Solarcentury wins coveted sustainabaility award
November 8th 2005
We have been nationally recognised once again for its innovative photovoltaic roofing and cladding when our C21e roof tile won Building Magazine's Award for Innovation at their Sustainability Awards. The tile, which is used widely by house builders, is expected to gain further popularity following recent studies highlighting that home owners are prepared to pay for environmentally friendly homes.
The Sustainability Awards, which were held for the first time this year, acknowledged and rewarded UK construction businesses at the forefront of sustainability practice. We received the coveted award for its C21e solar electric tile which is the first solar roof tile designed specifically for UK homes. After winning the Interbuild New Product Award last year, the tile was upgraded and now boasts output of 52Wp per unit compared with its previous output of 40Wp.
The second upgrade of the tile was also commended for its darker finish, which allows it to blend with traditional roof tiles. Back mounted contact strips also provide a larger collector solar area allowing even greater efficiency. The C21e also now uses a world patented GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) frame, which has helped reduce costs and is also compatible with the thermal version of the tile. Its easy installation allows it to be fitted by non-specialist roofing contractors.
Commenting on the C21e tile, the awards panel said: “When it comes to photovoltaics, Solarcentury leads the pack. Last year it developed a solar electric tile called C21e for integration with plain tiles. This could be installed using traditional roofing techniques and was intended to blend in with ordinary tiles. However, as it was the standard PV colour of blue, it did tend to stand out, which was great for those people who wanted to wave a green flag from rooftops, less good for discreet types."
“Such people will therefore be the first to welcome the improved version of the C21e, which is black and blends in unnoticeably with conventional roof tiles. It’s not all style over substance either, as black means no solar reflections and that means more electricity. Power to the people as they say.”
Solarcentury’s CEO Dr Jeremy Leggett said: “We are delighted that the second upgrade of the C21e has been acknowledged for its innovation and contribution to sustainability. We are confident more house builders will be adopting our solar electric roof tiles in the UK and further afield as planners, the housebuilding industry and home buyers begin to appreciate the long-term benefits of homes which boast renewable sources.”
