PV roof tile SOLAR-TERRA

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In recent years, a large number of legal dispositions have entered into force in order to increase the share of renewable energies in the use of constructing buildings. Despite this, neither the European directives nor the national programs for climate protection have genuinely contributed to the controversial acceptance of photovoltaic (PV) installations on historical monuments and sites In terms of aesthetics, it seems indeed difficult to reconcile conventional solar modules with roofs of rural or urban centers; even with much good will in terms of architectural integration, black or blue glass surfaces sometimes reflect the sun intensely, inevitably giving rise to an impression of a foreign, even undesirable body affixed to the building. Faced with the services meant for protection of monuments and communal sites, many owners who wished to equip their buildings with solar installations were forced to defend their interests before the courts. Although case law has ruled repeatedly and clearly in favor of photovoltaics, the final results were rarely convincing from an aesthetic point of view. Moreover, until now, the solar module manufacturers have failed to offer optically and economically sound solutions to replace the traditional terracotta roofs on historic buildings. Thus, in spite of decades of photovoltaic installations, it is only on very rare occasions that solar installations have contributed to the aesthetic improvement of the landscape. Very often, the contrary has been observed.