Ukrainian innovation: solar shingles
Solar power plants of various sizes - from roof panels to entire "solar fields" - have become commonplace for five years now. Despite the reduction in green tariffs since 2020, alternative energy continues to be attractive to businesses. Confirmation of this is a new product created by a domestic manufacturer.
If a large business is more focused on the construction of SES with a significant amount of generation for sale, then a small business is most often interested in alternative energy sources in terms of resource efficiency. Solar panels are installed directly on the roofs of shops, restaurants, office centers, warehouses, farms, small workshops, etc., thus gaining the opportunity to reduce electricity costs. However, some who wish to implement a “solar” project cannot realize it because of the peculiarities of installation of structures, their bulkiness. After all, not all roofs are suitable for such a station. In addition, in cities, especially in Kiev, not every building will want to “spoil” such panels.
A new technology developed by Ukrainian entrepreneurs solves and opens up new opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses. This is a sunny tile. It is quite in the global trend to use solar modules as a building material instead of standard panels mounted on top of the coating. Such products have already begun to be produced in Sweden, the Netherlands, and China. Pavel Reka, the founder of River Solar, an engineer from Nikolaev, developed, patented, and brought to the level of industrial production the Ukrainian counterpart. So high-quality that the solar roof tiles designed by him received an award from UNIDO, the United Nations (UN) agency that specializes in promoting international industrial cooperation. Recently, together with partners, Solar Service, the installation of the first solar roof on a non-residential premises was completed.
The main advantage of such a tile is that during construction it is used as a coating, that is, costs are significantly reduced. It is not necessary, as with panels, to first cover the roof, and then mount the solar station - with solar tiles, the surface automatically becomes both a roof and an energy store.
Pavel Reka comments: “I am often asked what is cheaper - to cover the roof, and then establish a station, or immediately cover with solar tiles. You can calculate: a 64-square-meter station with a power of 12 kW will cost somewhere around $ 12,000, plus a roof covering with installation costs about $ 60 square meters. That is, one square meter of a conventional station comes out at least $ 250. If you build from scratch and immediately lay the roof tiles, then a square meter will cost you 180 dollars. ” So, the difference in the cost of a “solar roof” of 100 square meters. m is 7,000 dollars.
As for the technical properties of solar tiles, it is well suited for pitched roofs from 20 to 45 degrees or for complex roofs. Also its advantage is the strength, which is several times higher than conventional panels. This is achieved due to the small size of the tiles and through the use of thickened tempered glass. And of course - the aesthetic appearance of the roof. Another significant advantage of solar shingles is that a damaged panel is easy to replace.
“The fact is that the segments of the panels are fastened to each other with the help of an aluminum profile - this, on the one hand, facilitates easy installation, and on the other, prevents water leakage,” explains Pavel Reka. - It should also be noted that the guarantee for tiles is 20 years, but even after this time the power plant will function, simply because of the deterioration of the components not for the whole capacity. Like ordinary roof tiles can last up to 50 years. "
Now the production is already gaining momentum - the first large batch of tiles is being assembled in Nikolaev from Ukrainian components, in spring, under the River Solar brand, the product will enter the Ukrainian market. They will mount the first orders themselves, then they plan to share their experience with other installation and construction companies who will be interested in using solar shingles. “From us, the client will receive a full range of services: design, installation and launch of SES. But in the future, due to the fact that our product is roofing at the same time, it can be installed by a qualified installer who has undergone the necessary training and has access to high-altitude work and electrical appliances, ”explains the entrepreneur.
Pavel Reka is confident that work in this direction will soon reach a new level, and BIPV modules will gradually be used not only on the roof, but also on windows and walls. Now in Europe such solutions are already being applied, which means that our manufacturers have a lot to move on.
