Seamless solar rooftop integration, that's Volt!

About

Volt is a Melbourne-based solar tile developer and manufacturer that specialises in providing solar solutions that seamlessly integrate with rooftops, providing an aesthetically appealing alternative to conventional solar panels. 

Volt offers two solar tile models: Planum, compatible with terracotta roof tiles, and Lodge, suitable for concrete roof tiles. Both feature an all-black, busbar-free design that blends effortlessly into the roofing system, achieving a ‘solar-you-can’t-see’ appearance. With efficiencies of 19.5% for Lodge and 18.8% for Planum, Volt is the world’s most powerful solar tile at the lowest cost per watt.

Volt’s CEO, Peter Leeson, brings a wealth of experience in the renewables sector, uniquely positioning him to lead Volt in its climate solutions. Peter has been running his own solar installation company since 2008, gaining significant insights into industry challenges and opportunities. He envisions a future where new homes in 20 years will not have conventional solar panels on rooftops but integrated solar roofs to reduce carbon footprints while improving home aesthetics.

Peter's experience extends beyond residential and commercial solar installations. He has been involved in numerous renewable energy projects, including Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) installations across Australia and Asia, and the development of multiple solar farms across Australia. To date, Peter has contributed to a development pipeline amounting to 1GW and the construction of over 150MW of solar farms.

Why Melbourne

Melbourne is strategically ideal for launching and scaling our business due to several compelling reasons that align with our vision and operational needs.

Firstly, there is a significant disparity between the demand for solar solutions in Australia and the availability of locally manufactured products. Despite the vast growth of solar adoption on residential rooftops, only 1% of solar modules are produced domestically. Our goal is to bridge this gap by developing an Australian solar product and eventually establishing local manufacturing capabilities. This approach supports local innovation and ensures our products are finely tuned to meet the unique requirements and environmental conditions of the Australian market. Furthermore, government incentives aimed at boosting renewable energy manufacturing enhance the viability of local production.

Melbourne offers an excellent environment for our business’s growth. The city's skilled, multicultural talent pool provides an ideal foundation for our expansion. Our diverse workplace benefits from this dynamic environment, bringing together individuals from various cultures and nationalities, ultimately offering a range of perspectives that enable us to compete effectively on the global stage.

Additionally, Melbourne’s established ports, transportation and logistics infrastructure is perfectly suited to our needs. The city's well-connected networks ensure the efficient delivery of our solar tiles, facilitating a smooth distribution process across Australia.

Challenge

Volt Solar Tiles addresses the pressing climate challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning towards sustainable energy sources, by offering aesthetically pleasing alternatives to solar panels. The problem they tackle is significant both globally and locally.

The climate challenge on a global scale is immense. Approximately 90 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions come from burning fossil fuels, primarily for electricity and heat. This dependence on fossil fuels results in the continuous release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, leading to a range of severe environmental consequences, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ecosystem disruptions. 

In Australia, the need for sustainable energy solutions is equally crucial. Traditional energy sources remain predominant in many areas, leading to pollution, resource depletion, and dependence on imported fuels. Australia is the world’s 14th largest greenhouse gas emitter. Recent data shows that in June 2023, the country emitted 465.2 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, a 0.8 per cent increase compared to June 2022. The primary contributor to these emissions is the burning of fossil fuels to produce electricity.

 

Solution

Volt Solar Tiles emerged as a solution to address homeowners' reluctance to install solar panels due to aesthetic concerns, ultimately encouraging the adoption of solar energy on rooftops. By seamlessly integrating solar into the roof, Volt allows homeowners to embrace solar energy without compromising their home’s architecture, at efficiencies comparable to traditional solar panels.

In addition to enhanced aesthetics, Volt Solar Tiles prioritise accessibility and affordability. They are offered at the lowest cost per watt globally, making aesthetically pleasing solar energy more accessible beyond the premium market. The modular design and patent-pending interlocking system ensure easy installation, minimising additional training requirements for certified solar installers and supporting scalability.

Moreover, Volt Solar Tiles' business model emphasises partnerships with stakeholders in the built environment, such as property developers, builders, and architects. These collaborations foster trust among homeowners in adopting Volt’s solar technology, further accelerating the transition to sustainable energy solutions in Australia and globally. 

Result

Volt has achieved significant milestones to date, expanding its footprint to over 82 countries, including key markets such as France, Turkey, and Australia. We have established partnerships with 65 companies in the building sector, with an additional 150 partnerships in various stages of development. These collaborations encompass solar installers, roofing distributors, builders, and developers, positioning Volt strongly in the global renewable energy market.

These partnerships have facilitated numerous projects globally, including the installation of a record-breaking 100 kW residential solar tile system in Turkey, surpassing Tesla's previous record. Environmentally, Volt has had a substantial impact. Since its first installation in Melbourne in October 2022, Volt's solar tiles have generated 266,000 kWh of electricity, resulting in the avoidance of 173,000 kilograms of CO2 emissions to date. - Peter Gleeson, CEO

Looking ahead, Volt is focused on scaling its operations globally. We are finalising a partnership with the largest roof tile manufacturer and solar company in the USA, marking a strategic move into a market with significant potential for growth. Our plans also include enhancing local manufacturing capabilities to support increased demand and fostering growth in locally manufactured solar tile products. Additionally, we will continue to expand our network to penetrate the renewable energy markets in Australia and worldwide, focusing on key markets such as Australia, USA, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and secondary markets including Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, and the UK.

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