GoKawiilSolar tile adoption slowed by custom engineering and repair costs, industry voices say
Swiss manufacturer Freesuns, which reports 20-30% sales growth since 2019, is weighing US expansion even as solar roof components remain made in small, non-standardized batches. Industry figures including Freesuns CEO Deborah Learoyd and solar contractor Collardson describe how each roof requires custom engineering, multi-trade coordination, and heavier regulatory paperwork, while repairs are costlier than standard panels because shingles lack built-in monitoring electronics and risk micro-fracturing when walked on.