Solar roof tiles are roof tiles with photovoltaic cells built in, so the roof covering and the solar system are one product. They cost well above a standard panel system for the same output, and suit new builds and re-roofs more than a quick add-on (indicative — get itemised quotes).
This guide compares solar roof tiles with panels, covers concrete, terracotta and steel tile options, and shows how to clean tiles safely without a pressure washer.
Key points
- Integrated solar tiles replace the roof covering, while standard panels sit on top of it, so tiles make sense mostly when the roof is being replaced anyway.
- Concrete and terracotta tiles remain the most common roof tiles in Sydney, and the right choice depends on your frame, colour and budget.
- Solar wiring must be done by a licensed electrician or accredited solar installer, and never by the roofer or homeowner alone.
- Old fibre-cement roofing and vinyl floor tiles can contain asbestos, so get a licensed assessor before you drill, cut or sand.
What are solar roof tiles?
A solar roof tile looks like a normal tile or shingle but contains solar cells that feed your home’s electrical system. The tiles interlock with the surrounding roof tiles, so the roofer and the electrician must work together.
| Term | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Solar roof tiles | Tiles or shingles with built-in solar cells that replace part of the roof covering | A neat look, but a higher cost per watt than panels |
| Solar panel on a roof tile roof | Panels fixed above the tiles on brackets that pass through the tiles | The cheaper option, but each bracket is a leak point |
| Solar shingles | Thin solar roof coverings made to look like shingles | Limited choice in Australia, so check availability |
| Volt solar tile | A product name that appears in searches | Check current availability, certification and warranty with the supplier |
| Accredited installer | Electrician or solar installer licensed for the wiring and system | Required for connection to the grid and for rebates |
- How they work: cells convert sunlight to electricity, an inverter changes it to household power and the system feeds your switchboard.
- What is different: the tile also has to keep the weather out, so flashings and overlaps matter as much as the cells.
- What to ask: request the product’s data sheet, wind rating, fire rating and warranty before you commit.
Types of solar roof tiles and roof tile types
Most homes will choose between standard roof tiles with panels on top, and integrated solar roof tiles that replace some of the covering.
| Type | Best for | Lifespan / strength | Price band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete tile | Most Sydney homes and re-roofs | Long life, heavy | $$ (indicative — get itemised quotes) |
| Terracotta tile | Heritage and premium looks | Very long life, heavy | $$$ (indicative — get itemised quotes) |
| Steel tile (Decramastic, stone-coated) | Lighter frames and re-roofs over existing battens | Long life, light | $$ (indicative — get itemised quotes) |
| Tin roof tiles (profiled steel) | Tile look in a light sheet product | Long life, light | $$ (indicative — get itemised quotes) |
| Integrated solar tiles | New builds and full re-roofs | Depends on the product and its warranty | $$$$ (indicative — get itemised quotes) |
| Standard panels on tiles | Existing tile roofs in good condition | Panel life is long, roof tiles must outlast it | $$ (indicative — get itemised quotes) |
Concrete roof tiles and Monier tiles
Concrete is the workhorse of Australian roofs, covered in our concrete roof tiles guide.
Boral roof tiles
Boral is another major supplier, and our Boral roof tiles guide covers profiles and colours.
Solar roof tiles cost vs panels
Integrated tiles cost more than a panel system for the same output, and the premium is largest on small roofs.
| Option | Typical price (AUD, Oct 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard solar panels on a tile roof | Several thousand dollars for a typical home system (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Includes inverter, brackets and wiring |
| Integrated solar tiles, supply and install | Often two to four times the panel price (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Also replaces part of the roof covering |
| Concrete tile re-roof, per m² | $100–$170 (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Excludes solar |
| Terracotta re-roof, per m² | $130–$220 (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Excludes solar |
| Roof tile paint and restoration | See our restoration cost guide | Cheaper than replacing the roof |
- Rebates: government incentives change often, so ask your installer which products and installers qualify.
- Roof life: fitting solar on a roof near end of life means paying twice, so inspect the tiles first.
- Warranty: check what the tile warranty covers for the roof, the cells and the labour.
Solar roof tiles pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Clean look with no panels sitting above the roof | Higher cost per watt than standard panels |
| Roof covering and solar in one install | One fault may require lifting the tiles around it |
| No bracket holes through the tiles | Limited local products and installers |
| Suits heritage or estate rules about visible panels | Lower output per m² on many products |
| Can be fitted during a re-roof | Repairs depend on the supplier staying in business |
How to choose solar roof tiles
- Decide if the roof needs replacing: solar roof tiles make most sense when the old tiles are due for replacement.
- Check the frame: tiles add weight, so a roofer or engineer should confirm the battens and rafters can carry them.
- Compare with panels: ask for a quote on both options so you see the real price gap.
- Ask for certification: request the product’s compliance documents and the installer’s accreditation.
- Check the orientation: north- and west-facing planes produce the most, and shade cuts output.
- Read the warranty: confirm who covers a failed tile, who pays for labour and how claims work.
Solar roof tiles installation essentials
- Inspect the roof for cracked tiles, failed pointing and rotted battens before anything is fixed.
- Plan the layout with the roofer and the electrician, including cable runs and the inverter location.
- Set up edge protection before the team goes on the roof, and keep children and pets away from the work area.
- Lay the tiles and flashings in the manufacturer’s sequence, with the specified overlaps and fixings.
- Wire the system through a licensed electrician or accredited solar installer, who tests and commissions it.
- Keep the paperwork: certificates, data sheets and warranty documents belong with your building records.
Concrete roof tiles, Monier tiles and Monier continental
- Monier tiles: Monier is a long-standing Australian tile brand, and its profiles include the Monier continental style; ask for current ranges.
- Monier Prime: a product name that appears in searches, so confirm the current range, colours and warranty with the supplier.
- Weight: concrete tiles are heavy, and older frames may need checking before a re-roof.
- Colour: glazed and through-colour tiles hold colour longer than painted ones.
- Roof tiles cement: ridge and hip tiles are often bedded in cement or fixed with flexible systems, which our concrete roof tiles guide explains.
- Repairs: cracked tiles can be replaced individually if the profile is still available.
Boral roof tiles and Bristile roof tiles colours
- Brand choice: Boral and Bristile both supply tiles across Australia, so compare profiles, colours and warranties; start with our Boral roof tiles guide.
- Bristile colours: colour ranges change, so ask for the current chart and a physical sample.
- Sun fade: sample tiles in direct sun, because colours look different on the roof.
- Trims: match the colours of gutters, fascia and flashings to the tile.
- Estate rules: some estates restrict tile colours, so check before you order.
- Lead time: popular profiles can sell out, so order early in the project.
Terracotta roof tiles colours
- Natural range: terracotta comes in classic reds, oranges, browns and charcoals, and the exact options depend on the supplier.
- Glazed vs natural: glazed tiles hold colour longer, while natural terracotta weathers with age.
- Heritage match: older homes may need tiles matched to the originals, which a roofer can help source.
- Weight: terracotta is heavy, so frame checks are part of every re-roof.
- Walls: choose a roof colour that suits your external walls; our Lexicon Quarter vs Half vs Full guide helps with white and trim shades.
- Cladding: pair tiles with the right wall finish, such as WPC composite cladding.
Decramastic roof tiles and tin roof tiles
- Decramastic roof: stone-coated steel tile panels, lighter than concrete or terracotta, found on many older Australian homes.
- Decramastic roof tiles restoration: coated steel panels can be cleaned and recoated if the steel is sound.
- Tin roof tiles: profiled steel sheets pressed to look like tiles, fixed in larger pieces than real tiles.
- Weight advantage: lighter roofs put less load on older frames and can be a practical re-roof option.
- Rust: check cut edges and fixings, especially near the coast, as damaged coating lets rust start.
- Insulation: steel roofs benefit from insulation, and our insulation types guide compares the options.
How to clean roof tiles without a pressure washer
- Check from the ground first with binoculars to see moss, lichen and broken tiles before anyone goes up.
- Use a roofer for the roof itself, since tiles crack under foot and wet tiles are slippery.
- Brush dry growth off with a soft broom or brush, working down the slope.
- Apply a roof wash exactly as the label says, wearing the protective gear it lists.
- Rinse with a low-pressure hose, from the ridge down, and keep runoff out of the stormwater where required.
- Clear the gutters afterwards, because dislodged moss can block downpipes.
Asbestos vinyl tiles, acoustic ceiling tile and soundproof ceiling tiles
- Asbestos vinyl tiles: older vinyl floor tiles and their adhesive can contain asbestos, so never sand, scrape or break them.
- Testing: a licensed assessor can test a sample, and a licensed remover must handle confirmed asbestos.
- Acoustic ceiling tile: an interior ceiling panel that absorbs sound, which is a different product from roof tiles.
- Soundproof ceiling tiles: they reduce echo more than they stop noise, and real soundproofing needs mass and sealed gaps.
- Roof noise: insulation and sarking under tiles cut rain noise more than ceiling tiles do.
- Interior finishes: for walls and ceilings inside, see internal wall cladding ideas.
If your project includes a clear patio section, see our polycarbonate roofing guide for the pitch and fixing rules.
Solar roof tiles FAQs
Are solar roof tiles worth it?
They can be if you are replacing the roof and want a clean look, but they cost more per watt than panels. Compare quotes for both options and check the warranty, certification and installer accreditation before you decide (indicative — get itemised quotes).
Can solar panels go on a tile roof?
Yes. Installers fix brackets through or between the tiles and seal and flash each one. The roof should be in good condition first, because lifting tiles later to fix a leak is slow and costs more. Book a licensed electrician for the wiring.
How do I clean roof tiles without a pressure washer?
Use a soft broom and a label-directed roof wash, then rinse with a low-pressure hose. Wet tiles are slippery and crack under foot, so book a roofer for the roof itself and keep your feet on the ground.
What is a decramastic roof?
It is a stone-coated steel tile roof, lighter than concrete or terracotta. Many older homes still have one. It can be cleaned and recoated if the steel is sound, but rust at cut edges or fixings usually means a roofer should inspect it.
Do vinyl floor tiles contain asbestos?
Some older vinyl floor tiles and the adhesive beneath them do. Do not sand, scrape or break them. Book a licensed assessor to test a sample, and a licensed remover if asbestos is confirmed.
Are tin roof tiles the same as Colorbond?
No. Tin roof tiles are steel sheets pressed to resemble tiles, while Colorbond is a coated steel brand sold in many profiles. Both are light and long-lasting, and the right choice depends on the look you want and the roof frame.
Getting solar roof tiles installed in Sydney
Solar roof tiles need a sound roof, correct flashings and a licensed electrician for the wiring. TQN Construct’s licensed roofers inspect your roof, advise whether tiles or panels suit it and handle the tile work. For the electrical side, book a licensed electrician or accredited solar installer. Book a free measure and quote.
