Solar panels, in-roof PV or solar tiles: which one actually suits your house?

Three ways to put solar on a roof: conventional on-roof panels, flush in-roof integrated PV, and full solar tiles. All three generate electricity. All three are MCS-certifiable. But the costs, the looks, and the ease of repair are genuinely very different, and picking badly costs you thousands.

For context: in our day-to-day work UK-wide, roughly 85% of what we install is conventional on-roof. Another 12% is in-roof integrated. The remainder is full solar tile — and almost always on new-builds or statement projects where the aesthetics are the whole point.

The three options at a glance

Conventional on-roof panels — the default for good reason

Rail-mounted panels hook over the rafters under the existing tile or slate — no penetration through the roof membrane. The panels sit about 80mm above the roof line. Easy to lift off for re-roofing or maintenance, easy to replace individually if one's ever damaged. 25-year panel performance warranty is industry standard. This is what we fit on roughly 85% of jobs, and what we'd fit on our own houses.

In-roof integrated PV — when the look matters

Panels sit in a frame that replaces a section of tile, flush with the surrounding roof. Noticeably tidier, particularly on a south-facing facade visible from the street. Costs 30–40% more than conventional because of the extra flashing and weatherproofing system. Output is 3–5% lower (panels run hotter without airflow underneath). Where we'd recommend it: the roof needs re-tiling anyway (combine the costs), the property is in a conservation area where an on-roof install would be refused planning, or the customer genuinely wants the cleaner look and has the budget for it.

Solar roof tiles — the statement option

Tesla Solar Roof and the handful of competing products replace every tile with a power-generating one (some active, some inactive depending on orientation and shading). Visually, they're unbeatable — your roof looks like high-end slate or terracotta. The cost is the issue: £28,000–£45,000+ for a 4kW-equivalent install versus about £7,000 for conventional. Output per pound is roughly a quarter of conventional. The warranty is 25 years across both tile and power generation. We see this product on new-builds and statement self-builds, rarely on retrofits where the existing roof still has life in it.

Edge case worth knowing: a carport or pergola

A growing number of UK homes are mounting solar PV on a freestanding carport or garden pergola, particularly where the house roof is north-facing or heavily shaded. Cost is similar to in-roof per kW, with the bonus of EV charging shelter included. Worth a look if your roof genuinely isn't suitable — we've done a handful of these across Essex and Suffolk in 2026 and the results have been excellent.

How to decide for your house

The honest path is a free survey with all three options modelled against real generation figures for your actual roof — we 3D-model from satellite imagery before the visit, so you see real numbers, not estimates. Pick on aesthetics and budget. For 90% of UK homes that means conventional on-roof. For the other 10%, the alternatives genuinely win on their own terms. Book online, or ring 0800 229 4094. Honest answer, on your kitchen table.