Comparison of solar roofs available on the market
Glass-glass systems: Beautiful, but are they practical?
Let's start with glass-glass systems, often advertised as “solar roofs”. At first glance, they look impressive - large glass panes fused into the roof surface create a modern, minimalist effect. This is definitely a visually better solution than traditional panels protruding above the roof.
However, under this striking surface there are several significant challenges:
The question of waterproofing Imagine that under the glass sheet of your roof there is only a roof membrane. Sounds risky? Because that's the way it is. A membrane is, by definition, a temporary protection, used during construction. Most glass-glass systems lack a proper roof covering, which under normal conditions provides real protection against water and fire.
The problem of visual consistency What about the north side of the roof, where it makes no sense to mount photovoltaic panels? Glass-glass systems typically do not offer visually matched inactive elements. As a result, you have to use a regular sheet or tile, which makes the roof look like a random patchwork.
Mounting challenges Each manufacturer of glass-glass systems has its own unique mounting profiles. This makes even experienced roofers have to undergo special training. To make matters worse, it is difficult to predict the exact demand for materials, and reclaiming missing elements can take months.
The problem of “meeting” After several seasons, some glass-glass systems show a tendency to “meet” - the panels slowly slide down, forming leaks. This is a serious risk to the whole house.
Ceramic Tile Inserts: The Compromise You Can See
Another attempt to connect photovoltaics to the roof are insert systems for ceramic tiles. Although they look better than standard photovoltaic panels, they have their limitations.
The main problem is a clear contrast between active and inactive parts. The roof looks like it is composed of two different materials - traditional ceramic tiles and clearly cut off photovoltaic inserts. In addition, as in glass-glass systems, there is often a lack of proper roofing under the panels.
Photovoltaic Ceramic Tiles: Why Have They Not Succeeded?
The history of ceramic photovoltaic roof tiles is a fascinating lesson in how seemingly good ideas clash with technical realities. The main problem lies in the size - small tiles require a large number of electrical connections, which increases the risk of failure.
Added to this is the issue of efficiency. Each photovoltaic panel requires a protection diode, which itself absorbs 0.7V. When the tile is small and contains only three cells (each 0.5V), almost a third of the energy is lost on the protection itself. Larger ceramic tiles are not an option - the material is too fragile.
Tesla Solar Roof: Ambitious Failure
Tesla tried to solve the problem of electrical connections in an innovative way - instead of the standard MC4 connectors, it used copper contacts that connect under the weight of the roof tiles. Unfortunately, practice has shown the weakness of this solution - after a few years, the contacts begin to fail. As a result, Tesla has significantly reduced sales of its solar roofs, which are currently not even available in Europe.
Why are Electrotile systems different?
Unlike the solutions described above, Electrotile systems are designed based on proven roofing technologies. We use sheet metal as the base for our products, which allows us to create modules of optimal size (0.5-1m²) without the risk of cracks or damage.
Each of our systems has its own specifics:
- eTile Classic - uses a sheet metal tile format with 8 or 4 panels per module, providing the perfect balance between size and performance.
- eTile Flat - is based on the popular sheet metal seam system, offering a minimalist design with one large panel.
- eTile Step - combines flat sheet metal tile with a horizontal arrangement of panels, creating a unique visual effect.
- eTile Karo - inspired by traditional titanium-zinc sheet coatings, offers a classic look with modern functionality.
- eTile Fusion - a revolutionary solution that allows you to modernize existing hipped roofs without interfering with their structure.
Most importantly, all Electrotile systems provide:
- Full roofing under photovoltaic modules
- Consistent appearance of the entire roof, including inactive parts
- Proven mounting solutions familiar to roofers
- Optimal surface utilization without compromising on safety
summary
When choosing a solar roof, it is worth looking not only at the visual effect of the “first day”, but, above all, at the long-term safety and reliability of the system. Membrane-only solutions or risky experiments with new connection technologies could pose problems in the future.
Did you know that... A traditional photovoltaic installation requires drilling dozens of holes in the roof, while integrated systems such as eTile maintain the full integrity of the roofing?
Want to learn more about a specific system or schedule a consultation with an expert? Check out the detailed descriptions of our products or contact us to discuss your project.
