Redland Solar PV Tiles

Established in the UK solar-renewable market since 1997, Redland launched a new range of Solar PV Tile systems last year, offering housing specifiers a fully-integrated PV solution for slate, profile tile and plain tile roofs. Redland’s Solar PV Tile systems represent a “coming of age” for PV: while technical performance is unquestioned, the products have been developed for their aesthetic appeal and ease of installation. It is not necessary for PV to sit as an uncomfortable, utilitarian block on a roof, as Redland’s Solar PV Tile systems integrate unobtrusively with the roofline.

This range of Redland Solar PV Tile systems is made up of five products, to integrate perfectly with eight of the company’s most popular tiles for the house building market – Cambrian Slate, DuoPlain, Mini Stonewold, Mockbond Mini Stonewold, Grovebury, Double Roman, Landmark Double Pantile and Landmark Double Roman.

Redland Solar PV Tile meets the current Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) standard and, anticipating advances in industry certification, has successfully undergone dynamic wind loading, deluge and driving-rain and fire-resistance testing, putting it in a strong position to be the first system to meet the new MCS solar renewable roof integration standard when it is introduced. Most importantly for building owners, when installed as part of a Redland roof, the Solar PV Tiles will also be covered by Redland’s 15-year guarantee. This guarantee is unique within the industry as Redland is the only manufacturer to make both the tiles and the Solar PV.

The concept behind the development of the Solar PV Tile is that the individual tiles will simply replace a single course of standard concrete or slate tiles to give a neat, understated appearance, while their interlocking, profile specific design gives a perfect fit with the surrounding roof tiles.

Behind this neat aesthetic is some great engineering. The photovoltaic panels convert daylight into DC (direct current). An inverter turns this DC into the domestically useable 230V 50Hz AC and a typical Redland Solar PV Tile system will generate in the region of 2,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. Electricity not used immediately in the house will be exported to the National Grid: in a typical installation half is likely to be used and half exported. Either way, the energy generated will qualify for payment under the Government’s Feed in Tariff.

The Redland Solar PV Tiles are available to order from Redland. For technical advice as well as product ordering, telephone (08705) 601000.