Solar roof tiles face low adoption rates due to high costs, complex installation hurdles, and lower energy efficiency compared to traditional solar panels. Following Tesla’s exit from the market in August, the industry remains deeply divided between viewing the product category as declining or ripe for expansion.
Tesla’s Exit Sends Shockwaves Through the Solar Tile Industry
For many consumers, the first time they heard of building-integrated photovoltaics was in August, when Tesla’s website stopped offering solar roofs. That decision followed disappointing sales and a lawsuit over sudden price hikes. Other companies have also pulled out of the sector, destabilizing the market. Some observers view the move as a death knell for solar tiles, while others see it as an opportunity for smaller firms.
One small firm looking to capitalize is the Swiss company Freesuns, which is considering expanding into the United States. Deborah Learoyd, CEO and managing director of Freesuns, estimates that the company’s sales have grown 20 to 30 percent since it was established in 2019. Despite this growth, manufacturing components in smaller batches limits economies of scale and standardization.
High Installation Costs and Complex Regulations Burden Roofing Businesses
Solar roof components remain expensive because every roof is unique and requires custom engineering and installation, as Learoyd points out. Kate Collardson, who handles operations for the Solar Service of Colorado and has worked as an installer and instructor, explains that traditional roofing businesses often reject the technology due to time constraints and paperwork. “You try to put a roofer into the equation and they’re going, ‘This is taking forever. I’m losing money. I could have sold 10 roofing jobs in the time that it takes me to sell this one,'” Collardson said.
Building regulations for solar roofs tend to be more complex than those for standard solar panels, requiring collaboration among roofers, installers, and electricians. Before factoring in repair expenses, a complete solar roof system might cost twice as much as traditional solar panels mounted on a roof.
Repair Challenges and Lower Energy Efficiency Complicate Maintenance
Repairing solar shingles presents unique physical and technical hurdles compared to standard photovoltaic setups. Collardson notes that traditional solar systems feature mapping and electronics on each panel to isolate issues quickly. Solar shingles lack space underneath for such electronics, forcing technicians to rely on thermal cameras to identify trouble spots.
Accessing damaged shingles creates further risks. Technicians must walk on adjacent tiles to reach a repair area, which can cause micro-fractures and lead to future failures, according to Collardson. Solar roofs are generally less efficient than mounted panels. The tiles are smaller, and sitting close to the roof limits airflow, trapping heat that impairs solar performance. Ben Graves, co-founder of UK solar company Sunsave, notes that colored tiles are even less efficient because black is the best absorbing colour.
Sunsave does not offer solar roofs. Graves believes most people in the UK simply do not have enough money to pay for them, noting that consumer focus has shifted heavily toward financial savings.
Matrix Shingling Technology Offered as a Solution for Future Growth
Supporters argue that solar roof tiles should not be compared directly to standard photovoltaic modules. Martin Heinrich, who leads a research group at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Germany, suggests viewing solar tiles as a way to generate electricity from surfaces that would otherwise just sit there.
Technological advancements such as matrix shingling may help bridge the gap. Freesuns is an early adopter of this technology.
Better software for automated design could also lower costs by speeding up unique architectural planning. Ten years after installing her own solar roof, Learoyd remains optimistic that embedded solar will eventually become standard practice for new roof installations among consumers with the financial means.
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