Solar roof tiles allow you to harness the sun’s power to generate green energy without changing the appearance of your property.
Studies show that aesthetic characteristics are one of the factors limiting solar panel adoption in the UK. Solar roof tiles are an excellent alternative to solar panels if you’re a design-conscious homeowner looking for sustainable energy generation.
Unlike traditional panels, solar roof tiles blend seamlessly with your roof, offering a more aesthetically pleasing and efficient energy solution. However, they usually feature higher installation costs.
Here’s everything you need to know about solar roof tiles UK, including the costs, pros, cons, who offers the best, and who installs them.
Quick Takeaways:
- Solar roof tiles can cost you at least double the price of standard solar panels.
- Solar roof tiles are more seamless, visually appealing, durable, and suitable for listed buildings.
- They feature lower efficiencies of 10% to 20% and more complex installation processes.
- You can get some of the best solar roof tiles in the UK from GB-Sol, Solecco, and XO Edge.
What Are Solar Roof Tiles UK?
Solar roof tiles are simply solar panels that look like roof tiles. They’re also called solar shingles or solar slates and are designed to look a lot like traditional roof tiles but contain photovoltaic (PV) cells that can generate electricity.
Instead of being bolted on top of your roof like traditional solar panels, solar roof tiles replace your old tiles and become part of the structure of the home.
They blend seamlessly with your roof and are an excellent choice if you want to incorporate solar technology into your home with a more subtle, aesthetically pleasing finish.
How Do Solar Roof Tiles Work?
Similar to traditional solar panels, solar roof tiles use PV cells to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity.
The cells generate direct current (DC) electricity, which is sent to an inverter and converted to alternating current (AC), which is suitable for household use.
Solar roof tiles come in many styles to match different architectural aesthetics, including textured glass, smooth glass, Tuscan, and French slate.
Textured and smooth glass can give a modern look, while Tuscan and French slate can give a more classic or rustic appearance.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Solar Roof Tiles?
Pros
- Sleek and Visually Appealing
Solar roof tiles have a stylish and sleek appearance and can help preserve your home’s aesthetic appeal. They’re more discreet than massive solar panels on your roof and will not be obvious to onlookers.
- Durable
Solar roof tiles are extremely tough and are built to withstand extreme weather. They can be three times tougher than traditional tiles, giving your roof adequate protection. You won’t need to replace them as frequently as standard roof tiles, giving you peace of mind and saving you money.
- Suitable for Listed Buildings
Listed buildings, like those in conservation areas, can have restrictions that prevent the installation of solar panels, as they can affect the appearance and stress the roof. Solar roof tiles, on the other hand, can be approved more easily since they’re discreet and lightweight.
- Energy Independence
Solar roof tiles are a clean and renewable energy solution and can give you independence from the grid. They can significantly reduce your electricity bills and offer long-term savings for the lifetime of the tiles.
Cons
- High Initial Costs
Solar roof tiles are an expensive solar technology, costing at least double the price of standard solar panels.
- Lower Efficiency
Solar roof tiles are less efficient than traditional solar panels. They’re usually less powerful, with efficiencies between 10% and 20% compared to 18% to 25% for regular panels.
- Complex installation
Installing solar roof tiles is more complex and time-consuming than installing regular solar panels.
The process involves removing your entire roof, installing a new underlay before fitting the new tiles, and wiring the whole system.
It can take around a week or longer, depending on the size of your property, while standard solar panels only take one to three days to install.
How Much Do Solar Roof Tiles UK Cost?
Solar roof tiles generally cost more than solar panels because the technology is newer, the market is far less competitive, and the installation process is longer and more complex.
Factors like the brand, the size of your roof you want to cover with solar tiles, and the system size will also impact the total costs.
The table below shows some average costs of solar roof tiles based on system size:
| System (kW) | Suitable House Size | Average Cost | Labour Cost | Total Cost Estimate |
| 1kW | One-bedroom flat | £5,500 – £7,000 | £1,800 | £8,050 |
| 2kW | 1-2 bedroom house | £7,000 – £9,000 | £1,900 | £9,900 |
| 3kW | 2 bedroom house | £10,000 – £12,000 | £2,000 | £13,000 |
| 4kW | 4 bedroom house | £12,000 – £16,000 | £2,000 | £16,200 |
Do Solar Roof Tiles Require Maintenance?
Solar roof tiles have maintenance requirements similar to those of standard solar panels.
They don’t have moving parts or anything that can rust and, therefore, require minimal maintenance. You’ll need to keep them clean and clear to ensure they’re in good working condition.
Rain can do a good job of cleaning them, but they may need a thorough cleaning every two to three years for optimal efficiency, especially if you live in a dustier area or by the coast.
Although they’re durable, solar roof tiles can still get damaged by debris impact, and it’s a good idea to have them professionally checked every few years to keep them running smoothly for longer.
Who Offers the Best Solar Roof Tiles UK?
You can get some of the best solar roof tiles from various companies in the UK. These include:
GB-Sol
GB-Sol manufactures PV slates in Wales. They’re designed to integrate seamlessly with slate roofs and are one of the few solar panel tiles already on the market in the UK. You can expect a power output of 28kW at peak performance.
Solecco
Solecco is a Leeds-based company that offers versatile solar tiles that can integrate into different roof designs and architectural styles. You can choose from eight different colours, from terracotta to smooth grey and English dark red.
XO Edge
XO Edge is a London-based company that manufactures solar roof tiles using construction-grade recycled plastic, allowing for even greater carbon footprint reduction. They can generate 12W per tile and boast aerospace-grade strength and UV resistance.
Final Thoughts
Although they can be more expensive than standard solar panels, solar roof tiles are an excellent choice if you’re looking for a visually appealing green energy solution for your home.
When making your decision, consider whether aesthetics is more important than maximizing your energy bill savings and electricity production.
Sources and References:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301421505000121