Most solar systems were designed to be added after a home is built.

They assume a roof is simply a platform. Something to mount onto, penetrate through, and work around. In many parts of the world, that assumption holds.

In Australia, it doesn’t.

Our homes face a unique combination of heat, UV exposure, wind, bushfire requirements, and building standards that place far greater demands on roofing systems than most people realise. When solar is treated as an add-on rather than part of the roof itself, those pressures compound.

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Australian roofs work harder than most

Australian homes are exposed to some of the harshest conditions in the world.

Extended heat loads, intense UV radiation, rapid temperature changes, high winds, heavy rain events, and bushfire risk all affect how roofs age and perform over time. Roofing materials here are expected to do more, and to last longer under stress.

This is why Australian building standards around roofing, fire performance, and weatherproofing are among the strictest globally.

Any system introduced onto a roof needs to account for that reality.

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The problem with adding solar on top

Traditional solar panels are mounted above the roof surface using brackets, rails, and penetrations. Roofing and solar are treated as two separate systems, often installed by different trades at different stages.

That separation creates challenges:

• Additional penetrations through the roof structure
  
• Disrupted water management paths
  
• Extra materials exposed to heat and UV
  
• Increased complexity at junctions and edges
• Increased uplift potential in high winds and storms

None of these issues are unsolvable. But they introduce risk, complexity, and long-term maintenance considerations that are rarely visible at the point of sale.

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Why this approach persists

Solar panels weren’t designed with Australian roofing systems in mind. They were designed to be universal. The same panel can be shipped, mounted, and installed across many markets with minimal change.

That scalability is part of their success.

But it also means the roof is treated as a surface to adapt to, rather than a system to integrate with.

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What changes when solar becomes part of the roof

Building-integrated solar takes a different approach.

Instead of mounting solar on top of a roof, the solar elements replace selected roof tiles and form part of the roof itself. Structure, waterproofing, and energy generation are resolved together.

This changes the conversation:

• Fewer layers and interfaces
  
• Continuous water management
  
• Materials designed to weather together
  
• A roof that looks and behaves like a roof while generating energy
  

From the street, the home looks unchanged. From a performance perspective, the roof is doing more than ever.

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Why integrated solutions are still rare

True integration is harder.

It requires coordination across architecture, construction, roofing, and electrical systems. It demands compliance with multiple standards simultaneously. And it needs to perform as both a building material and an energy system over decades.

That complexity is why only a small number of companies operate in this space, and why integrated solar hasn’t been widely adopted yet.

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Rethinking solar for Australian homes

As energy demands increase and building standards continue to evolve, the way we think about solar will need to change too.

In Australia especially, roofs aren’t just places to put technology. They’re critical building systems that protect homes, meet strict regulations, and endure extreme conditions year after year.

Designing solar as part of the roof isn’t about aesthetics alone. It’s about designing for context.

And in Australia, context changes everything.

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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. 

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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.

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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:

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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!