Oct. 24, 2025
In the "dual carbon" era, solar energy has become a core force in the global energy transition. Compared to traditional photovoltaic panels, solar roof tiles, with their integrated advantages of aesthetics, waterproofing, and energy efficiency, are gradually replacing the old "PV panel + roof" model.
In sunny regions such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia, installing solar roof tiles can not only significantly reduce electricity costs but also enhance building value and energy independence.
This article systematically explains the entire solar roof tile installation process, from initial planning to ongoing maintenance, providing a practical construction and investment reference guide for homes, villas, commercial buildings, and more.
Compared to traditional photovoltaic panels, the most significant feature of solar roof tiles is "building integration."
They integrate solar power generation modules directly into the roofing material, appearing virtually identical to ordinary roof tiles while maintaining full power generation and protection.
Key advantages include:
Aesthetically pleasing and architecturally integrated: Eliminates obtrusiveness and enhances the overall design.
Structural integration: Replaces traditional tiles, reducing installation layers.
Waterproof and weather-resistant: Suitable for the high temperatures of the Middle East and the humid climates of Southeast Asia.
High power generation efficiency: Leverages high radiation environments for optimal returns.
Long-term investment value: System lifespans of over 25 years, saving long-term electricity costs.
A thorough preliminary evaluation is crucial before installing solar roof tiles.
Orientation and Tilt: The ideal orientation is south (in the Northern Hemisphere) or north (in the Southern Hemisphere). The tilt angle should be adjusted according to the local latitude, typically ranging from 10–30°. Low tilt angles are commonly used in the Middle East to combat wind and sand, while drainage is important in Southeast Asia. Roofing Materials: Concrete and metal roofs are the most common. It's important to confirm whether the structural strength can support a BIPV system (generally weighing 15–20 kg per square meter).
Shading and Ventilation: Avoid shadows from trees or tall buildings as much as possible, while ensuring sufficient space for heat dissipation on the roof to prevent high temperatures from affecting efficiency.
The ultimate goal of installing solar roof tiles is to meet daily energy needs. Therefore, when designing a solution, an energy demand analysis must be conducted:
Electricity Usage Assessment
Review your electricity bills for the past 12 months and calculate your average monthly and annual electricity consumption.
Estimate future demand, such as adding electric vehicle charging stations, air conditioners, or smart home devices.
System Sizing
Residential Users: Common installation capacities range from 5kW to 15kW, which can meet the electricity needs of most households.
Commercial Users: Depending on the size and function of the building, the capacity can range from tens to hundreds of kilowatts.
Grid-Connected or Off-Grid Selection
Grid-connected systems: Suitable for urban users, they connect directly to the grid, with excess power fed back to the grid. Off-grid systems: Suitable for remote areas or detached villas, requiring battery storage.
Hybrid systems: Combined grid connection and energy storage capabilities, offering greater energy independence.
The approval process for power companies varies by country, typically requiring submission of system design drawings, electrical single-line diagrams, and protection certification.
Tile type
The mainstream options are crystalline silicon tiles (high efficiency) and thin-film tiles (flexible and lightweight).
System capacity design
Calculated based on average daily electricity consumption and local insolation conditions. Average insolation in the Middle East can reach 5.5–6.5 kWh/m², while in Southeast Asia it is approximately 4.5–5.5 kWh/m².
Aesthetics
In BIPV systems, exterior color, tile layout, and edge finish are crucial to ensure harmony with the building's exterior.
Incentives: Some regions (such as the UAE and Malaysia) offer PV subsidies or net metering policies, which can significantly increase investment returns.
The table below compares the policy environment and approval process of three representative markets: the UAE, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Project Elements | United Arab Emirates | Malaysia | Indonesia |
Regulatory agencies | Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) / Abu Dhabi Energy Department | Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) / Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) | Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) / PLN (state-owned electricity company) |
Main policy mechanisms | The "Shams Dubai" net metering policy allows users to connect to the grid for self-use and use the surplus electricity to offset the electricity bill. | Net Energy Metering (NEM) 3.0, which encourages the grid connection of residential and commercial rooftop photovoltaics | Regulation No. 26/2021 supports self-generation and self-consumption plus online delivery, using a net billing mechanism. |
Grid connection approval process | Design review → DEWA grid connection application → Installation → Acceptance and meter replacement | Submit application to SEDA → Technical evaluation → Sign agreement → Installation and grid connection | Submit design documents to PLN → Technical verification → Sign grid connection agreement → Meter installation and commissioning |
Capacity Limitation | Small systems ≤ 2MW can be quickly approved; larger systems require additional grid connection assessment | Residential ≤ 10kW, Commercial ≤ 1MW (NEM Rakyat & NEM Nova projects) | Roof system capacity ≤ 100% of building contract capacity |
Subsidies and electricity pricing mechanisms | Surplus electricity is deducted at the same price as the retail electricity price (Net Metering) | Surplus electricity is deducted from electricity consumption at a ratio of 1:1 | The surplus electricity is converted into electricity bill deduction, the ratio is about 65%-80% |
Licensing cycle | Typically 2–4 weeks (with more complete processes) | About 4–6 weeks (depending on capacity and grid connection) | About 6–8 weeks (with more approval steps) |
Certification requirements | IEC / DEWA designated standard certification | SEDA / TNB designated product list certification | Must comply with national standards SNI and international IEC certification |
Typical application scenarios | Commercial buildings, villa roofs, industrial plants | Rooftops of residential and office buildings, shopping malls, and schools | Government office buildings, industrial parks and residential areas |
Grid connection policies in the Middle East are relatively open, and approval processes are streamlined. However, licensing procedures in Southeast Asian countries place greater emphasis on local registration and technical certification compliance. During the project planning phase, it's important to verify the list of materials required by the local power company, such as:
System design drawings and electrical single-line diagrams;
Product certification reports (IEC, UL, or local SIRIM, etc.);
Roof title and structural safety declarations;
Fire and waterproofing inspection reports, etc.
Gain Solar provides full-process compliance support for these projects: from concept design and system selection to submission of approval document templates, helping partners quickly complete grid connection and certification, ensuring that the system complies with local technical and safety standards, shortening approval cycles and mitigating risks.
Safety is paramount. The construction team must be equipped with fall protection equipment, non-slip shoes, and insulated tools.
Inspect the roof structure and reinforce the supporting layer if necessary.
Clean the roof from debris and dust, keeping it clean and flat.
For concrete roofs, aluminum alloy rails and stainless steel fixings are often used. The brackets must be strictly level, and the spacing must comply with design specifications.
The waterproof layer should be treated with a polymer waterproof membrane or sealant to ensure long-term waterproofing.
Install the tiles row by row from bottom to top, ensuring tight overlap.
The electrical connections of each tile must meet IP67 or higher protection levels to prevent rainwater intrusion.
Maintaining consistent module spacing during installation affects both drainage and overall aesthetics.
Use UV-resistant DC cables and waterproof connectors.
Before connecting the inverter, measure the open-circuit voltage and insulation resistance.
During the commissioning phase, check current consistency, inverter communication, and data upload to the monitoring platform.
Common Problems:
Loose wiring terminals → prone to arcing;
Poor ridge edge sealing → potential leakage during the rainy season;
Overheating at the inverter installation location → reduced lifespan.
Electrical Safety: All connections must be secure and free of loose connections, and cables must be neatly routed.
Waterproofing Test: Check for leaks at the interfaces during simulated rainfall.
Power Generation Test: Monitor the inverter output power during daytime operation for stability.
Appearance Inspection: Ensure the tile surface is flat, uniform in color, and free of obvious scratches or cracks.
Clean the tile surface every 3–6 months (avoid high temperatures).
Check the waterproofing joints and edge seals.
View power generation and fault alarms in real time through the monitoring system.
If power generation drops abnormally, immediately check the wiring and shading.
As a manufacturer specializing in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), Gain Solar provides complete solar roof tile systems for the Middle East and Southeast Asia:
High-efficiency crystalline silicon BIPV tiles, with power generation efficiency up to 22%;
Patented waterproof snap-on structure, ensuring IP68 roof protection;
Compatible with various roofing surfaces (concrete, metal, ceramic tiles, etc.);
Local design aesthetics, showcasing unique ethnic charm;
Equipped with an intelligent monitoring system for real-time energy efficiency tracking.
Want to learn more about the BIPV solution that's right for your building?
Visit https://www.gainsolarbipv.com/
