Solar Roofing Shingles: Are They Better Than Solar Panels?

Solar Roofing Shingles: Are They Better Than Solar Panels? post thumbnail

Solar roofing shingles should not be mistaken for solar panels. They are a recent creation that functions as a roof and solar panel. Unlike solar panels installed on traditional roofs, which stand out unflatteringly, solar shingles are elegant and low-profile.

Are you considering getting one for your home but are unsure if it is the best decision? Don’t worry—we’ve got you. Here, we will discuss solar shingles’ benefits, drawbacks, and how they differ from solar panels. In addition, we will review some of the best solar roofing companies. Just make sure you don’t skip a line.

What Are Solar Shingles?

Solar shingles, or solar roof tiles, are thin photovoltaic sheets that convert sunlight to electricity. They are an aesthetically pleasing alternative to solar panels. They are also smaller than traditional solar panels; you can install them over an old roof or independently after removing the existing one.

In terms of appearance, many solar shingle designs look like asphalt shingles. However, they have different compositions. They consist of thin layers of solar sheets with glass beneath them. These solar sheets soak up sunlight and convert it to electricity that powers your home. Using solar shingles on your home means you’ll save money on utility bills monthly while protecting your property, making up for the heavy initial investment. How cool is that? Super cool, right? 

Only a couple of companies are in the business of selling and installing solar shingles because they are a new technology.  

Solar Shingles vs. Solar Panels: Which Is Better?

Solar panels

Solar shingles and solar panels convert solar energy into electrical energy, reducing your bills. While they are both sources of renewable energy for homeowners, they have distinct differences we will be highlighting below:

Appearance

Solar panels: Solar panels are conspicuous on roofs because they are rack-attached. They could be blue or black, depending on the solar type you install, which may not match your home’s aesthetics.

Solar shingles: Solar shingles are low-profile. You can directly install them on already-existing roof shingles or replace them with solar ones. Unlike solar panels, they are black, which makes them less conspicuous. 

Composition

Solar panels: Solar panels typically utilize silicon as their semiconductor to soak up sunlight. 

Solar shingles: Solar shingles occasionally utilize monocrystalline silicon to achieve the best energy production and efficiency. They usually contain Copper Indium Gallium Selenide cells, which makes them more flexible than solar panels. This flexibility is what makes solar shingles easier to blend into roof shingles.  

Efficiency and Energy Output

Solar panels: Solar panels are superior in energy production and efficiency. They have a 24% efficiency rating. You know what this means? Solar panels can produce usable energy by converting about 24% of the sun’s rays. In addition, they can provide about 400 watts of power or beyond to your home; that’s more than you’ll get from a solar shingle. This will help you save a lot of money over time.

Solar shingles: They are less efficient at producing energy than solar panels. They, in fact, have an efficiency and power average that falls between 14% and 18% and 13 and 70 watts per shingle, respectively. So, to produce as much power as solar panels, you need more shingles.

Installation Process

Solar panel: To install solar panels, you must secure extensive racking systems to hold them in place. A complete installation will take two days or more. The total number of panels your home needs is dependent on its energy needs. For an average home, 17-21 400-watt panels are enough to power the house sufficiently. 

Solar shingles: You can attach solar shingles to a part of a current roof shingles. However, some require that you replace the whole roof. If you are only attaching the shingles to parts of an existing shingle, you may need between 300-350 shingles for efficiency. That is the average requirement. But if it’s a case of total replacement, you will have to install the solar shingles around the whole roof. A complete installation process can take up to seven days or even more.

Life Span

Solar panels: Premium-quality panels have a lifespan of 25 years and can even last longer if you care for them properly. In fact, some prestigious solar companies offer a 25-year warranty for their panels and their functionality.

Solar shingles: Solar shingles have a life that spans 20 years, depending on the manufacturer and your maintenance culture, as it could be less or more. Some companies may offer warranties for power and the product separately. The product warranty usually protects the shingles’ durability for as long as your home exists. The power warranty, on the other hand, protects the levels of output for about 20 years, depending on the manufacturer.

Overall Size

Solar panels: Solar panels vary in size depending on the type of power they produce. However, a traditional solar panel is 65 inches in length and 39 inches in width. 

Solar shingles: Their size is similar to a traditional roofing shingle. They typically have a width of 12 inches and a length of 86 inches. To make it easy to blend with existing shingles, their thickness is less than an inch. They are also relatively light and weigh around 13 pounds per square foot, making installation easier.

Pros and Cons of Solar Shingles

Pros

  • Aesthetics: Solar shingles are available in different styles and sizes and look like regular ones. Hence, they go well with almost any design.
  • Durability: Manufacturers design these shingles to withstand harsh weather conditions. When your roofing contractor installs them correctly, they can withstand high winds and storms, causing them to last a long time.
  • Long-term savings: Getting a solar shingle is indeed capital-intensive. However, they help you save significant money that could have been spent on electricity bills. 
  • Decentralized energy generation: They can develop electricity independently, making your home independent in energy production. 
  • Stress-free installation: unlike solar panels, they don’t require a large area for installation, making the process easy.
  • Generate renewable energy: They are environmentally friendly because they utilize solar energy, an energy source that is sustainable, reducing greenhouse emissions. 

Cons

  • Energy storage: Solar shingles cannot power your home during a storm or at night because they do not store energy. 
  • Installation angle: You must install solar shingles to trap the sun at specific angles. They also require a sufficient surface area for installation to receive enough sun rays to generate electricity.
  • Expensive: Installing a solar shingle costs more than installing solar panels and traditional shingles.
  • Limited availability: Solar shingles are not readily available, depending on your location. 
  • Low-efficiency rating: Compared to high-performing solar panels, they have a lower efficiency rating. This means you will need more solar shingles to generate power for your home.  

Top Solar Shingle Manufacturers

Because roof shingles are a new technology, they have limited availability. However, there are a couple of manufacturers who specialize in it. Below, we will highlight some of the top manufacturers of solar shingles in no particular order to help you in your decision-making process.

  1. SunTegra Solar: This company provides alternatives for tile and composite roofs. They use independent tile integration for tiled roofs and tile sheets for composite installations.
  2. Certainteed Solar: Certainteed Solar provides homeowners with monocrystalline solar roof shingle and tile options. They have an Apollo Tile II system that works on flat concrete roof tiles and an Apollo II line ideal for asphalt roofs.
  3. Tesla Solar Roof: This solar company provides homeowners with a complete installation for their solar roofs. Their solar roof tiles are highly durable and made of steel and glass. They replace already existing roofs. 
  4. Timberline Solar by GAF Energy: GAF solar shingles have a low-profile design and are installed on already existing shingles. They are durable and can resist high winds of up to 130 mph. In addition, they are available in four different options, giving homeowners a variety to pick from.
  5. Luma Solar: This company designed its monocrystalline shingles to withstand extreme weather conditions. They possess a Class 5+ Miami-Dade hurricane rating, meaning they can defy hurricane-force winds. Luma shingles are compatible with different types of roofs, including metal. They also possess internal technology that can be upgraded.

Conclusion

Solar shingles are ideal for homeowners who want to avoid dealing with bulky installations that compromise their property’s aesthetics while enjoying the benefits of solar power. Although the initial investment in getting a solar shingle is intensive, it is a worthy investment with long-term benefits. Solar shingles offer protection, provide renewable energy, and help you save money. Additionally, they have more aesthetic appeal than solar panels as they blend in more. 

So, to enjoy solar benefits without ruining your home’s curb appeal, you should consider getting a solar shingle. To reduce the cost of your solar shingles, you can apply for federal and state incentives and rebates. We bet that you won’t regret it. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does solar shingle cost?

A typical solar panel system costs roughly $25,000. Per square foot, the cost of solar shingles is between $20 and $30. However, the price varies depending on power needs and roof size.

How does the federal tax credit on solar shingles work?

The federal tax credit can help you save 30% on the total cost of your solar system. This means that for a $20,000 solar installation, you can get $6,000 off. This benefit is available for those who bought solar systems with a loan or cash.

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