When we flick the switch, the lights magically come on. Have you wondered where the energy comes from, to power our homes? 

Did you know that more than 80% of the energy that powers our homes, appliances, and vehicles, comes from burning fossil fuels? 

Scientific studies have shown us that burning petroleum products is not just unsustainable, it pollutes our environment and also creates greenhouse gases.

Over the last few decades, the world has been making great strides in moving towards renewable and clean energy sources such as wind and solar power. But progress has been slow largely because of the huge costs to build, store, and deliver the energy.

There was some good news last week.

Remember Elon Musk of the Tesla car fame? Musk is also passionate about solar energy and started a company called Solar City. He is working on technology to build batteries for storing energy at Tesla. Now, Musk is giving us another cause to celebrate with his new solar roof tiles. Musk has always been known for building aesthetic, innovative, and futuristic everyday products. And solar tiles are one of them. 

First, How Do Solar Panels Work?

All light, including that from our sun, contains energy. Usually, when light hits an object, the energy turns into heat - think of the warmth you feel while sitting in the sun.

But when light hits certain materials, the energy turns into an electrical current instead. How does this happen? Let's look at silicon, a material used in solar panels.

A thin wafer of silicon is specially treated so that the top half of the material has excess electrons. When light energy strikes the solar cell, electrons are knocked loose from the atoms in this layer and move to the bottom layer.

This movement of electrons generates an electric current. If electrical conductors (like wires) are attached to the positive and negative sides, you have a closed circuit that can power a light bulb! 

Solar Panels For Homes

Though many homeowners have wanted to install solar panels because it is environmentally the right thing to do, they have thought twice.

The bulky equipment, the costs associated with it, and more than anything the unappealing addition to rooftops have deterred them. Another big challenge has been storing the energy generated.

Musk hopes to change that with his focus on making solar tiles "beautiful, affordable, and integrated."

Now imagine a sleek and trendy roof that doubles up as a solar farm. It would gather the sun's energy and store it in batteries that can supply to the home as well as send the excess energy back into the electricity grid (to other users). That is the solution that Musk is proposing with his sleek, fancy, durable solar tiles.

The battery technology that he has perfected with his Tesla cars will store the power generated by the beautiful, long-lasting, and affordable roofs. Each durable glass-encased tile is embedded with a solar cell that is completely invisible from the street.

Musk has unveiled four different types of photovoltaic tiles - slate, terra-cotta, shingles, and a modern glass finish. Besides making a fashion statement, Musk wants the trendy tiles to impress homeowners to make the switch to solar.