There are a number of companies that now produce solar panels that prioritize not only efficiency and effectiveness, but aesthetic beauty as well. And while embracing sustainable energy production is always a good look, it doesn’t hurt to choose panels that enhance a home or other building’s appearance as well. How can solar designers satisfy a client’s aesthetic desires without compromising on the quality and function of the installation itself?

Form and Function, Combined

Solar Design Studio recently embarked on an exciting project for a client in Mission Hills, KS. If you’re not familiar with the area, it’s a high-end neighborhood filled with large, stately homes - all of which tend to be built and outfitted with top of the line materials and finishes. This project was the first solar installation in the area, and as you may imagine, the neighborhood is quite particular about preserving its long-standing aesthetic quality.

In consultation with our client, we chose to design and install a system comprised of CertainTeed’s Apollo® Tile II line. CertainTeed is no stranger to the roofing industry, with an over 100-year history of providing high-end roofing materials. Their venture into the solar space doesn’t compromise on their aesthetic standards. The Apollo® Tile II integrates top-tier solar function, durability, and water and wind resistance.

“The Apollo® Tile II system is the pinnacle of roof-integrated energy production, using high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells to capture the most energy per square foot of any solar tile,” CertainTeed writes. “Apollo Tile II also functions as your roof, generating clean power while blending seamlessly into the surrounding tile and protecting your home from water intrusion.”

The tile is designed specifically to provide visual continuity with existing concrete roof tiles, complete with custom-colored frames that can match any tile color. They are lightweight, durable, wind resistant, and watertight. And with a power rating of 60 watts per tile, they provide maximum power and aesthetics. Our residential installation in Mission Hills has a total system size of 11.09 kW and includes the Tesla Powerwall for battery storage.

Residential Solar-Plus-Storage

No high-end solar system is truly complete without a battery storage component. As we’ve previously written in regard to Solar-Plus-Storage systems, for consumers “considering the return on their investment in solar technology, battery storage makes strong financial sense.” The ability to produce and store power liberates residential solar adopters from the increasing fees and rates implemented by utility companies.

The Tesla Powerwall is a “rechargeable lithium-ion battery with liquid thermal control” that stores excess energy generated by solar panels for use when needed. It’s also a gorgeously designed solution for home battery storage. When connected to a solar array, it is able to provide 100 percent of its own power needs and store enough power to provide over 7 days of electricity in the event of a grid outage. Integrating a Powerwall into a residential building minimizes consumer’s reliance on their utility company to seamlessly meet home power needs.

In their review of the product, EnergySage writes that the Powerwall “may represent the first time in history that everyday homeowners are truly excited about the potential of storing energy at their home.” They note that Tesla’s reputation for innovation and design excellence is a powerful draw for consumers looking for a high-end battery storage solution. Especially for homeowners who pay time-of-use utility rates, pairing solar panels with a battery like the Powerwall is a smart financial decision.

Our Commitment to Excellence

At Solar Design Studio, our history of providing residential solar consumers with cost-effective solar solutions is paired with a commitment to satisfying each client’s unique aesthetic and technical needs. Partnering with our client in Mission Hills has created an exciting opportunity to develop and implement a high-end solar-plus-storage system that combines unobtrusive visual beauty and top-tier power production and storage. The pairing of CertainTeed’s Apollo® Tile II and Tesla’s Powerwall is a potent combination that honors both form and function, and both our team and our client are thrilled with the result.

Are you looking for a residential solar solution that looks great and works beautifully? Contact us today to start a conversation about how our products and services can meet your power needs, save you money, and enhance the beauty of your new or existing home.

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