Solar roof tiles blend seamlessly with your roof and allow you to generate free, renewable electricity.
Government research on factors influencing the adoption of solar technology in the UK found that over 42% of participants worried about the negative impact of solar panels on the attractiveness of their property. This makes solar roof tiles an excellent choice if you don’t like the look of panels but want to benefit from renewable energy.
Solar roof tiles can help you power your home in style, but they can be more expensive to buy and install than solar panels.
Quick Takeaways:
- Solar roof tiles replace the existing roofing tiles and can generate electricity
- They offer a sleek and discreet design, low glare, enhanced temperature regulation, versatility, and durability
- However, they’re expensive and have lower efficiencies and complex installation processes
- Solar tiles are more suitable for new builds, protected areas, or renovations
What are Solar Roof Tiles?
Solar roof tiles are small solar PV modules designed to resemble roof tiles. They serve a dual purpose by acting as roofing material and an energy generation device. PV roof tiles can be the perfect solution when the appearance of solar panels on your roof is the main barrier to investing in solar.
They’re also called solar shingles or slates and are an aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional solar panels. Panels are bulky and will sit directly on top of your roof. This can be offputting, especially if there is a contrast in colour or texture with existing roofing material like natural slates or clay tiles.
Solar tiles blend seamlessly with the roof and offer a more subtle look, making them suitable for properties in a heritage or conservation area.
How Do Solar Tiles Work?
Solar roof tiles work just like traditional solar panels. They use PV cells to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. When activated by sunlight, the cells generate direct current (DC) electricity, which is sent to an inverter and converted to alternating current (AC) suitable for household use.
Solar roof tiles come in many styles to match 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 provide a more classic or rustic appearance.
What Are the Advantages of Solar Roof Tiles?
Sleek and Discreet Design
Solar roof tiles have a sleek and discreet appearance. Traditional solar panels are easily noticeable on rooftops, but tiles sit flush without protruding from your roof’s structure. They’re ideal for homeowners who prefer renewable energy solutions without drawing attention.
Low Glare
Glare is common with traditional solar panels, but you can eliminate it with PV tiles. Most solar roof tiles feature specialised mineral coatings instead of reflective glass. This helps to reduce glare while allowing the tiles to maintain electricity production even in overcast or dim conditions, which is suitable for the UK’s dim weather.
Enhanced Temperature Regulation
Manufacturers usually integrate solar cells into the roofing tile materials. The materials act as heat sinks, keeping the photovoltaic components cooler. The cooling effect ensures solar tiles don’t lose output when temperatures rise. You also don’t need to worry about birds nesting under the tiles, an issue commonly associated with traditional panels.
Ideal for Heritage Properties
If you live in a listed building or a home in a conservation area, you’ll face restrictions regarding modifying the property’s appearance. Solar tiles offer an elegant solution, allowing you to switch to solar energy without disrupting the property’s aesthetics or violating local regulations.
Versatility for Complex Roof Designs
Solar roof tiles are smaller and modular, making them more adaptable to intricate roof shapes. They can fit around dormer windows, skylights, or chimneys and cover areas that traditional solar panels might struggle to accommodate. Such flexibility allows for maximized energy capture, even on unconventional rooftops.
Durable and Resilient
Solar tiles can withstand extreme weather conditions. Brands like Tesla feature all-weather protection that is three times stronger than conventional roofing materials. They can endure hailstorms, high winds, and other severe conditions without bending or breaking. In case of damage, you can replace solar tiles individually, like standard roof tiles, making maintenance straightforward and cost-effective.
What are the Disadvantages of Solar Tiles?
High Initial Costs
Solar roof tiles have higher initial costs and can be 4 to 5 times more expensive than traditional solar panels. The enhanced aesthetics come at a premium cost, and you must replace the entire roof. PV tiles are also a relatively new technology with limited availability and competition.
Lower Efficiency Rates
Solar tiles have lower efficiencies than traditional panels. Most PV tiles have efficiency ratings between 10% and 20%. Solar panels generally offer efficiencies ranging from 18% to 25%, making them more effective for maximizing energy output in smaller spaces.
Lengthy Installation Process
Replacing an entire roof with solar tiles is a time-intensive project, often requiring a larger workforce and specialized expertise. It can extend the timeline to two weeks or more and add to labor costs. Traditional panels are a more practical option if you’re looking for a quicker installation, as they take a day or two to complete.
Do Solar 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 require minimal maintenance.
You’ll need to keep them clean and clear to ensure they’re in good working condition. Rain can clean them well, 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 Solar Tiles in the UK?
GB-Sol
GB Sol manufactures solar slates and solar roof products in WALES using toughened glass, marine-grade aluminum, and stainless steel. The company has over 30 years of experience in solar power technology and is a top-rated solar PV manufacturer.
GB Sol sells PV slates certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and offers a 25-year product, performance, and weatherproofing warranty. The unit cost for the PV slates is £225 per square metre, or £6,520 for a 4 kW system, without installation or delivery.
GB Sol PV slates can blend seamlessly with natural slates, giving you a discreet and attractive solar roof. The slates have a peak output rating of 28W, and each weighs between 3 and 3.9 kg, depending on the model. This means it weighs less than a natural slate and will not increase the loading capacity of your property or require strengthening.
Solecco
Solecco Solar, based in Leeds, specializes in eco-friendly solar roof tiles made from recycled plastic. They offer multiple colors, including terracotta and dark red, catering to different roof designs and architectural styles.
Each tile has an efficiency of 17.39%, with a lifespan of 30 years. A 4 kW system from Solecco costs around £12,000. Their tiles seamlessly integrate into your roof’s structure, maintaining aesthetics while allowing renewable energy generation. The brand also offers non-solar tiles to maintain visual consistency across entire roofs.
Solecco manufactures the tiles using recycled plastic instead of glass to reduce its carbon footprint. The black tiles use monocrystalline cells, while the red terracotta ones are polycrystalline, and you can expect an output of 15W per tile.
XO Edge
XO Edge is a London-based manufacturer offering solar tiles combining functionality and sustainability. The company produces the tiles using construction-grade recycled plastic, significantly reducing their embodied carbon compared to traditional roof tiles or solar panels.
The tiles are lightweight, weighing 1.4 kg each, and require 84 units to generate 1 kW of energy. This equates to around 6.5 square meters of roof space for each kilowatt.
The sleek black and silver finish of XO Edge solar tiles complements modern architectural styles, providing an elegant solution for generating renewable energy without compromising aesthetics. The efficiency of each tile ranges between 10 and 20%.
Tesla
Tesla’s Solarglass Roof tiles combine innovation, resilience, and aesthetics to deliver a state-of-the-art solar roofing solution. Designed to mimic traditional roofing styles like Tuscan or slate, Tesla tiles blend seamlessly into homes, offering a clean and stylish look.
Solarglass Roof tiles are known for their unmatched durability and ability to withstand extreme weather conditions. They’re comprised of glass solar tiles that produce energy and architectural-grade steel roofing tiles for corrosion resistance and longevity.
The solar roof has a 25-year warranty, protecting you for decades as you enjoy clean energy. Thanks to the Tesla app, you can monitor energy production in real time and control the system from anywhere.
Although availability varies by region, Tesla has been expanding its distribution globally, and you can place orders through its online store.
Are Solar Roof Tiles Worth It?
Solar roof tiles are usually recommended for protected areas or properties where aesthetics is crucial due to the extra costs and efficiency limits. They can also suit complex roof styles like dormer windows, cross-gables, sloped gables, and other non-traditional pitched roofs.
Solar tiles replace all existing tiles, and your roof must be pitched at the right angle to ensure optimal performance. They’re still as durable as traditional tiles, can last 25 to 30 years, and can withstand extreme weather conditions like strong winds or hail.
However, installing solar roof tiles involves a complex process and can cost 4 to 5 times as much as solar panels. Therefore, they’re usually more suitable if you’re considering replacing an old, existing roof or installing them on a new-build property. If you recently put in a new roof, taking it all out and installing solar tiles may not be cost-effective.
Final Thoughts
Solar roof tiles can be a suitable choice when you need the benefits of solar energy but want to maintain a subtle, aesthetic look for your roof. However, they feature higher costs than standard solar panels and will generate less power due to lower efficiencies.
Sources and References
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/60edea3b8fa8f50c7f08ae1e/uk-rooftop-solar-panel-behavioural-research.pdf