Last updated: 5 October 2026. The two crystalline formats below use supplier-provided technical reference figures; marked calculations show their arithmetic. Confirm the selected model and its project documents before specification.
A BIPV tile entry in a tender has to carry enough data for three people: the architect checking the roof build-up, the electrical engineer sizing strings, and the buyer comparing quotes. This guide separates supplier reference figures from the project information a buyer should request, then shows how to write a specification line.
Quick answer: BIPV roof tiles are roof tiles with photovoltaic cells laminated into them, so each unit keeps rain out and generates electricity. The crystalline tiles we supply come in two formats, 650 × 432 × 22 mm at 43 W and 1208 × 432 × 22 mm at 85 W, both with 3.2 mm + 3.2 mm double glass and an IP67 junction box. A usable spec line states size, rated power, Voc and Isc, IP rating, glass build, colour and the fire test standard.
What are BIPV roof tiles, and how are they different from BAPV panels?
BIPV roof tiles are photovoltaic units that replace conventional roof tiles and form part of the roof covering itself. Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) means PV built into a building element that would otherwise be made of a separate material, the scope used by the IEA PVPS Task 15 programme on BIPV.
The difference between BIPV and BAPV is where the waterproofing sits: a BIPV tile is the roof covering, while a BAPV (building-applied photovoltaic) panel is mounted on rails above a roof covering that stays in place underneath.
Most of the specification follows from that distinction. A BIPV tile has to work as a roofing product for water, wind and fire, and as a PV module for electrical safety. A BAPV array also needs appropriate mounting, structural and electrical checks, while the roof below it remains the weather layer.
BIPV roof tile: an individual PV unit sized to lap or interlock with neighbouring tiles on battens. It replaces clay, concrete or slate-look tiles unit for unit.
BAPV panel: a standard framed PV module clamped to rails on hooks or brackets above a finished roof. It adds a layer to the roof instead of replacing one.
Solar shingle: a flat strip BIPV unit laid in overlapping courses over a roof deck. It is the usual North American format.
In-roof module: a larger PV module set into the roof plane inside a flashing tray. The tray, not the module, forms the watertight edge around the array.
Specifiers also meet the names PV tile, solar tile and photovoltaic roof tile for the same product. This guide uses BIPV roof tile throughout and means the crystalline laminated tile described in the tables below.
BIPV roof tiles quick facts
BIPV roof tiles in the range we supply come in two crystalline formats that share one construction and differ in length, power and weight. The quick facts below are the numbers most tender lines need, taken from supplier reference material; the electrical ratings are stated at standard test conditions (STC).
| Item | 43 W tile | 85 W tile |
|---|---|---|
| Size (L × W × T) | 650 × 432 × 22 mm | 1208 × 432 × 22 mm |
| Rated power (Pmax) | 43 W | 85 W |
| Open-circuit voltage (Voc) | 8.2 V | 16.4 V |
| Short-circuit current (Isc) | 6.32 A | 6.32 A |
| Weight per tile | 5.5 kg | 10 kg |
| Maximum system voltage | 1000 V DC | 1000 V DC |
| Glass | 3.2 mm + 3.2 mm double glass | |
| Junction box and connector | IP67 junction box, MC4 connectors on 45 cm leads | |
The two formats share a stated 432 mm width and 22 mm thickness, but dimensions alone do not establish a common batten gauge or mixed-layout compatibility. The reference voltages are 16.4 V and 8.2 V with the same stated Isc of 6.32 A; confirm the cell arrangement, installation drawing and electrical layout rather than inferring them from those values.
BIPV roof tile datasheet: reference specifications and project checks
The table below groups supplier reference figures and information to request into mechanical, electrical, temperature, safety and commercial rows. Electrical values are at STC, which is 1000 W/m² irradiance and 25 °C cell temperature, and calculated rows are labelled.
| Parameter | 43 W tile | 85 W tile |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Dimensions (L × W × T) | 650 × 432 × 22 mm | 1208 × 432 × 22 mm |
| Weight per tile | 5.5 kg | 10 kg |
| Gross area (calculated from supplier reference values) | 0.650 × 0.432 = 0.281 m² | 1.208 × 0.432 = 0.522 m² |
| Weight per gross m² (calculated) | 5.5 ÷ 0.281 = 19.6 kg/m² | 10 ÷ 0.522 = 19.2 kg/m² |
| Exposed (visible) area per tile when laid | Request and confirm for the selected model | |
| Glass build | 3.2 mm + 3.2 mm double glass | |
| Encapsulant | PVB, POE or EVA, set per order | |
| Wind, snow and mechanical load rating | Request and confirm for the selected model | |
| Hail test result | Request and confirm for the selected model | |
| Packing | Supplier-stated wooden crate; request tiles per crate | |
| Electrical (STC) | ||
| Rated power (Pmax) | 43 W | 85 W |
| Power tolerance | Request and confirm for the selected model | |
| Open-circuit voltage (Voc) | 8.2 V | 16.4 V |
| Short-circuit current (Isc) | 6.32 A | 6.32 A |
| Voltage at max power (Vmp) | 7.0 V | 14.0 V |
| Current at max power (Imp) | 6.08 A | 6.08 A |
| Power per gross m² (calculated) | 43 ÷ 0.281 = 153 W/m² | 85 ÷ 0.522 = 163 W/m² |
| Maximum system voltage | 1000 V DC | |
| Maximum series fuse rating | 15 A | |
| Cell type | 182 mm monocrystalline | |
| Junction box | IP67 | |
| Connector and leads | MC4, 45 cm leads | |
| Temperature | ||
| NOCT | 45 °C | |
| Temperature coefficient of Pmax | -0.38 %/°C | |
| Temperature coefficient of Voc | -0.36 %/°C | |
| Temperature coefficient of Isc | +0.07 %/°C | |
| Safety and durability | ||
| Qualification testing | Supplier references IEC 61215:2021 and IEC 61730:2016; request model-specific reports | |
| Fire classification (supplier statement) | Supplier-stated Class A; verify the tested model, roof assembly and locally required classification against the full report before specification. | |
| Annual power degradation | ≤0.5 % per year (supplier stated) | |
| Environmental tests | Dust, salt mist and ammonia (supplier stated; ask for the reports) | |
| Waterproofing design | Overlap design for low-pitch roofs (supplier stated); request the approved minimum pitch and installation drawing | |
| Customisation and commercial | ||
| Customisable | Size, thickness, colour, encapsulant | |
| Colours seen in installation examples | Terracotta, grey, black | |
| Product and power warranty | Request written project terms | |
| MOQ | Request confirmation in the project quote | |
| Lead time | Request confirmation in the project quote | |
| Price | Quoted per project | |
The supplier references IEC 61215:2021 / IEC 61730:2016; confirm the full reports for the selected model before claiming qualification. The standards themselves are published as IEC 61215-1:2021 and IEC 61730-1:2016.
The supplier also states a power density of about 170 W/m², which is higher than the 153 W/m² and 163 W/m² calculated on the gross tile outline. Ask which area the 170 W/m² figure is measured on before you put either number into a design statement.
Degradation of 0.5 % per year or less is a supplier statement, not a warranty term. Confirm its measurement basis before using it in yield modelling, and obtain the separate written warranty terms.
How to write a BIPV roof tile specification line
A BIPV roof tile specification line is a single tender entry that fixes size, electrical data, protection rating, fire test reference, glass build and colour, so that two quotes can be compared on the same basis. Write each item as a value with a unit, not as a descriptive word such as "high efficiency".
- Dimension. State length × width × thickness in mm, for example 1208 × 432 × 22 mm, and add the exposed area per tile from the installation drawing, because that sets tiles per m² of roof.
- Rated power and tolerance. Give Pmax at STC, for example 85 W, and the power tolerance you will accept; request the model-specific tolerance and agree the acceptance criterion in writing.
- Voc, Isc, Vmp and Imp. List 16.4 V, 6.32 A, 14.0 V and 6.08 A for the 85 W tile, with the three temperature coefficients, because the electrical engineer needs all of them to size strings.
- System voltage and fuse. Write a 1000 V DC maximum system voltage and a 15 A maximum series fuse rating, so the inverter and combiner can be checked against both.
- IP rating and connectors. Specify an IP67 junction box and MC4 connectors, and state the supplier-referenced 45 cm lead length and verify cable routing and connection reach on the installation drawing.
- Fire test standard reference. Name the fire test your jurisdiction requires for roof coverings and ask for the report showing the classification achieved; the supplier states Class A, but the tested model, roof assembly and locally required classification must be checked against the full report before specification.
- Glass build and encapsulant. Specify 3.2 mm + 3.2 mm double glass and the encapsulant (PVB, POE or EVA), and obtain the relevant impact-test result for the actual construction.
- Colour. Reference a physical colour sample or a colour code rather than a word like terracotta, and keep the approved sample for acceptance checks at delivery.
Example spec line (85 W format): BIPV crystalline solar roof tile, 1208 × 432 × 22 mm, 10 kg, 85 W at STC with power tolerance to be agreed, Voc 16.4 V, Isc 6.32 A, Vmp 14.0 V, Imp 6.08 A, maximum system voltage 1000 V DC, maximum series fuse 15 A, 3.2 mm + 3.2 mm double glass, 182 mm monocrystalline cells, IP67 junction box, MC4 connectors on 45 cm leads, colour to approved sample, IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 test reports and fire classification report submitted with the tender.
The same line works for the short format by swapping in 650 × 432 × 22 mm, 5.5 kg, 43 W, Voc 8.2 V and Vmp 7.0 V. Isc and Imp stay at 6.32 A and 6.08 A.
Keep price, lead time and warranty out of the technical line and put them in the commercial schedule. Mixing the two makes technical compliance harder to mark when bids come back.
For a performance specification, set acceptance criteria appropriate to each parameter rather than turning every value into a minimum. Rated power, voltage limits, weather protection and roof dimensions require different checks; an electrical designer should verify each proposed model against the selected inverter and site conditions.
String design for BIPV roof tiles: a worked example
String design for BIPV roof tiles starts from the cold-weather open-circuit voltage, because Voc rises as cells get colder and the string must stay under the 1000 V DC maximum system voltage on the coldest morning. The method is the same one used for any PV array, as summarised in the U.S. Department of Energy's PV system design basics; only the voltage per unit is smaller.
Formula: Voc(cold) = Voc(STC) × [1 + (Tmin - 25) × (-0.36 %/°C)]
Then: voltage-only ceiling = min(tile system-voltage limit, inverter DC limit, other applicable DC limits) ÷ Voc(cold), rounded down
Assumption for this example: the lowest cell temperature at the site is -10 °C. Use the project design minimum temperature and the selected model data before fixing string length; the following 1000 V calculation illustrates only the stated tile voltage limit.
- Temperature difference. -10 °C minus 25 °C gives -35 °C.
- Voltage correction factor. 1 + (-35 × -0.0036) = 1.126.
- Cold Voc of one 85 W tile. 16.4 V × 1.126 = 18.47 V.
- Maximum tiles per string. 1000 V ÷ 18.47 V = 54.1, rounded down to 54 tiles.
- String power at STC. 54 × 85 W = 4,590 W (calculated from supplier reference values).
The 43 W tile roughly doubles the count by the same method. Its cold Voc is 8.2 V × 1.126 = 9.23 V, and 1000 V ÷ 9.23 V = 108.3, so the limit is 108 tiles per string for 108 × 43 W = 4,644 W (calculated from supplier reference values).
If the inverter DC input limit is below 1000 V, use that lower voltage as the numerator and divide it by the design cold Voc per tile, then round down. This is a voltage-only ceiling; the actual configuration must also meet the inverter's operating and MPPT voltage ranges, current limits and applicable design requirements.
As arithmetic only, two strings of 30 of the 85 W tiles give 60 × 85 W = 5,100 W, with a cold string Voc of 30 × 18.47 V = 554 V and an STC string Vmp of 30 × 14.0 V = 420 V (calculated from supplier reference values).
The hot end matters for the inverter's MPPT window. At an assumed 65 °C cell temperature, Pmax falls by (65 - 25) × 0.38 % = 15.2 %, giving an illustrative 85 × 0.848 = 72.1 W at unchanged STC irradiance; this does not determine hot string Vmp or installed yield.
Isc moves the other way as the tile heats up. At the same assumed 65 °C, Isc rises by 40 × 0.07 % = 2.8 %, from 6.32 A to about 6.50 A (calculated from supplier reference values).
The reference material does not give a Vmp temperature coefficient. Request the selected model's hot-voltage data or curves so the electrical designer can check hot-day string Vmp against the inverter MPPT window.
Current is simpler, because every tile in a series string carries the same current. Where strings run in parallel, check total input current, reverse-current protection and the stated 15 A maximum series fuse rating with the inverter and protection-device requirements.
Each tile carries its own junction box and two 45 cm MC4 leads. A 60-tile roof therefore has 60 junction boxes and 120 connector ends to make up under the tiles (60 × 1 and 60 × 2, calculated), so cable routing belongs on the batten drawing, not on site.
How much do BIPV roof tiles weigh per square metre?
BIPV roof tiles in the range we supply weigh 19.2 to 19.6 kg per square metre of gross tile outline, calculated from supplier reference values. That figure is the starting point for the dead-load check on battens and rafters.
- 43 W tile: 5.5 kg ÷ (0.650 m × 0.432 m) = 5.5 ÷ 0.281 = 19.6 kg/m².
- 85 W tile: 10 kg ÷ (1.208 m × 0.432 m) = 10 ÷ 0.522 = 19.2 kg/m².
Weight per m² of finished roof is higher than the gross figure, because overlapping tiles stack material in the lap zone. Divide the tile weight by the exposed area per tile from the installation drawing; request the model-specific exposed area and layout drawing before calculating installed roof coverage.
The 5 kW example with 60 of the 85 W tiles adds up to 60 × 10 kg = 600 kg of tiles and a summed gross outline of 60 × 0.522 m² = 31.3 m²; the installed roof coverage must be calculated from the exposed area and actual layout (calculated from supplier reference values).
For a re-roof, compare the removed covering and replacement roof on the same installed-area basis. The structural designer still needs the full replacement dead load, battens and other components, plus applicable wind and snow loads; the weight difference alone is not a structural check.
Request wind uplift, snow and mechanical-load evidence for the selected model and fixing assembly before finalising details for coastal or high-snow sites. A tile test value alone does not establish the capacity of the complete roof.
BIPV roof tiles vs BAPV panels: which properties differ?
BIPV roof tiles and BAPV panels differ in six properties a specifier controls: the waterproofing layer, the fixing method, the roof covering needed underneath, connections per kilowatt, appearance and single-unit replacement. The table compares those properties of the two formats; it does not compare companies.
| Property | BIPV roof tile | BAPV panel |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproofing layer | The tile itself, lapped with its neighbours | The existing roof covering under the rails |
| Fixing | To battens, in the tile plane | Hooks or brackets through the covering, then rails and clamps |
| Roof covering needed underneath | No tile layer; underlay and battens as for a tiled roof | A complete, sound roof covering |
| Unit size and power | 0.281 m² at 43 W or 0.522 m² at 85 W (gross) | From the module datasheet |
| Units per kW (calculated) | 1000 ÷ 85 = 11.8, so 12 tiles and 12 junction boxes | 1000 ÷ module watts, from the module datasheet |
| Appearance | Sits in the tile plane; colour can be matched | Sits above the roof on rails |
| Single-unit replacement | Confirm the single-tile removal procedure and access to neighbouring fixings | Unclamp one module and replace it |
| Typical fit | New builds and re-roofs on pitched tiled roofs | Existing sound roofs, pitched or flat |
For an existing roof in good condition, BAPV is usually the simpler path, because the roof stays and the panels sit on solar panel mounting brackets and rails. The rail side is covered in our guide to solar panel racking systems.
Flat roofs are outside the scope of BIPV tiles, because tile laps shed water only on a pitch. Those roofs have their own options in the flat roof solar mounting guide.
BIPV tiles make the most sense when the roof covering is being bought anyway. On a new build or a full re-roof, the tile replaces material that would otherwise be purchased, and the planning case often rests on the roof keeping its tiled look.
What to request from a BIPV roof tile supplier before you specify
A BIPV roof tile supplier should be able to hand over test reports, per-tile electrical data, EL images, an installation drawing and a paid sample before a tile goes into a specification. Asking for all of them at the enquiry stage shows gaps while changing format is still cheap.
- IEC test reports. Ask for the full test reports rather than certificates alone, and check that the tested model and dimensions match the tile in your spec line.
- Fire classification report. Ask for the report for the fire test your jurisdiction names, showing the classification achieved and the roof build-up it was tested on.
- EL images. Electroluminescence images of production tiles show cracked or inactive cells that a visual check misses; ask for them per production batch.
- Flash test data. Per-tile Pmax, Voc and Isc from the production flash test let you check delivered tiles against the rated 43 W or 85 W and the agreed tolerance.
- Installation drawing. The drawing gives exposed area, batten gauge, lap and minimum pitch, which set tiles per m², roof weight and the waterproofing limit.
- Paid sample. A sample tile lets the architect check colour and finish and the roofer check fixing; confirm sample availability, cost and delivery.
- Commercial schedule. Request MOQ, lead time, price and warranty terms in the written quote before ordering.
The supplier describes size, thickness, colour and encapsulant options; confirm which are available for the selected model and whether a change requires updated ratings or reports. For non-standard dimensions or colour-matched PV outside the roof tile format, see our custom solar panel options.
BIPV roof tiles FAQ
BIPV roof tiles raise six recurring questions at tender stage, answered below with supplier reference figures and project checks.
What does BIPV stand for?
BIPV stands for building-integrated photovoltaics, meaning photovoltaic products that form part of the building envelope, such as roof tiles, facade panels or glazing. A BIPV roof tile is one such product.
What is the difference between BIPV and BAPV?
The difference between BIPV and BAPV is that a BIPV product replaces a building material, while a BAPV product is attached on top of an existing one. BIPV roof tiles are the roof covering; BAPV panels sit on rails above it.
Is BIPV expensive?
Compare complete installed quotes for the BIPV roof and the alternative roof plus rack-mounted PV, including the same roofing, electrical and installation scope. Price per watt alone leaves out the roof covering that a BIPV tile replaces.
Are PV slates any good?
PV slates and PV tiles are good when they hold up on the same numbers as any PV product: power per m², temperature coefficients, test reports and a real sample. For the crystalline tiles we supply, those numbers are 153 W/m² and 163 W/m² on the gross outline (calculated) and a Pmax coefficient of -0.38 %/°C.
How many BIPV roof tiles fit in one string?
For a voltage-only ceiling, divide the lower applicable DC voltage limit by the design cold Voc per tile and round down. Using only the stated 1000 V tile limit at an assumed -10 °C minimum gives 54 of the 85 W tiles or 108 of the 43 W tiles (calculated from supplier reference values); operating voltage, current and site requirements can reduce the usable count.
Can BIPV roof tiles go on a flat roof?
BIPV roof tiles are made for pitched roofs, because their waterproofing relies on water running over the laps. Flat roofs are normally served by BAPV panels on ballasted or fixed frames.
Next step: send your BIPV roof tile spec line for a quote
A BIPV roof tile quote is easiest to compare when it starts from the filled-in specification line, the roof area and the project location. Request a quote through our contact form, and list the commercial terms, installation information and model-specific reports you need confirmed.