Solar Roof Tiles & Slates
Solar roof tiles and slates replace the roof covering itself. The elevation reads as slate or tile, not a rack of panels, because the tiles are the roof. We design and specify integrated tile systems for new builds, re-roofs and period homes.
A roof, not a rack of panels
A solar roof tile is a photovoltaic module shaped to sit within a normal roof covering. It takes the place of the slates or tiles around it. There is no aluminium frame above the roof, because the generating surface is the roof.
A good solar slate roof reads as one calm, dark plane from the street, while a panel array announces itself. There is no shadow line and no bracket. For many owners, and for most conservation officers, that is the whole point.
Several makers now supply these products to the UK, although they differ in look and format. Our guide to who makes solar roof tiles in the UK compares them. It also explains which roofs suit each system.
When solar tiles are the right specification
Integrated tiles usually cost more per kilowatt than on-roof panels. We therefore recommend them only where appearance drives the decision. Our breakdown of what solar roof tiles cost in the UK shows how to budget for them. In practice, three situations make the case.
- 1 New builds and full re-roofs. The covering is coming off anyway, so you avoid paying for a roof twice.
- 2 Period and character homes. Bolt-on panels would look wrong, or would struggle to win consent.
- 3 Prominent elevations. A street-facing pitch is part of the architecture, not just weatherproofing.
Choosing between the options
Buyers often ask about the Tesla Solar Roof, since it is the best-known name. Our short note on whether the Tesla Solar Roof is available in the UK gives the current position. We are not tied to any one maker, so we compare what you can actually buy.
A stone-slate roof in a village is a different problem from a London mansard, because the materials and sightlines differ. In the Cotswolds the challenge is colour and texture, and we cover it in our note on solar for Cotswold stone and slate roofs. In town, solar for London townhouses and mews roofs is more about neighbours and sightlines.
Roof shape, shading and orientation
Not every roof suits tiles equally. Output depends on direction, pitch and shade, as it does for any solar. A clear south-facing pitch performs best in the UK, although east and west pitches can still earn their keep.
Because tiles are laid course by course, complex roofs need more planning. Hips, valleys and dormers all cut the usable area. We therefore draw the layout early and test it against the roof geometry before we price anything.
Shade matters too. A chimney or a neighbouring tree can cut output on part of an array. In that case we may split the array across more than one pitch, while keeping the overall look balanced.
We also confirm the structure and the weathering details with the roofer before work starts. The roof must stay watertight for decades, so this check comes first. After that, the electrical design follows the roof, not the other way round.
Batteries and inverters need a home too. We plan where they sit before the drawings are final, because a neat roof means little if the cupboard is a mess. Then the whole system, from tile to meter, is designed as one piece.
How we approach the design
We match tile format, colour and module layout to the existing or proposed covering. We do this because the aim is a roof that looks planned, not patched. Then we set the array out so that ridges, valleys and hips stay clean.
Every scheme starts with the elevation, not the electrical yield, because the roof must look right first. First we size the generating area to suit the design. Then we confirm the output, inverter and battery strategy around it.
Ready to test an idea? Send us your drawings or photographs through the enquiry form. We will tell you honestly whether tiles suit the roof, because they do not suit every one.
Frequently asked questions
Do solar roof tiles look like a normal roof?
That is their purpose. A solar slate or tile is laid within the roof covering, so it sits flush with the slates around it. However, on most schemes you can only tell the difference close up.
Are solar roof tiles more expensive than ordinary panels?
Per kilowatt, they usually are. The gap narrows on a new build or full re-roof, because the covering is being paid for anyway. The tiles then replace part of it instead of adding a layer.
Can you match solar tiles to my existing roof?
Often, yes. Solar slates come in formats made to sit beside natural and man-made slate. We check colour, size and coursing at survey, because a poor match shows.
Start with your drawings
Tell us about your building and the stage you are at, because the right approach depends on both. We will advise and, where it fits, take the project through to a finished installation.