World Climate Day – Climate change, sustainability and awareness raising
In celebration of World Climate Day, we have participated in conversation about our commitment to sustainability and environmental protection.
At Tejas Borja, we firmly believe that every action counts and that together we can make a difference.
As part of our celebration of World Climate Day, we have decided to take concrete steps to raise awareness and promote action in the fight against climate change. In a gesture of commitment and solidarity, we are giving an umbrella to each member of our team.
World Climate Day – Climate change, sustainability, awareness
This umbrella will not only serve to protect us from the weather, but also symbolises our collective determination to be part of the solution to the challenge of climate change. We want every member of our team to feel the power of their individual contribution and join us in our commitment to work towards a more sustainable future.
Throughout this day, we want to remember the importance of caring for our planet and working together to preserve its beauty and diversity for future generations.
Thank you for being part of this valuable initiative and for your continued support in our mission to create a better world for all.
Tejas Borja’s SOLAR FLAT-5XL wins Jury Award at Archello Awards 2023
Tejas Borja celebrates that the Solar FLAT-5XL product has been awarded the prestigious title of Roofing of the Year in the Archello Awards 2023 category, as voted for by the jury.
Excellence in innovation and design
The Archello Awards recognise innovation, design and architectural excellence, and the selection of Solar FLAT-5XL as the winning product in the Roof Cladding of the Year category, as voted by the jury, reflects its high quality and innovative design. This recognition underscores the company’s continued commitment to excellence in roofing solutions and reflects the dedication and expertise of the Tejas Borja team, whose ongoing strive for excellence has once again been reinforced.
Award Sustained by International Jury Evaluation
Solar FLAT-5XL stood out among the entries, capturing the attention of the international jury with its distinctive design and advanced technical features. The decision of the Archello Awards 2023 jury reinforces Tejas Borja’s position as an innovation leader in the pitched roof sector. We sincerely thank the renowned jury and the team who have continuously supported us in consolidating our position at the forefront of innovation in roofing solutions. Thank you for being part of our journey.
As we celebrate this achievement, Tejas Borja remains committed to constant innovation and delivering exceptional roofing solutions.
Discover the ultimate sophistication for your architectural project with Tejas Borja’s Flat-10 ceramic roof tile, now available in the stunning satin white finish, Ártica. This new finish option not only adds a touch of exclusivity, but takes the aesthetics of any structure to the next level.
Ártica, over the Flat-10 tile, offers a smooth and luminous surface that not only highlights the quality of the ceramic material, but also adds an element of modernity and distinction to the roof design. The combination of the flat tile shape and this elegant finish creates a clean, contemporary look that suits a variety of architectural styles.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the Flat-10 ceramic roof tile guarantees durability and weather resistance, ensuring exceptional performance over time. This versatile option is not only stylish, but also functional, making it the perfect choice for those seeking a balance between beauty and performance.
Elevate your project to new heights with the Flat-10 ceramic roof tile in Tejas Borja’s exclusive Ártica satin white finish.
Discover excellence in design and functionality for your roof and give your home or building the distinctive touch it deserves.
Coveringsis the largest and most-significant ceramic tile and natural stone conference and exhibition in the U.S. and North America. It is the stage for introducing some of the most innovative clay and stone products in the world.
The exposition and conference serve as a valuable and complimentary education resource for all segments of the industry, with dozens of learning opportunities throughout the show. Coverings attracts 20,000+ distributors, retailers, fabricators, contractors, specifiers, architectural and design professionals, builders, real estate developers, as well as journalists, reporters and bloggers who cover the vital ceramic and stone industry.Tejas Borja is exhibiting at Coverings 2023 – please join us! Register as our guest and visit us in booth #189
Tejas Borja will present its integrated photovoltaic solutions at COVERINGS 2023. The company’s range of SOLAR ROOF TILES allow clean energy to be generated without affecting the design of the roof, thanks to maximum integration into the roof.
You’re invited to join us at North America’s largest display of tile and stone, Coverings 2023, taking place April 18-21 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The ultimate destination for innovation and deal-making, Coverings is a hub of commerce, education, and inspiration that you can’t afford to miss.
Tejas Borja presents the new ceramic roof tile TBS+
Always trying to provide efficient and innovative solutions, and attentive to the needs of the market for the launch of products that meet current demands, Tejas Borja presents a new model of S-Interlocking ceramic roof tile.
The TBS+ ceramic roof tile is manufactured with a similar manufacturing technology to the TB-10 Tech roof tile, but with certain improvements related to installation.
This new model of S-interlocking roof tile has a pronounced S-shape, which makes the similarity to curved tile roofs much closer once installed on the roof. Manufactured in high quality red clay and with a very fine atomised finish. It has transversal and longitudinal overlaps that ensure total watertightness on the roof, respecting the minimum installation slope.
TBS+ ceramic roof tile
In terms of installation, it is recommended that it is fitted and fixed to battens with screws or nails through the pre-marked hole. In addition, the new TBS+ has been designed for a variable batten distance between 395 and 410 mm, to adapt to existing battens in renovation or to facilitate the adjustment of courses in new skirts, minimising the cutting of pieces. The useful width also allows some adjustment on site with a useful width between 211 and 221 mm.
Variable batten distance
Variable overlap
It is also suitable for installation with the two highly energy-efficient roof insulation systems, BorjaSAT and BORJATHERM, in its 395 mm batten pitch. The new TBS+ S-Interlocking roof tile is currently available in 3 recognised finishes in the Tejas Borja catalogue: Red, Manoir and Centenaria Ground, with plans to extend the range of finishes to a total of 8 colours.
TBS+ RED
TBS+ MANOIR
TBS+ CENTENARIA GROUND
This new product from Tejas Borja is defined by its low absorption and high resistance with minimum weight, as with only 11 units per square metre it constitutes only 35.5 kg/sq.m..
TBS+ detail
The TBS+ tile is the first ceramic tile format launched on the market by Tejas Borja since its recent incorporation to the Edilians Group, leaders in the manufacture of ceramic tiles in France.
Advantages and explanation of the photovoltaic (PV) solar panels
Solar solutions from Tejas Borja, where the PV solar tiles are integrated in the ceramic roof in a way such that their impact on the original design is the least, present many more advantages aside from the aesthetic aspect.
Energy self-consumption consists of generating energy in the place where it is consumed or close to it. This is achieved through the construction of an electric generation installation which covers the own electric energy consumption and also allows to save on electricity bills. The choice of material for the roof is decisive to guarantee the durability, watertightness, protection and energy efficiency of the home. Without losing sight of the aesthetic aspect of it, we always look for an optimized design according to the function that it has to fulfill. The integration is obtained by using ceramic tiles as a construction element to cover the inclined roofs.
With minimal visual impact from the solar panels and easy installation, TEJAS BORJA achieves the perfect architectural integration. The SOLAR tiles from Tejas Borja are manufactured to hide the solar panels to such an extent that they go unnoticed. Without the typical silver connections that we see in most photovoltaic products. With the same overlaps and fittings as the base tile, it provides durability and maximum watertightness.
In addition to the architectural integration of the solar tile in the original project, it is important to consider another series of aspects. The technology used in solar panels and advances in this regard offer us alternatives that seek improvements in efficiency, design and even in their environmental impact.
The solar panel technology used in the SOLARES tiles from Tejas Borja is: Solar FLAT-5XL Monocrystalline and Solar FLAT-10 .
The term monocrystalline (monocrystalline silicon or “c-Si”) is well known in conventional photovoltaic panels, but what is technology? We explain below its outstanding advantages.
technology – solar panels
Another aspect for which to use TEJAS BORJA FLAT10 solar roof tiles is their zero net impact on the environment and their harmlessness for human health:
On the one hand, the carbon footprint during the entire life cycle of photovoltaic cells in general and of thin-film cells more specifically, is much lower than that of conventional electricity generation technologies. Although it is considered that the carbon consumption of thin-film cells (including ) is less than that of silicon cells because large amounts of heat and therefore energy are required in the production of the latter. However, fine cell photovoltaic cells have traditionally had the drawback of incorporating toxic compounds, both for human health and for the environment. It is the case of the most widely used cadmium telluride (CdTe) cells, where the Cadmium is the main potentially toxic component, or as in some types of technology thin-film cells that incorporate cadmium sulfide (CdS) in their structure, which also makes them potentially toxic. Cadmium, with regard to human health, is a toxic element for the kidneys, bone and respiratory system as well as being classified as a carcinogenic substance.
In TEJAS BORJA’s FLAT10 solar roof tiles, not only cadmium compounds have been eliminated, but also lead, widely present in c-Si cells and which affects the nervous, hematological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and renal systems, converting it into in a 100% non-toxic technology. It also has the RoHS certification that guarantees compliance with Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Union on restrictions on the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
By not incorporating toxic substances, the TEJAS BORJA FLAT10 solar tile can be fully recycled. For this reason and because the carbon footprint caused during their production is largely offset by the clean energy they generate throughout their useful life, it can be concluded that these tiles are 100% respectful with the environment and people’s health.
BEST EFFICIENCY: SOLAR FLAT-10
Description of the phenomenon
The power generated by a PV panel depends largely on the incident solar irradiation, as can be inferred from its P-V graphs. Likewise, in the event of partial shading, the shaded cells are polarized in reverse, so that a large part of the energy generated by the PV panel is evacuated as heat in said cells. This phenomenon also occurs in technology PV panels (Solar FLAT10 tile technology) and is much less pronounced than in c-Si or poly-Si technology panels (monocrystalline and polycrystalline). In the following image it can be seen how in the PV panels of TEJAS BORJA (Solar Flat10 tile) the energy generated when the panel is shaded decays to a much lesser degree than in the c-Si panels.
Shading comparison: c-Si vs. – solar panels
With TEJAS BORJA’s solar tiles, it is not necessary to use microinverters or individual MPPT optimizers connected to each PV panel. This is especially attractive in integrated photovoltaic systems on roofs with a good number of obstacles such as chimneys, antennas, etc. in which partial shadows are expected at certain times of the day.
For all these reasons, TEJAS BORJA’s solar roof tiles are postulated as the best candidate to be integrated into the photovoltaic system of those locations where it is not possible to avoid partial shading of the PV modules, since it is the most effective in terms of shading, in addition to being more sustainable because it does not contain heavy metals.
MICROCRACKS
Description
Appearance of small fissures or cracks in the PV cells (specifically in the semiconductor material), of varied casuistry, which lead to a decrease in the performance of the same and, therefore, of the PV panel as a whole, and may even cause the reduction of its useful life.
On the one hand, the decrease in performance is specified in a lower generated power due to the electrical discontinuity caused by the micro-crack (of the semiconductor material itself, of the current collectors, of the welds…). On the other hand, the formation of discontinuities in the cell (which present a greater electrical resistance) can lead to the appearance of hot spots (heat dissipation in the zone of high electrical resistance), with the consequent degradation of the cell and, therefore, hence, from the PV panel.
Casuistry
It is practically impossible to guarantee that throughout the “life cycle” of a PV panel, from the time the sheets of semiconductor material are formed and their different “layers” are assembled in the manufacturing process, until reaching the end of its useful life (about 20-25 years), these micro-cracks will not appear. During the manufacturing phase, it is essential that the manufacturing company implement procedures that guarantee the correct handling, assembly and displacement of the modules in order to avoid the appearance of the aforementioned micro-cracks.
Likewise, it is decisive that, after finishing the manufacturing process, said panels are packaged, stored and transported/distributed in an appropriate manner, avoiding as far as possible sudden changes in temperature and crashing.
On the other hand, during the installation phase, the installation company must guarantee that the panels will be properly handled throughout the process: movement of panels and installation personnel, fastening of panels to structures, connection, etc. This is another of the critical points when it comes to avoiding the appearance of micro-cracks in the PV panel.
Finally, during the operation of the installation, the semiconductor material of the PV panels undergoes expansion and contraction due to the temperature changes experienced throughout the day, which can cause the growth of any existent crack caused by previous damage in the structure of the semiconductor material.
Due to the small size of the PV panels perfectly integrated into the TEJAS BORJA roof tiles, the chances of microcracks appearing are considerably reduced. On the one hand, its handling is easier, as is its installation, avoiding the panel buckling or hitting and, even in the event of a hit, the panel is integrated into a metal or ceramic structure, so the impact is absorbed by said structure. Likewise, as it is installed sequentially along the roof and does not require mechanical installation operations, it prevents the operator from stepping on or hitting the panel during said operations.
Conclusions
• TEJAS BORJA’s solar roof tiles, due to their design, manufacturing practices and installation method, make the appearance of micro-cracks very unlikely than a traditional PV panel, basically due to their reduced size and rigidity.
• The following image shows the results of a real electroluminescence test carried out on a 540Wp half-cell c-Si photovoltaic panel. It can be seen that in the small sector of the PV panel shown there is a large number of microcracks. Other tests carried out on installed panels show an even higher number of defects in the PV panels.
Microcracks (examples)
The color code denotes the severity of the identified defect, in ascending order: purple, green, yellow, red.
It becomes evident that after receiving a conventional PV panel at the facilities where it is to be installed, it may present a non-negligible number of failures that affect its useful life and performance.
HOT-SPOT AND FIRE
Description of the phenomenon
The phenomenon of the “hot spot” consists of excessive overheating of part of the PV panel, causing its eventual deterioration and even (very unlikely) combustion.
Casuistry
When the PV panel is partially shaded or an object/defect completely blocks the incidence of solar radiation (such as a leaf, dust, a blow to the front panel, microcracks in the semiconductor material, etc.), those affected PV cells may become reverse biased. This means that the cell begins to behave, in part, as a resistance that dissipates, in the form of heat, part of the electrical energy generated by the rest of the PV cells, with the consequent increase in temperature of the affected PV panel area. The energy dissipated in the shaded cell will be as larger as it was the difference in solar irradiation with respect to the rest of the PV cells. This phenomenon could be avoided by associating a bypass diode in parallel to each PV cell, which, in practice, is only carried out by sets of PV cells associated in series, with which the phenomenon is avoided to a certain degree, but it is not eliminated.
The hot-spot phenomenon is especially pronounced in traditional technology PV modules, such as c-Si or poly-Si (Crystalline Technology). In thin film technology PV panels and, more specifically, in panels, the effect of the hot-spot and the risks associated with it, such as the combustion of the module itself, disappear, since the shading partial blockage of part of the module, or even the total blockage of part of it, hardly suppose a slight increase in temperature. In the case at hand, TEJAS BORJA has carried out the most exhaustive experiments to confirm and verify this fact, whose description and most notable results are presented below:
The temperature rise of the shaded cells in the panel varies between 0.9ºC and 2.9ºC depending on the percentage of the shaded area (from 25% to 75%).
In case of total blockage of part of the PV panel, the temperature increase experienced by the panel is only 2ºC.
Lastly, in the event that the bypass diodes of the Junction Box did not work correctly, the temperature increase in the cells would hardly increase by 14ºC.
On the other hand, it should be noted that TEJAS BORJA’s FLAT-5XL solar roof tiles are made up of a ceramic tile specially designed to integrate the PV panel and the ceramic tile is inherently fireproof.
Conclusions
Thanks to the technology incorporated in TEJAS BORJA’s FLAT 10 solar tiles, the effect of the hot spot is avoided and the consequences that this entails on the solar tile and that it could have on the home itself in the event of a fire of the PV panel.
Thanks to the ceramic tile and the bypass diodes in conjunction with the reduced number of PV cells associated in series with the monocrystalline tiles of TEJAS BORJA, the effect of the hot spot is limited to the extreme.
As already analyzed in another TEJAS BORJA technical report, the design, manufacture and installation of TEJAS BORJA solar roof tiles minimize the possibility of the appearance of microcracks, one of the possible causes of the formation of hot spots in the PV panel.
TEJAS BORJA solar roof tiles are, therefore, safe to use from any point of view and in this specific case, it has been proven that they are also safe from the point of view of the appearance of hot spots.
The following image shows the difference in behavior of a solar tile from TEJAS BORJA compared to a c-Si panel when part of them is blocked by a tree leaf ( Left; c-Si Right ):
BORJATHERM system installed in the first building in Andalucía to receive Passivhaus Premium certification
Tejas Borja roofing systems installed the first building with Passivhaus PREMIUM certification in the south of Spain
There are only three buildings with this highest level of Passivhaus certification
Villa Suasana is located in the Mijas area of Malaga on the Costa del Sol. This isolated house has become the first building in Andalucía to meet the highest international energy efficiency standards and receive Passivhaus Premium certification.
Vila Suasana – PassivHaus – TEJAS BORJA
This project, developed and built by Aryon, who have their own specialized staff, was designed by the architect Amparo Corral. Moreover, to achieve such high levels of energy efficiency, the project also involved Castaño & Asociados, a leading consultancy on Passivhaus standards, all of which are members of the Plataforma de Edificación Passsivhaus(PEP, Passivhaus Building Platform).
The Passivhaus Institut has set out three levels of Passivhaus certification: Classic, Plus and Premium. The highest level is Premium, which not only demands considerably higher levels of energy efficiency than Classic certification, but also requires a building to generate a significant amount of renewable energy.
To receive Premium certification the primary renewable energy demand must be less than 30 kWh/m².yr, and the renewable energy generated by the building must be a minimum of 120 kWh/m2.yr.
Villa Suasana has managed to achieve this certification thanks to its south-facing orientation, which reduces heating demands, and its energy efficient building envelope.
Tejas Borja’s BORJATHERM system was installed in the roof of this demanding project. Thanks to the system’s low thermal conductivity coefficient (λ=0,022 W/m·K), provided by a layer of insulation only 140 mm thick, the roof gives the highest levels of thermal performance as required to meet the Passivhaus standard.
To meet another of the Premium standard criteria, a sizeable solar energy harvesting system was also installed, enabling the generation of 17 MWh/year. Solar roof tiles were installed over almost all of the south-facing side of the sloping roof, which were complemented with traditional solar panels on the neighbouring flat roof.
Both the carefully-designed envelope and the generation of energy contribute to giving the home a high level of interior comfort, without any of the problems usually caused by damp. Moreover, Villa Suasana is so efficient that it produces much more energy than it consumes.
With regard to its exterior finish, the house is made up of white facades which connect to some wooden structural elements. Both materials come together in the roof where they combine with Flat-10 Paris Ochre tiles, one of the tile finishes created using ceramic inkjet technology from the BorjaJETCeramic Slate range. Tejas Borja’s products are present in this prestigious building project at both a functional level, with the high efficiency BORJATHERM system, and at a design level, with the world-exclusive BorjaJET range. A project which can be seen as a watershed moment in the history of construction in Andalucía.
Tejas Borja makes a made-to-measure ceramic grid for the facade of the OLIVO SPORTS ARENA in Jaén.
Opened in April 2021, the Olivo Sports Arena is one of the latest large public construction projects to be completed. It is located in the Jaén Provincial Trade Fair and Conference Centre (IFEJA) and covers 41,300 square metres. With an oval-shape design and a sports field in its centre, the building is about 50 metres long and 30 metres wide.
It is a unique sports venue designed to be used for professional competitions in indoor football, basketball, handball and tennis, as well as to host large events such as concerts and other cultural activities.
The versatility of the space was planned so it could house large-scale events attended by up to 10,000 people. To this end it has fixed seating, and retractable seating which can be folded away. The building is also an addition to IFEJA’s current facilities and can add 3,320 square metres to the EXPOLIVA trade fair.
While the design of all the interior features takes into account sporting events, the design of the outside of the building seeks to reflect the essence of the region. Over a stone-like exterior, a flexible skin was designed to hang from a metal structure. This skin is made up of ceramic pieces in a range of tones which reflect the most characteristic colours of the province, from the ochres of Jaen’s nature reserves to the green of locally-grown olives. The upper part of the facade also has a crenelated design to remind viewers that Jaén is the area of Europe with the largest number of castles and fortresses.
Olivo_Arena-Tejas_Borja
Olivo_Arena-Tejas_Borja
The enclosure of the facade had to reflect the versatile nature of the building. The flexible skin was made using ceramic elements mounted on a steel structure which cover the building in the colours of olive tree leaves.
Olivo_Arena-Tejas_Borja
As well as providing an aesthetic function, the ceramic facade also reduces the solar radiation which affects the building, protecting the interior from heat. Tejas Borja was the company chosen to develop and make the ceramic piecesand their glazes in various colours, as determined by the mangers of the project.
Olivo_Arena-Tejas_Borja
The company, whose main activity is the manufacture of all kinds of ceramic tiles, is very versatile when it comes to adapting its manufacturing processes to make made-to-measure ceramic pieces for projects. Moreover, the company also has a technical department with considerable experience in creating unique pieces for special projects such as the Olivo Arena.
Olivo_Arena-Tejas_Borja
The Olivo Arena project also stands out because of its high level of energy efficiency, thanks in part to its air conditioning system and the interior and exterior LED lighting. Furthermore, particular emphasis was placed on thermal and acoustic insulation and in recovering rain water for water supply and irrigation, thereby reducing operating and maintenance costs drastically.
The Olivo Sports Arena in Jaén is without doubt a modern venue and a landmark project for Andalucia, one which is remarkable for its versatility, accessibility and simplicity.
The project to build the Olivo Sports Arena was tendered in 2019, constructed by Acciona to the specified deadline, and paid for by the Regional Government of Andalucia and the Jaén Provincial Government. This magnificent publically-owned sports venue is one of the most important which has ever been built in Jaén.
Answers to 10 frequently asked questions about solar roof tiles installation
Answers to 10 frequently asked questions about solar roof tiles installation
Currently solar power is one of the most sustainable renewable energies, one which enables electricity to be generated in the same placeit is going to be used to supply energy for lighting, heating and refrigeration.
There are numerous advantages to having a photovoltaic installation at your home or business. In addition to reducing electricity bills and improving energy efficiency, producing energy via a solar installation contributes to the fight against climate change.
Tejas solares
If you are considering buying a solar installation which makes use of the roof surface, Tejas Borja offers you an integrated, reliable solution. However, before making the decision to install the photovoltaic system, you must follow these steps:
Research relevant requirements and legislation.
Choose your preferred type of self-consumption.
Check the viability of a solar installation.
Select quality materials.
Hire qualified personnel.
Carrying out a photovoltaic installation on your roof is an important decision, as it affects both the building and the efficiency of the energy collection. In this post we have put together 10 frequently asked questions, whose answers you should know before making such a significant decision.
Q1. What are the benefits of solar energy?
When you take the decision to have a solar energy capture installation integrated into the roof of your property, you will reduce your electricity bills and protect yourself against future increases in the cost of electricity in the energy marketplace. How much you can save with a solar installation depends on various factors:
Your electricity tariff. If the tariff in your area is higher than elsewhere, you will save more money in less time.
Energy policies in your area. In areas where there are government policies to incentivise the generation of solar power, you could save even more.
The price of electricity. The price of electrical energy can be unpredictable. Any calculation of potential savings from a photovoltaic installation using solar tiles will be based on a price estimation. However, as it is likely that electricity prices will continue to rise, savings will also continue to increase year on year.
The solar tile installation capacity and energy consumption. Although a responsible consumption of energy is always recommended, depending on the amount of electricity you produce using your solar installation, you may never have to pay electricity bills again or may reduce your bills to such an extent that energy payments are never again a significant part of your household budget.
Choosing a solar installation is a wise decision regardless of the property’s location. When you decide to have a solar installation, your electricity costs become minimal and stable.
Q2. What are the environmental benefits of solar energy?
Similar to other renewable sources of energy, solar energy has many environmental and general health benefits. Firstly, it results in a considerable reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases, making a significant contribution to the fight against climate change. Moreover, it prevents the emission of other pollutants which can cause health problems, which would otherwise be generated during the production of energy through conventional methods.
Q3. What impact will a solar energy installation have on my house/property?
A solar energy system will increase the value of a property considerably. This increase will be greater when the installation is owned rather than rented. For comparison, a solar installation will add more value to a property than the renovation of a bathroom or kitchen, and even more if the solar system is integrated into the building.
Q4. How do the solar tiles work?
Solar tiles, like other solar power products (e.g. solar panels), capture light energy from the sun during the day and convert it into direct current. Houses and buildings usually use alternating current. The direct current from the solar installation passes through an inverter and is transformed into useable alternating current. Now the electricity can be used or consumed, or ceded/sold to the national power grid. There is also the option of installing batteries to store any excess energy generated during the day so it may be consumed during periods when it is not sunny.
Q5. Will my solar tiles produce energy on days which aren’t very sunny?
The amount of electricity generated depends on the amount of sunlight which reaches the tiles. There will be a small drop in the level of power generated if the tiles are shaded and they will not produce energy at night. However, using the latest technology in the manufacture of photovoltaic products, denominated by the acronym , we can guarantee we are offering the most effective technology for generating solar power in shaded areas. Using this technology we obtain high performance, highly-efficient solar cells which are also environmentally friendly as they are made from copper, indium, gallium and selenide and are free of cadmium and lead.
Q6. What happens if the solar tiles get covered in snow?
Solar tiles convert solar energy into electricity. If they are totally covered in snow, they will not be able to produce electricity. Thanks to the structural resistance of each solar tile and the way they are installed, any snow which may settle on them shouldn’t cause any structural damage to the product. Thanks to the roof slope and the sleek surface provided by the solar tile glass, snow will slide off the tiles easily or be simple to clean off.
Q7. Are solar tiles suitable for isolated properties which are not connected to the national power grid?
It is more common to find photovoltaic installations connected to a power grid, either because the property gets power from the grid at night when the installation does not produce electricity or because the owner of the installation wants to sell any excess energy it generates. However, an installation with solar tiles is suitable for isolated properties which are not connected to the power grid, but the installation must always include a system of batteries to store the energy generated.
Q8. If I have solar tiles will I still receive electricity bills?
If the photovoltaic installation with solar tiles does not include a system of batteries to store energy and the property is connected to the national power grid, you will continue to receive electricity bills from the public grid, but you can reduce these bills significantly with a solar tile installation which adapts to your energy needs.
Q9. Will solar tiles work during a power cut?
If the installation is isolated from the power grid you can guarantee a supply of electricity during a power cut. However, if the installation is connected to the power grid and does not include a system of batteries, due to the characteristics of the inverter, during a power cut your installation will turn off automatically to prevent anyone working on the installation from receiving an electric shock.
Q10. What maintenance does the installation require?
The solar tiles are manufactured using the best materials and components available for this purpose. With a ceramic or aluminium base, they are ideal to guarantee the watertightness of a sloping roof.
Over the entirety of their useful life, the solar tiles require minimal maintenance and often the glass does not even need regular cleaning. For more information, we recommend you consult the ceramic solar tile manual [here].
Tejas Borja, as part of its commitment to continuous improvement, is working constantly to enhance the design and functionality of its products and roofing systems.
Innovation and the implementation of new technologies in our production lines have led to a step change in what ceramic tiles are like, how they are manufactured, how they are decorated and what they are used for.
The importance of innovation in our sector has been determined by the requirements of the market. A market which is increasingly demanding. A market which demands the best materials, a greater use of technology, faster installation times and more efficient roofs.
In this context, Tejas Borja is joining a new revolution in roofing by having developed a single product which combines both style and energy efficiency. Thanks to these technological developments, Tejas Borja has expanded its catalogue to include a range of products which harvest solar energy.
These products integrate perfectly into the flat ceramic tiles in the “Flat” range so that they have minimal impact on the original design of the project.
The SOLAR FLAT-5XL ceramic tile, which has a solar panel on the large ceramic base of the roof tile, preserves the dimensions of the original ceramic tile and is still completely flat.
The choice of materials for a roof is crucial to guarantee its durability, watertightness, energy efficiency and to protect the home. For this reason the SOLAR Flat-5XL ceramic tile integrates perfectly into the profile of the building, minimizing the visual impact of the solar tiles. It has a matt black finish which is uniform (full-black) and anti-reflective. Moreover, the cell connections in the panel are practically invisible.
The ceramic base is available in all the finishes offered for the Flat-5XL tile, including the BorjaJET range of finishes, rendered using ceramic digital printing.
The SOLAR FLAT-5XL ceramic tile is available in two solar energy harvesting formats: monocrystalline and . The two types of solar panels use different technologies to better adapt to each project’s energy generation requirements and available space.
Teja cerámica SOLAR Flat-5XL
SOLAR Flat-5XL technical specifications
The SOLAR FLAT-5XL MONOCRYSTALLINE tile provides excellent photovoltaic cell performance and high output in low light conditions, although they are sensitive to partial shade. However, the tiles provide greater peak power per square metre than those using other types of solar cells.
On the other hand, the SOLAR FLAT-5XL * tile, which uses the latest high efficiency solar cell technology, provides high output in low light conditions, meaning the cells capture more light from the spectrum. Moreover, it is the most effective cell in shaded conditions, and is more environmentally friendly because it doesn’t contain heavy metals.
* is the acronym which denotes the latest solar cell technology made using copper, indium, gallium and selenide, and which is free from cadmium and lead.
Tejas Borja’s SOLAR range
As another option in the Tejas Borja solar range, we offer a format compatible with our other flat ceramic tile model, the Flat-10. The SOLAR FLAT-10 tile is the same size as 5 ceramic tiles with the same model name and incorporates technology in its photovoltaic panel.
SOLAR Flat-10 Tile
SOLAR Flat-10 tile technical specifications
In the SOLAR Flat-10 tile, the solar panel is added onto an anodized aluminium base, which is an ideal material for photovoltaic installations thanks to its high resistance, low weight and durability.
When are solar tiles a good option?
Whatever the type of project, be it a new build or renovation works, our solar tiles are designed to fit perfectly onto and provide a watertight seal for sloping roofs when installed together with their corresponding ceramic tiles (Flat-5XL or Flat-10).
To optimize the efficiency of solar energy capture, the sloping roof should preferably be facing south and have a minimum slope of 30%, the equivalent of 17º.
SOLAR tiles, both the Flat-5XL and Flat-10 formats, must always be installed on ventilated roofs, using a double batten or equivalent system. The integration of the tiles into the roof is achieved by finishing the roof with ceramic tiles and their corresponding special pieces.
In the case of roofs which have already been installed using ceramic tiles from the “Flat” range, as long as the recommended installation system has been used, the existing ceramic tiles can be substituted for equivalent solar tiles in the corresponding Flat format.
Tejas Borja does not guarantee the compatibility of their solar tiles with other tile formats or similar products.
At Tejas Borja, we have a technical team who can give advice on the design and specifications of a roof installation using SOLAR tiles, depending on the needs and requirements of each project.
We carry out feasibility studies to optimise the installation according to its power generation requirements. We recommend the ideal solar solution using available products. We propose a tile layout based on building plans, including a cable diagram and measurements. And we also provide a quote for every project.
