When I first received that invitation I was quite curious: Saint-Gobain Solar – the main French corporate in the business – has rebuilt an old church’s roof with solar tiles. What? I had to go there and see it myself. I knew that some companies were selling solar tiles, but I never saw any on an actual building and on a church!? Well yesterday I went there, in Manspach (Alsace), near Mulhouse in the East – of France. The XIXth century church is quite nice, and with those new tiles it even looks better. The roof, oriented toward West and East, is full of large solar tiles, connected to the city’s electricity network. I won’t give You any technical details, but You can take a look to those pictures. Alright I’ll give You some details….: those tiles are made of glass, dimensions: 870 mm x 870 mm x 7,5 mm. They’re 10,4 kg heavy and deliver a power of 36 KWc (the whole roof, 93 Wc for each tile). 353 m² has been installed on that roof – the south part of the roof has been filed with plastic tiles, made of recycled plastic.

In France You’re not allowed to produce your own electricity – by any means – You have to buy it. But You have the right to sell it. This church will sell electricity and bring money that way. This money will end up in the city’s  pockets, cause in Alsace – the region where this city is situated – cities are obliged, by law, to support the church’s heritage. The small town – 537 citizens -’s mayor is an eco-champion, proud of his city and his project. It’s good to see some mayors that enthusiastic. Maybe church and earth will survive because of that kind of initiative. Churchs could finally be useful!