Antique tiles are made under photovoltaic panels

Are 'invisible solar' tiles really solar panels?

But they’re really solar panels The ‘Invisible Solar’ tiles have already been installed at Pompeii, and there are plans to expand. In a small workshop near Vicenza, Italy, artisans make traditional-looking roofing tiles with a hidden difference: Each module contains solar photovoltaic cells.

Are terra-cotta tiles really solar panels?

These ‘terra-cotta’ tiles blend in perfectly with Italian roofs. But they’re really solar panels The ‘Invisible Solar’ tiles have already been installed at Pompeii, and there are plans to expand.

Does Pompeii have solar roof tiles?

Pompeii is shining a light on mysterious rites of ancient Rome thanks to terracotta-style solar roof tiles installed on one of its most famous villas. The traditional-looking tiles have solar photovoltaic cells inside, allowing the UNESCO World Heritage Site to preserve its aesthetics while generating clean energy to illuminate its frescoes.

Are Pompeii's solar panels terracotta bricks?

Pompeii receives over 3.5 million tourists each year from all over the world that come to admire the ruins left by the eruption of the Vesuvius that, in 79 AD, engulfed the city . None of them, however, are likely to notice the solar panels disguised as ancient Roman tiles or terracotta bricks.

Who makes invisible solar tiles?

The family-owned company that makes the tiles, Dyaqua, started developing its “ Invisible Solar ” products more than a decade ago. Solar panels “were spreading much faster than before, and our first thought was about heritage cities like Vicenza,” says company spokesperson Elisa Quagliato.

What are PV tiles made of?

The traditional PV tiles are made from a polymer compound that allows them to resemble tiles made of conventional materials. "We can also give it the look of stone, wood, concrete, and brick. As a result, such a solution can be installed not only on roofs but also on walls and floors," said Quagliato.