Solar panels in roof (tiles) costs

If you would like to buy solar panels, but are afraid this will change the appearance of your home too much, you could consider solar panels in the roof. This option is better looking compared to standard solar panels, isn’t that much more expensive and you don’t need a heavy roof construction to support the solar panels. In addition, the solar panels in the roof will generate energy as well. Disadvantages of this option are that solar panels in the roof are more expensive than standard solar panels and that the efficiency is slightly lower. The reason for this is that the panels in the roof get hot because there isn’t enough ventilation. Heat causes a decrease in efficiency. Is your current roof in need of replacement? Then you definitely should consider this option.

The costs

The costs of installing solar panels in the roof are higher. This has mainly to do with the installation being more difficult. Roof tiles must be removed before the solar panels can be installed. This often takes 2 days, while standard solar panels can be installed within one day. As this option is more expensive, the return on investment will also be longer. But this doesn’t make much difference with standard solar panels, on average 2 years. The following table shows the costs and installation of solar panels in roof compared to standard solar panels. The price indication is for installing panels on 108 square foot of roof area.

You already have solar panels: if you already have solar panels, having solar panels in the roof installed can be considerably cheaper. The installation is already there, including the inverter, and all you need to do is install and connect the in-roof panels. This can save up to $1650 in the total price.

Your current roof needs to be replaced: is your current roof already in need of replacement? Then you can deduct the cost of installing solar panels in roof with the cost you would have paid for a new standard roof. In this case, the in-roof panels can be very cost-effective, as you start generating energy immediately after installation.

A completely new roof including insulation: if your roof is not insulated, and you are planning to replace the current tiles with in-roof solar panels, then you could consider having the roof insulated immediately. Of course there are extra costs involved, but the energy you generate will also be used more economically.

The price structure

The costs for solar panels in roof are higher than those of standard solar panels, because the installation takes more time. You can count on a percentage of 70 percent for materials and 30 percent for labor costs. Sometimes this can shift a bit according to the number of solar panels in-roof you choose. Because a large part of the costs consist of materials, it is best to look here for savings. So it certainly pays to search the market for the right price for the in-roof panels. In the following diagram, this relationship between materials and labor costs is shown.

Choices that influence the price

As with all large jobs, here too you will be faced with a number of choices regarding your new in-roof solar panels. There are also factors on which you have no influence that do influence the price. Here you will find the biggest contributors.

The in-roof technique

There are two ways in which you can have your in-roof panels installed. There is the architectural integration that uses standard solar panels and visually integrates them into the roof. This option is cheaper, but aesthetically less pleasing. Full integration is done by having the roof covering completely replaced by in-roof solar panels. The product here is the roofing material and this group is called Building Integrated Photo Voltaic Systems (BIPV systems).

The condition of your current roofing material

If your roof is in need of replacement, you can have in-roof solar panels installed while you were already planning to replace your roofing material. However, if your roof is still in good condition, this option will require the removal of good tiles. If you can sell them on a second-hand marketplace, you can recoup some of the money.

The surface to be covered

The larger the roof surface that you have covered with in-roof solar panels, the more expensive it gets. This is self-evident. But there is an advantage to having your roof completely covered with in-roof solar panels. The panels can be laid overlapping so that the roof is guaranteed to be watertight. If you opt for a smaller surface area, there is a risk of leakage because the in-roof panels do not fully connect with the tiles.

Interesting savings tips

Buying solar panels will save you money. However, the investment is large and amounts to thousands of euros. Here are a few tips to help you keep these costs under control.

Do it yourself: if you are an experienced handyman, you can do part of the job yourself. Think of removing the current roof tiles, allowing the solar panels to be installed directly in the roof. This saves on labor costs.

Compare quotations

The first step in the planning for new in-roof solar panels is to request quotations. You can do this quickly and easily with our comparison tool. You will receive a number of non-binding quotations from companies in your region. You can then combine and compare these with your own research before you proceed with the purchase. This way you can be sure that you have looked at all the options.