They are Open Energy SolarSave panels which also serve as integrated roof tiles. Rather easy to install, there are several prerequisites, including the laying down of two layers of roofing felt and another two layers of fiberglass fireproofing sheets beforehand. Plastic lifts and wooden battens are also required. This is not an inexpensive system, but does provide for a building integrated appearance. I specified, installed and oversaw the panel installation across three new homes. I am currently overseeing the electrical wiring with my C-10 contractor. We could have afforded any system type we wanted and frankly, the Open Energy system is the most exclusive of all building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) installs for residential homes. We alos installed three additional homes with 5kW Sharp + Unisolar rackmounts, which is considered the very best in post-roof systems. What we really wanted, but could not fit into the budget were 7.5Kw systems supplying a typical home (according to numbers supplied by our local utility) with 100% of its electrical energy needs. CA generally sees $8-$10 an installed square watt. Our Open Energy systems are 3Kw and cost us just over 22K, including state and federal rebates. The Sharp + Unisolar systems cost us 35K, including state and federal rebates. Because these are new homes, the roof was already engineered for concrete tile, which is preferred for its thermal mass characteristics. For installation on composition roofs, removal of existing shingles are required. Reinforcement generally involves a structural engineer and typically entails methods to shift roof loads to the ground via shear walls and roof sheathing of sufficient load bearing capacity. How do I know all of this? This is why <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ...

Adam Lau
ENERGY STAR Partner
General Contractor #845299
Certified GreenPoint Rater #2007-121
Certified Green Building Professional 07-11-03
Certified Energy Plans Examiner #R05-07-5345
Member, International Code Council #5247077
Sharp Solar Certified Installer #07220804
CBPCA Home Performance Contractor
CHEERS HERS Rater #CCN55300532
NAHB PATH Partner Builder