INTEREST IN SOLAR TILE HEATS UP

THE Gold Coast company behind a solar power-generating roof tile has earned a $236,000 grant from Commercialisation Australia as it prepares for market launch later this year.

B-Pods won the grant as it moves to introduce its Tractile product range into the Australian and international markets. The product line is undergoing final testing at Bond University’s Institute of Sustainable Development and Townsville City Council’s Rowes Bay depot.

B-Pods chief executive officer Jason Perkins says the Tractile Solar Energy Roof Tile transformed the humble roof tile into a technical package that generates both electricity and hot water for buildings.

The technology has patents filed in 28 countries and the Southport company is looking for potential partners for the Australian and international markets.

“This is a world-beating technology product and we are looking to raise capital to help fund our international goals,” says Perkins.

“We want to secure relationships with major corporate partners to take advantage of their market size and existing marketing and distribution channels to ensure that the global roll-out of the Tractile product range is efficient and effective.”

B-Pods Pty Ltd has received substantial interest and Perkins is hopeful can start licensing distributors around the world in the next 12 months.

The company has spent more than $2 million testing and preparing its three main roof-tile products before their market launch.

The Tractile Solar Energy Roof Tile incorporates its KISSTile technology, which was a finalist in the 2006 Australian Design Awards.

“The Tractile Solar Energy Roof Tile is designed to look very much like a modern roof tile and not take away from the design of the house,” says Perkins.

“Normal roof mounted solar panels are ugly and expensive, whereas Tractile Solar Roof Tiles are beautiful and give you a roof, electricity and free hot water.”