Brazil: Eternit has launched Eternit Solar, a fibre cement photovoltaic roof tile, across Brazil. Local press has reported that the tile has a power capacity of 142Wp, compared to 15Wp for conventional tiles. It is fully compatible with conventional fibre cement roof tiles in roof construction. Eternit says that four to six tiles will provide sufficient energy for a single home. The company tested the product in partnership with the Energy and Environment Institute of the University of São Paulo (IEE-USP) and the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). It produces the Eternit Solar tiles at its Atibaia plant in São Paulo, but plans to subsequently build a dedicated plant.
Eternit president Luís Augusto Barbosa said "The commercialisation of Eternit Solar is an important step for the future of the company. While the concrete photovoltaic tile is aimed at a niche market, the fibre cement photovoltaic tile is intended for high-volume applications. It is a revolutionary technology that will benefit a larger section of the population due to its more accessible cost.” He concluded “Eternit is on the market to democratise solar energy.”
