Russell Roof Tiles has formed a strategic partnership with solar specialists Solfit, focused on supporting the deployment of roof-integrated solar systems across UK housing developments as the industry prepares for the Future Homes Standard.
With solar PV expected to become standard across new-build housing under forthcoming energy efficiency regulations, the integration of solar systems within roofing design and construction processes is becoming increasingly important for housebuilders delivering at scale.
Solfit provides specification-led, roof-integrated solar solutions for the UK housing sector, supporting housebuilders in designing, integrating and governing compliant solar PV systems across residential developments.
Russell Roof Tiles designs and manufactures a growing range of innovative concrete roof tiles and associated roofing products at three sites in the UK, which are used on residential and commercial developments across the country. Focused on delivering high-quality, durable, and sustainable solutions. The company has an important role to play in supporting the UK's transition to Net Zero. As part of this commitment, Russell Roof Tiles is aiming to become a Net Zero company by 2040 – 10 years earlier than the Government targets.
The partnership brings together Russell Roof Tiles' expertise in roofing systems and Solfit's roof-integrated solar platform and managed delivery framework, supporting a more coordinated approach to integrating solar generation within residential developments.
Solfit has developed a fully integrated in-roof solar system designed specifically for the operational requirements of UK housebuilders. The system combines roof-integrated solar panels with panel-level microinverter technology, and an all-metal mounting architecture intended to improve integration, safety and long-term performance.
Unlike conventional solar systems that rely on high-voltage DC string architecture, the Solfit system uses AC microinverter technology that converts power at the panel level. This removes high-voltage DC cabling at roof level, reducing one of the primary electrical ignition risks associated with PV systems.
The system also removes plastic mounting trays commonly used in some in-roof solar installations, replacing them with a dual-glass and all-metal architecture designed to support improved fire performance, durability and long-term roof integrity.
High-output panels enable the required system capacity to be achieved with fewer modules, helping simplify roof layouts and reduce penetrations across developments.
Alongside the technology platform, Solfit provides a managed solar delivery framework covering specification support, contractor enablement, compliance governance, installation auditing and long-term warranty support. The approach is intended to help housebuilders deploy solar more consistently across multi-plot developments while maintaining alignment between design intent and on-site delivery.
The partnership between Russell Roof Tiles and Solfit is designed to strengthen integration between roofing systems and solar deployment, enabling solar to be treated as part of the roof system itself rather than as a separate technology installation.
Lee Chadwick, Managing Director at Solfit, said: "As solar becomes standard across new-build housing, the industry is moving beyond simply adding PV to developments and towards designing solar as an integrated part of the building fabric. Closer alignment between roofing systems and solar delivery is becoming increasingly important for safety, compliance and long-term performance.
"Our partnership with Russell Roof Tiles reflects that shift, bringing together roofing expertise and integrated solar delivery to help housebuilders deploy solar consistently and confidently across developments."
Daniel Hancox, Corporate Sustainability & Development Director at Russell Roof Tiles, added: "As solar becomes an increasingly standard feature of new-build housing, closer integration between roofing systems and solar technologies is becoming essential. Housebuilders need solutions that not only support energy generation targets, but also maintain roofing performance, build efficiency and long-term reliability.
"Our partnership with Solfit brings together roofing expertise and integrated solar delivery in a way that supports a more coordinated approach to solar deployment across residential developments."
The collaboration reflects a broader transition within the construction and renewable energy sectors as solar evolves from an optional technology upgrade into a core component of residential building design.
By aligning roofing and solar expertise earlier in the specification and delivery process, Russell Roof Tiles and Solfit aim to support housebuilders in meeting future regulatory requirements while maintaining build efficiency, roofing performance and long-term system reliability.
