A study into the efficiency of embedded solar photovoltaic cells in double roman shaped roof tiles

This paper presents data obtained for a double roman shaped roof tile with solar cells embedded into the tile. The efficiency of a solar cell is affected by various factors which include the cell operating temperature, the solar irradiance incident on the cells from the sun as well as the composition of the solar cells. The solar cells used in the study are monocrystalline silicon cells. Due to the construction of the solar tile, the clear double roman PVC cover and thick black opaque PVC backing, natural cooling is not possible resulting in the cells operating at a much higher temperature reducing the output power. The transmissibility of the clear PVC cover is lower than that through glass resulting in less solar irradiance reaching the PV cells.