As the UK accelerates towards net zero, housing associations and local authorities face growing pressure to decarbonise housing stock while maintaining tight capital budgets.
With schemes such as ECO4 and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), there is now significant government-backed funding available to support these upgrades, particularly when improvements deliver measurable energy efficiency gains.
A Dual-Purpose Solution for Roof Renewal and Energy Generation
Solar Capture Technologies’ Composite Solar Roof Tile provides housing providers with a simple, efficient way to combine essential re-roofing work with renewable energy generation.
Unlike traditional bolt-on solar panels, each tile performs a dual function, acting as a durable, weatherproof roof covering and generating clean electricity. This enables the entire roof surface to contribute to energy production, maximising yield while maintaining a sleek, integrated aesthetic.
The system is fully MCS-certified, G98/G99 compliant, and tested to UL 790 Class A and BROOF (t4) standards for fire safety. It has also undergone enhanced wind uplift and water ingress testing, achieving performance suitable for hurricane-grade conditions.
In short, it’s not just a solar product, it’s a complete roofing system, designed and manufactured in the UK for long-term resilience.
Alignment with ECO4 and SHDF Retrofit Funding
Under ECO4, energy suppliers fund whole-house energy efficiency improvements, typically combining insulation, heating, and renewable measures.
Solar PV can form part of an ECO4 package when installed alongside a qualifying heating measure, helping homes achieve the necessary SAP uplift to justify funding.
For housing associations and local authorities, this means that solar tiles can be included in funded retrofit projects, provided installation is delivered by an ECO-accredited partner. Because the product is MCS-approved and delivers equivalent, often superior performance to standard panels, it qualifies within existing funding frameworks, with the additional benefit of replacing the roof covering at the same time.
In practice, this allows re-roofing and decarbonisation to be combined under one programme, with ECO4 or SHDF funds contributing to the renewable upgrade while existing roofing budgets cover the rest — reducing or eliminating direct capital cost to the housing provider.
Ideal for Both Retrofit and New-Build Applications
For retrofit projects, the SCT tile provides a route to decarbonise older housing stock while addressing long-term maintenance. When installed alongside fabric and heating upgrades, it supports EPC improvements, reduces resident energy bills, and enhances asset value.
For new-build developments, the system offers an integrated renewable solution that simplifies Part L compliance and future-proofs homes against tightening carbon standards all while providing a visually seamless, fully certified roof system.
Example Use Case: Retrofit Integration under ECO4
A typical 1970s semi-detached property undergoing roof renewal and a low-carbon heating upgrade can achieve approximately 4 kWp of roof-integrated generation using Solar Capture’s tiles.
Because the system covers a greater usable roof area than conventional panels, total generation can match or exceed that of a standard on-roof 4 kWp system while avoiding aesthetic and planning challenges.
When delivered through an ECO4-accredited installer, the funding contribution toward the renewable element can offset much of the installation cost, allowing the housing provider to replace both the roof and energy system within existing budgets.
Why Housing Providers Are Moving Toward Integrated Solutions
- Dual benefit – one product acts as both roof and renewable energy system.
- Aesthetics and planning – low-profile, architecturally integrated design.
- Performance – comparable yield to standard PV with greater roof coverage.
- Durability – tested to the highest fire, weather, and wind standards.
- Funding compatibility – fully compliant with ECO4, SHDF, and related frameworks.
Supporting the UK’s Housing Decarbonisation Goals
With billions committed to decarbonising the UK’s housing stock through ECO4, SHDF, and successor schemes, housing providers must make investment decisions that deliver long-term value and measurable impact.
Solar Capture Technologies’ Composite Solar Roof Tile provides a proven route to achieve this — combining roof renewal, renewable generation, and funding eligibility within a single, UK-manufactured system.
👉 Learn more about the SCT Composite Solar Roof Tile or contact us at enquiries@solarcapturetechnologies.com.