaic solar panels do, but provide you an | | | | expectancy is twenty-five years. |
| opportunity to install your own solar system and | | | | Twenty years free of electricity bills is a great |
| incorporate it directly into the design of your home. | | | | incentive to look into alternative renewable energy |
| If you are in a time frame where you need a new | | | | sources. Maintenance may also be a concern for |
| roof anyways and have been considering installing a | | | | those unaware of this type of system. Most solar |
| renewable energy resource system, doing both with | | | | systems do not require much maintenance, and these |
| the installation of solar roof tiles will hit both of those | | | | panels are constructed with a mind set towards ease |
| targets at one time! | | | | of installation and removal if necessary for |
| The benefits of solar roof tiles include being able to | | | | replacement or inspection. |
| capture light from just daylight instead of direct | | | | You will always need to keep the needs of your |
| sunlight. This means that even on cloudy days your | | | | energy consumption in mind before going with a solar |
| roof will be accumulating the suns energy for a | | | | energy solution. If you monitor your usage for a |
| power supply. They sit on your roof and are the | | | | period, along with collecting energy information from |
| same size and shape as regular tiles, so they | | | | the various appliances in your home, you will know |
| don’t stick out, they don’t emit heat or | | | | how much coverage you need for your energy |
| radiation, and they don’t have any noise | | | | solution. Should you find that your roof area is not big |
| by-product. | | | | enough to provide enough energy, you may be able |
| The entire system integrates easily into your homes | | | | to find areas where you can put additional tiles, or |
| electrical system, and there are connections between | | | | use the local utility company for additional electricity |
| each tile that link each one. Solar roof tiles are | | | | needs. |
| installed as on regular roofs and they are required to | | | | Solar roof tiles are made with different materials and |
| meet the same building regulations as regular roofs | | | | different styles. If you find a supplier you can easily |
| do. These types of tiles are most effective when | | | | install them, or you can get a professional to assist |
| they face south. | | | | you with installing them. In either case, ensure you |
| Prior to investing in and installing a solar system with | | | | have the appropriate plans and permission from the |
| roof tiles you want to ensure that you consult with | | | | zone where you live and then you can start saving |
| local building authorities. There may even be financial | | | | money. |
| incentives available to those who want to invest in | | | | |