Page 90 - Alternative Energy Systems in Building Design

66 SOLAR POWER SYSTEM PHYSICS AND TECHNOLOGIES

SunSlate solar modules are PV products that serve two specific functions: They
are constructed to be both a roof shingle and a solar power plant. This class of products
is specifically well suited for residential and light-commercial applications where a
large portion of a tiled roof structure could be fitted with relative ease. SunSlate tiles
are secured to roof rafters and structures by means of storm anchor hooks and anchor
nails that rest on 2 × 2-ft sleepers.
When the tiles are secured to the roof structure, they can withstand 120 mi/h winds.
Adjacent SunSlate tiles interconnect with specially designed gas-tight male-female con-
nectors, forming PV array strings that, in turn, are terminated in a splice box located
under the roof. A grid-connected inverter located in the vicinity of the main service
meter readily converts the direct current generated by the solar cells to alternating current.
The entire wiring of such a system can be readily handled by one electrician in a matter
of hours. Figure 3.30 shows a SunSlate solar power module manufactured by Atlantis
Energy Systems.
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Typically, 100 ft of SunSlate roofing weighs about 750 lb, or 7.5 lb/ft, which is com-
paratively much lighter than a light-concrete roof, which can weigh nearly twice as
much, and is slightly heavier than an equivalent composition shingle roofing tile, which
can weigh about 300 lb. Figure 3.31 illustrates the application of SunSlate as roofing tile.
MegaSlate customized roof-mount PV system MegaSlate is a BIPV roofing
system. It consists of frameless individual modules that combine into an overall system
that is adaptable to the dimensions of a roof.

Figure 3.30 A SunSlate solar power module. Photo courtesy of Atlantis Energy
Systems.