What is a solar roof tile?
Before we take a look at some of the advantages that a solar tile can provide, we thought we would first explore what these unique products are. The stylish tiles offer property owners a way to seamlessly integrate solar technology without the need for large and often unsightly panels on their roofs.
These solar tiles completely replace a portion of the roof tiles, creating a clean and beautiful finish. Although they look different to the more traditional panels, solar roof tiles work in the same way, generating electricity from the sun to power your home.
What are the benefits of a solar roof tile over a solar panel?
The use of solar panels is skyrocketing across Australia, with over three million homes and businesses now being powered by some form of solar energy. As technology advances, these systems are becoming smaller and more powerful, and solar roof tiles offer a huge array of advantages compared to bulkier panels:
Aesthetics
When it comes to choosing between solar roof tiles or a solar panel, the former is a far more aesthetically pleasing option. The sleek and stylish finish that solar roof tiles provide helps to ensure that they blend seamlessly into the rest of your property, making them appear a natural part of the property.
This compares to solar panels, which stand out and can often be an unsightly addition to any property.
Ease of installation
Another major advantage of a solar roof tile compared to a solar panel is how easy they are to install. These tiles replace your existing roof lining structure, ensuring that there is no need for extensive brackets or structural changes.
Solar panels can also be a very heavy addition to a property, which means that certain buildings will not be able to support their weight. Integrated solar panels are not only lightweight, they also reduce the amount of roof tiles needed on the home, making them a far more viable alternative.
Low maintenance
Solar roof tiles are also a very low-maintenance alternative to panels. There are no moving parts or external pieces, and there are no gaps to trap litter and debris which would otherwise require periodic removal from underneath traditional solar panels.
Solar Tiles are installed at a typical minimum pitch of around 22 degrees which means they are what the industry considers ‘self-cleaning’.
Are there any disadvantages?
While there are many advantages to installing solar roof tiles on your property, certain options on the market can be more expensive than panels, and some have a markedly lower efficiency level. Solar panels can be installed on an existing roof, whereas solar tiles usually need to be installed with a new roof. Solar tiles have also historically been lower solar efficiency than solar panels, Volt however, is the first solar tile to rival a solar panel in terms of efficiency.
To summarise, A solar tile system is aesthetically sleek and inconspicuous, with a simple installation involving integration into a newly built roof. While solar panels are more powerful regarding maximum output and can be installed on most roofs, the installation process is much more complex, negatively affecting the home’s curb appeal.
Looking to discover the benefits of solar roof tiles?
If you are looking to transform your energy use, then Volt is here to help you. We have created the world’s most powerful roof tile, engineered to be more efficient and affordable than ever before. Using innovative technology, our team has been able to revolutionise the world of solar energy, so if you want to find out how Volt solar tiles can benefit you, get in touch and request a quote today!