Onyx Solar has introduced walkable PV tiles for urban environments, offering a sustainable way to generate clean solar energy. Made with durable safety glass and featuring anti-slip surfaces, these versatile tiles can be installed on rooftops, sidewalks, decks, and patios, providing a customizable and efficient solution for areas where space is limited.
Walkable PV Tiles for Urban Spaces
Onyx Solar—a leading innovator in building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solutions—has unveiled its new walkable PV tiles. These versatile tiles combine functionality with sustainability, offering a unique way to integrate solar energy generation into urban settings, including rooftops, decks, sidewalks, and patios.
Weighing 23 kg, the newly launched PV tiles have a standard dimension of 75 x 75 cm and a nominal capacity of 75 W. For greater flexibility, Onyx Solar also offers custom sizes up to 4m x 2m.
Each tile is made with 8 mm-thick safety glass featuring an anti-slip surface to enhance pedestrian safety. Diego Cuevas, Onyx Solar’s vice president of business development in North America, confirmed the tiles are designed for heavy pedestrian traffic and can withstand loads of up to 400 kg/m².
To ensure efficiency and longevity, each walkable PV tile contains 16 multicrystalline silicon cells arranged in a five-busbar layout and encapsulated in durable ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foil.
The company’s patented system also meets stringent international safety standards, holding a UL410 certification for slip resistance and approvals from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
The tiles are designed for compatibility with standard raised-access floor systems, such as those using PVC polymer or metal pedestals. This feature allows for easy installation and electrical interconnections on the back of each panel, giving architects and engineers greater design flexibility. Cuevas emphasized that the choice of system depends on the client or design team’s requirements, making the tiles suitable for a wide range of applications.
Transforming Urban Energy Solutions
Onyx Solar’s PV tiles offer a practical solution for generating energy in dense urban areas where land is at a premium. By enabling power production without compromising usable space, these innovative tiles are ideal for crowded city environments.
Cuevas highlighted this benefit, particularly for a city like New York, where high property values make every square foot critical.
Local regulations are also driving the adoption of this technology. In New York City, for example, Local Laws 92 and 94 mandate that certain buildings incorporate solar panels or green roofing systems. Cuevas noted that these laws have significantly boosted demand for products like walkable PV tiles, which align with the city’s sustainability goals.
Onyx Solar’s walkable PV tiles have already been featured in several high-profile projects. In Spain, they have been installed at iconic locations like Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences and the Royal Theater of Madrid. These installations showcase the tiles’ ability to blend seamlessly with architectural designs while generating renewable energy.
In the United States, Onyx Solar has supplied its PV tiles to prominent corporations like Apple and for private residential projects in New York City.
A recent Manhattan installation at 625 Avenue of the Americas highlights the tiles’ versatility and aesthetic appeal. Completed in collaboration with New York-based solar installer Solardeck, the project seamlessly integrated the PV tiles into an Ipé hardwood grid frame.
Durable and Sustainable Design
Built with robust materials, the walkable PV tiles ensure both safety and long-term durability. Their anti-slip surface and high weight tolerance make them suitable for heavy pedestrian use, while the integrated photovoltaic technology generates clean energy efficiently and reduces reliance on traditional power sources.
Onyx Solar’s focus on sustainability is evident in the product’s design and implementation. The tiles not only contribute to renewable energy production but also align with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints. By integrating these PV tiles into urban landscapes, cities can make significant progress toward energy independence and sustainability.
The success of these tiles in high-profile projects underscores their potential to revolutionize urban spaces. By combining innovative technology with practical design, Onyx Solar is setting new benchmarks in the renewable energy industry. As cities worldwide grapple with energy challenges and space constraints, these walkable PV tiles offer a glimpse into a cleaner, greener future.
