As interest in clean energy grows, a wave of new companies are rushing to bring energy-generating glass roofs to the U.S.
Hanergy, a Chinese company that specializes in clean energy, has released the Hantile, a series of glass-topped solar roofing tiles developed to generate electricity for the house. As first reported by Builder, the tiles, which are made from photovoltaics and high-transmittance glass and weigh 11.5 pounds each, are set to launch in the U.S. in the second half of 2018.
Hanergy, which is reportedly opening a California office where it will sell the tiles, did not release details on the cost of the glass roofs or when they’d be available to purchase.
The news come as companies rush to capitalize on a renewed interest in clean energy and alternative methods of heating. In 2016, Elon Musk’s Tesla Company announced it would launch the Tesla Solar Roof, which also generates electricity through roofing shingles.
It’s still unclear whether the Hantile will prove to be a competitor to Tesla, which began shipping and installing its roofs in April.