{
  "id": 12981378,
  "title": "Why are more roofs not made of solar tiles?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/why-are-more-roofs-not-made-of-solar-tiles-12981378",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-08T23:09:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Business",
    "slug": "bbc-business",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdr7n610rmzo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Not all Americans are fans of the look of solar panels on their roofs, according to Kate Collardson, who oversees operations at Solar Service of Colorado, a solar maintenance and inspection company. For those who dislike the appearance of solar panels, an alternative exists in solar roofs, where the tiles or shingles house solar cells but maintain a similar appearance to regular tiles. This option has gained attention recently, following Tesla's discontinuation of solar roofs due to disappointing sales and a lawsuit over price hikes, causing shockwaves in the solar roof industry. While some view it as a potential end for solar tiles, others see it as a chance for growth. Companies like Freesuns in Switzerland, which has seen its sales increase by 20-30% since its establishment in 2019, are considering expanding into the US market.\n\nDespite the potential benefits, solar roofs face several challenges. They often require collaboration among roofers, solar installers, and electricians, and building regulations are usually more complex than for traditional solar panels, increasing time and paperwork costs. Repairing solar shingles can also be more difficult and expensive than repairing standard photovoltaic (PV) setups, as there is no mapping of electronics under the shingle. Solar roofs are also less efficient than traditional solar panels, partly due to their smaller size and the heat they retain. Additionally, colored tiles are less efficient because black is the best color for absorbing solar energy. The technological advancements needed to improve solar roof efficiency and appearance, such as matrix shingling technology, could help increase their popularity but require further development and better software for automated design. Despite these challenges, advocates like Martin Heinrich believe that solar roofs have the potential to generate additional electricity from roofs, making them a valuable addition to the existing solar panels rather than a replacement. Heinrich anticipates that, eventually, solar roofs could become standard for new roofs, especially for those who can afford the higher costs.",
  "summary": "Solar tiles were touted as an attractive alternative to solar panels - why have they not taken off?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Technology",
        "title": "Why are more roofs not made of solar tiles?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/why-are-more-roofs-not-made-of-solar-tiles",
        "published": "2026-10-08T23:09:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}