Why are more roofs not made of solar tiles?

Filed by Dirk Danger

Solar tiles, marketed as an attractive alternative to traditional solar panels, have failed to achieve widespread adoption. Tesla's abrupt decision in August to stop offering its solar roofs, following disappointing sales and a lawsuit over sudden price hikes, sent shockwaves through the industry, with other manufacturers also exiting the market. The technology remains hampered by significantly higher costs—often twice that of conventional panel systems—lower efficiency, and complex installation and repair requirements, though some companies like Freesuns see potential in emerging innovations such as matrix shingling technology. This matters because solar roofs could expand solar energy adoption, particularly for historic buildings with appearance restrictions, but economic and practical obstacles have so far limited their growth.