Given Australia's climate, we are a country where embracing solar power is feasible and effective.

For homeowners, there are two key options available - the well-known solar panels and the lesser-known solar tiles. But while one is more ubiquotous, it doesn't mean the tile option is any less beneficial. In today's blog, we're going to provide an overview of the key differences between solar tiles and panels to help you decide which option could best suit you if you're currently considering an investment in solar.

Solar tiles

Compared to solar panels, solar tiles are a newer technology, but utilise a similar process of photovoltaics - a method that converts solar energy into direct current electricity. One of the key appeals of solar tiles is that they are designed to fit in with the overall aesthetic of your roof. So, unlike solar panels, which stand out from the rest of you roof, solar tiles allow you to utilise a comparable solar energy approach without it creating an obvious aesthetic deviation from the rest of your exterior.

What's the better option: tiles or panels?

There are a few factors that must be considered when it comes to the tiles vs panels debate for solar energy solutions. While the decision is ultimately down to you, the following are worth taking note of:

How they're implemented

Solar panels are still the most popular option among homeowners, but installation does typically entail cutting, grinding or drilling through your roof. Panels are installed on top of a roof (with a slight gap existing between the panels and the roof), regardless of its type - though checks are usually done beforehand to ensure the roof can handle the additional weight of the panels.

Solar tiles, depending on the type, may need to be fully implemented into the current roofing. In other words, either a notable portion or the entirety of your roof tiles may need to be replaced with solar tile variants. However, solar tiles are lighter overall and present a reduced aesthetic dissonance.

How effective they are

If you're investing in solar, then naturally you'll want to go with whichever option is most effective. For some time, solar panels dominated this area, but recent advancements in solar tile technology have led to a mostly even playing field. In the past, thin-film solar cells (which are often used in solar tiles) were barely hitting a 10% conversion efficiency, while solar panels were hitting 20% or higher.

In 2008, a breakthrough with copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cells was achieved by the US Deparmetn of Energy's National Renewable Lab. This breakthrough saw these CIGS solar cells hit conversion efficiencies of 19.9% - a number much closer to what is commonly achieved by solar panels.

The cost

A few years back, the balance of cost between solar panels and solar tiles was similar to the state of efficiency. Panels tended to be cheaper, while tiles had a reputation of being quite costly. And, again, similar to the efficiency of both options, this factor of cost started to shift with the introduction of CIGS solar tiles.

Nowadays, both options are far more affordable. The advancements in solar tiles means they now take less time to install and are more efficient. In fact, installing solar tiles can be faster than installing solar panels, but this all depends on the type of tiles you're going for and how much of you roof you want comprised of them. Either way, solar tiles and panels fall into a much more affordable price range these days.

SEE ALSO: Your Home and Solar Energy