SolTech Energy makes an innovative roof tile that harvests solar energy with a traditional looking glass tile. The glass tile is heated by the sun and redirected for use by the central heating system. The system works with air-based and water-based heating systems, including, for example, a ground source heat pump, air heat pump, pellet boiler, oil boiler, or electric boiler.
SolTech Energy expects to bring the system to market in the U.S. sometime in 2011.
The system has a natural aversion to snow, what with the shiny tile surface and heat reflected from an absorption fabric below the tile. The tiles are UV resistant and last longer than conventional clay or concrete roof tiles.
When principal Terri Tomlinson took over the failing George Hall Elementary School in Mobile in 2004, she found a trashed building with no bulletin boards, 500 books that had never been taken out of boxes, and less than half the 540 students performing at grade level.
She also encountered hostility from a poor black community frustrated to see the entire school staff sent packing and a new team, led by a white principal, put in place. Because George Hall was one of the worst performing schools in Alabama, Tomlinson was able to remake the school from scratch, keeping only four of the staff, including two cafeteria workers.
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