C21e for new home buyers
C21e Solar electric roof tiles provide a trouble free way of generating power using the sun’s energy.
Gleeson Homes C21e solar electric roof tile installation
By choosing a house with C21e solar tiles, you are choosing to reduce your electricity bills forever. The renewable energy generated by the tiles will never go up in price, unlike energy from fossil fuels which is expected to get 7.5% more expensive every year.
An example of a home energy label
By June 2007 every home will require an ‘energy certificate’ as part of the Home Information Pack. Houses with solar tiles may be ‘A-rated’ automatically, making solar powered houses more attractive to potential buyers and tenants. C21e solar tiles ‘futureproof’ your home and, since they don’t involve any moving parts,
there’s no maintenance issues either. And, if you ever decide to sell your home, the solar tiles could help increase the value of your home by up to 10% (Energy Saving Trust ‘Green Homes are hot property’ 27 March 2006)
How it works.
The Solarcentury C21e tiles generate electricity from daylight, which means they still generate power on cloudy, overcast days. The electricity from each tile is combined and used in the home in exactly the same way as conventional electricity, but without the cost. To avoid the need for batteries, the system is connected to the national grid. In the night, when the tiles are not generating energy, electricity is bought from the utility company in the normal way. During the day, when the tiles are producing more electricity than you need the excess is sold back to the utility company, reducing your bill even further.
Your technical questions answered
Does it really work in the UK?
Yes. The cells in the tiles only require daylight to work, and will generate energy even on cloudy days. In the UK a system of only 20 tiles could generate up to a third of a home’s electrical need.
How do the tiles ‘make’ the electricity?
C21e tiles contain SunPower™ solar cells, which generate an electrical current when exposed to light. The tiles send the current to a DC/AC inverter in the loft, which makes the flow of electricity suitable for use in the home.
Do the tiles need any maintenance?
The tiles have a power warranty of 20 years, and with no moving parts are virtually maintenance free. The design of the tiles means that any dust or dirt that may accumulate will wash off during normal rainfall.
To find out more about C21e for your home contact Simon Gerrard on 020 7803 0100 e-mail: simon.gerrard@solarcentury.com or fill in the solar homes application form.
