Have you ever thought about going solar? It's an amazing way to generate clean and sustainable electricity, reducing your reliance on fossil fuels. And the good news is that solar technology has come a long way, becoming more efficient and cost-effective than ever before.
When it comes to solar solutions, aesthetics have become increasingly important. This demand has sparked innovations in Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), facilitating the rise of aesthetically pleasing alternatives such as solar tiles, solar roofs, and solar glass facades.
Among BIPV options, solar tiles have emerged as the optimal alternative to traditional solar panels. They offer distinctive aesthetic appeal and outperform other BIPV applications in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
How Melbourne renewable energy specialist, Leeson Group, launched the world's most powerful solar tile, Volt
With over a decade of solar industry expertise, Leeson Group astutely identified a common worry among homeowners regarding the visual impact of traditional solar panels. The demand for visually appealing solar solutions was apparent, but existing options either compromised performance or carried exorbitant price tags. Director Peter Leeson, a Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) specialist, recognised the pressing need for a solar tile that could match the performance of traditional panels, remain affordable, and offer the desired aesthetics. Bridging this market gap became the driving force for Leeson Group, as they aimed to meet customer demands and accelerate solar adoption among homeowners, ultimately leading to a substantial reduction in residential carbon emissions.
In 2022, Leeson Group introduced Volt, a subsidiary company dedicated to the development of roof-integrated solar tiles. Volt's groundbreaking solar tile design combines elegant modern aesthetics with unparalleled performance, positioning it as the next generation of solar solutions. With affordability as a core principle, Volt strives to provide households with access to clean and affordable energy, enabling them to achieve their sustainability goals without compromising the visual appeal of their homes.
By forging strategic partnerships with esteemed entities in the renewable energy and building industries, such as Bristile Roofing and La Escandella, Volt aims to offer a diverse range of solar options tailored to meet customers' unique needs. These collaborations expand Volt's reach to a wider audience and solidify its influential presence in the industry. Leveraging Leeson Group's extensive expertise, Volt capitalises on its profound knowledge, actively contributing to the advancement of solar energy on a broader scale.
A Visually Appealing Alternative to Traditional Solar Panels
Volt Solar Tiles present an aesthetically appealing alternative to traditional solar panels as they seamlessly integrate into the roof profile. With its busbar-free solar cells, Volt boasts a sleek solar tile finish that effortlessly blends into the roof profile, ensuring a sleek and unified appearance. Unlike conventional solar panels mounted on top of the roof, Volt's interlocking features allow it to sit harmoniously alongside roof tiles, further enhancing the cohesive look.
One notable advantage of Volt Solar Tiles is the opportunity for personalised roof design. Through strategic partnerships with renowned roofing manufacturers such as Bristile Roofing and La Escandella, Volt provides a wide range of compatibility options. For instance, Volt Planum pairs with Bristile Roofing's terracotta range, renowned for its elegant and understated design. The terracotta tiles offer an exquisite selection of modern colours, including captivating choices such as caviar (deep black), slate (rich, profound grey), roja (timeless terracotta), and an array of other stunning shades. Notably, the ghost white colour option has gained significant popularity in recent years due to its elegant appearance and remarkable ability to reflect sunlight. This reflective characteristic contributes to maintaining a cool interior during scorching summer months, creating a delightful oasis of comfort within the home. For those seeking exquisite textures, Volt Lodge is specifically designed to complement Bristile Roofing's concrete range, known for its striking appearance and various texture options. The concrete tiles offer a range of grayscale colours, further expanding the possibilities to achieve a personalised aesthetic.
A Solar Roof Tile Designed to Last a Lifetime
When it comes to solar energy solutions, Volt Solar Tiles prioritise durability as a key feature. Unlike traditional solar panels that sit on top of the roof, Volt Solar Tiles employ an innovative interlock system. This system ensures secure integration with other solar tiles and their corresponding roof tiles, making sure that they remain intact during the most extreme climate conditions, which in turn extends the lifespan of the whole solar tile system. An added benefit of this interlocking feature is the elimination of drilling onto the roof profile, which is common practice with traditional solar panels. By removing the need for drilling, Volt Solar Tiles effectively minimise the risk of potential leaks, establishing themselves as a superior option in terms of durability.
The commitment to durability is exemplified in the meticulous construction of Volt Solar Tiles. These solar tiles are crafted with high-quality materials, including an aluminium frame that undergoes an anodisation process. This process creates a resilient protective layer on the frame, enhancing corrosion resistance and providing an optimal surface for embedding fade-resistant, long-lasting dyes. Additionally, Volt Solar Tiles are equipped with a tempered glass layer that undergoes rigorous testing to meet strict Australian standards. This tempered glass layer offers enhanced protection to the solar tiles, ensuring exceptional resilience even in challenging weather conditions.
To provide customers with added assurance, Volt Solar Tiles go above and beyond by offering industry-leading warranties. With a 15-year product warranty, Volt ensures that their solar tiles are free from defects in materials and workmanship, providing homeowners peace of mind regarding the quality and reliability of their investment. Additionally, Volt Solar Tiles come with an impressive 30-year performance warranty, which guarantees that the tiles will at least maintain 85% of its power performance after 30 years. This warranty reflects Volt's confidence in the longevity and efficiency of their solar tiles, assuring homeowners of their long-term value and sustainable energy generation.
The Most Powerful and Efficient Solar Tiles
Efficiency is a crucial consideration for those interested in solar panels, but many Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) panels have prioritised their aesthetics at the expense of efficiency. However, Volt Solar Tiles have done things differently, redefining the standards for efficiency and power output in BIPV products. Volt Solar Tiles are the only solar tiles with power output comparable to traditional solar panels. Volt Planum leads the way with a maximum energy output of 115W, establishing it as the global leader in solar tile power output. Meanwhile, Volt Lodge excels with an impressive maximum efficiiiency of 19.5%, positioning it at the forefront of the industry in terms of solar tile efficiency.
The key to this exceptional performance lies in the innovative MWT-PERC (Metal Wrap Through - Passive-Emitter Rear-Collector) technology at the heart of Volt Solar Tiles. MWT-PERC is a combination of two key technologies that address different efficiency challenges faced by other solar cell designs.
PERC cells were a major breakthrough in the development of more powerful solar cell designs. By incorporating a special passivation layer, PERC cells significantly reduce unwanted reflection from the rear surfaces of the cell. This traps more of the sun’s light within the cell, enabling higher generation of energy whilst also helping to keep the cells cooler for longer.
MWT technology tackles a different challenge faced by existing solar cells, internal tile shading. By replacing conventional busbars with a patented conductive layer underneath the cells, MWT virtually eliminates both the aesthetic and performance problems busbars can impose. This change also reduces the risk for the development of microcracks over the lifetime of the cell, which can limit the longevity of alternative photovoltaic cells.
Together, the combination of MWT and PERC technologies in Volt Solar Tiles results in a product that not only offers world-leading energy efficiency but also exceptional durability.
Are Volt Solar Tiles a More Cost-Effective Option Compared to Traditional Solar Panels?
If you're seeking an affordable solar solution for your home without emphasising aesthetics, traditional solar panels are an excellent choice. They offer reliable energy generation at a lower initial cost. However, if the appearance of your home matters to you, Volt Solar Tiles should be strongly considered.
Volt stands out among available solar tile options for its affordability compared to its predecessors. With an estimated price of $12,000-$16,0000 per 6kW system, Volt provides an accessible entry point into the realm of premium solar tiles.
In addition to affordability, Volt Solar Tiles excel in terms of efficiency. Their outstanding efficiency allows homeowners to achieve optimal energy production with fewer tiles, reducing both the upfront cost and the space required for installation. By leveraging this enhanced efficiency, homeowners can enjoy the benefits of solar power while maximising their return on investment.
While Volt Solar Tiles may have a slightly higher initial investment compared to traditional solar panels, the long-term value they provide through enhanced aesthetics and reliable performance makes them a cost-effective choice.
Want to know more about Volt Solar Tiles? Enquire now.