Many homeowners are interested in going solar, but they want their solar system to look elegant. Some households are also concerned about the hassle of carrying out roof work with roof covering modules. Since the design life of solar panels is approximately 30 years, many homeowners will need to replace their roof over the life of their solar energy system. Although all-black solar panels are now widespread, solar shingles can completely hide your solar panels and avoid the issue of replacing your roof with solar panels. So let’s take a look at the differences between solar shingles and photovoltaic panels.
Although Tesla solar shingles have gained significant media attention, they are still not widespread, mainly due to their high price. They are most cost-effective for new construction projects, homes that require new roofs, or when the homeowner is willing to pay more due to aesthetic preferences.
Regardless of whether you offer solar roof tiles, it is very important to have a basic knowledge of solar shingles and solar panels in order to answer customer questions and stay up to date with trends in the solar industry.
What are solar roof tiles?
Solar shingles incorporate solar cells into the roofing material and are part of a family of solar energy products called building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Depending on the design of the product, they can almost completely hide the solar cells. Other solar roof tiles look different in the solar cell sections, but have a very low profile.
How do solar roof tiles work?
Solar shingles work in the same way as conventional solar panels and produce renewable energy from the sun. So they are a complete roofing solution, providing the same function as a traditional roof and protecting your home from the elements. Additionally, these systems require inverters and are suitable for both grid-connected and off-grid applications.
Solar shingles and solar panels.
Let’s analyze these two photovoltaic technologies side by side.
Higher initial cost, especially with Tesla solar roof tiles
Comparison of solar shingles and solar panels.
Performance
When it comes to efficiency, traditional solar panels are generally superior to solar shingles. Solar panels typically have higher efficiency, often converting more sunlight into electricity through optimized designs and materials. Panels such as monocrystalline silicon models can achieve efficiencies in excess of 20%, while solar shingles, which combine rooftop and solar technology, tend to have lower efficiencies, typically in the 14-18% range. This difference means that solar panels can produce more energy in a given space compared to solar shingles.
Installation.
The cost of installing solar shingles is typically higher than the cost of replacing a roof or installing traditional solar panels. However, this product serves two functions: it generates renewable energy and protects the house from weather conditions.
When installing solar shingles, a solar contractor will typically replace an existing roof or install them on a new structure. Often, these installations contain both active and inactive solar shingles, which may or may not be identical. Inactive roof tiles can be installed where there are insufficient solar energy resources. Durability varies slightly by product, but typical lifespan is approximately 25 years.
Aesthetics.
Aesthetics is an important issue, especially for homeowners concerned about the visual impact of their solar installation. Solar shingles are designed to blend seamlessly with traditional roofing materials for a more aesthetically pleasing, integrated look. They look similar to conventional asphalt shingles and can improve the overall appearance of your roof. In contrast, traditional solar panels are more visible because they sit on top of an existing roof and are often perceived as bulky. For customers who prioritize the appearance of their home, solar shingles offer a distinct advantage.
Cost
Cost is a key factor for customers considering a rooftop solar installation. Traditional solar panels are generally cheaper per watt installed than solar roof tiles. The cost effectiveness of solar panels comes from their mature technology and economies of scale in manufacturing and installation. Solar shingles, as a newer and less widespread technology, tend to have higher upfront costs due to their dual function as both roofing and a solar energy generator. This is especially true with Tesla solar roof tiles.
Impact on the environment.
Both solar panels and solar shingles help protect the environment by generating renewable energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. However, the production and installation processes have their own environmental footprint. Traditional solar panels, while efficient in producing energy, use materials and manufacturing processes that can be energy-intensive.
Solar shingles, by being integrated into the roof, potentially reduce the need for additional roofing materials and could lower the overall environmental impact when replacing traditional shingles. However, the lower efficiency of solar shingles means that more material may be needed to achieve the same energy production as solar panels, which may negate some of these benefits.
Different types of solar shingles.
There are two different designs of solar shingles: interlocking and integrated. Although they are not as elegant, interlocking shingles are relatively simple to install. They provide protection, so no additional roofing materials are needed underneath.
Solar shingles have a low profile because the solar cells are located close to the roof and do not contain a frame. GAF Materials Corporation and Suntegra Shingles offer interlocking solar shingles. Unfortunately, in the case of this product, the solar shingles look different than the rest of the roof.
In contrast, integrated solar roofs mimic the size and shape of shingles or roof tiles. This means it blends well with the roof and can have a very elegant look.
There are many solar roof tiles available in the market, but the most famous are Tesla solar roofs. Tesla provides a 25-year warranty on roof tiles and performance.
This photovoltaic product replaces only part of the roof and looks different than the traditional roof coverings around it. The Apollo II system can be installed with both new and existing roof shingles.
This multi-layer system resembles traditional metal roofing, is available in several different colors and has a 30-year warranty.
This interlocking solar shingle system was created by one of the oldest and largest roofing materials manufacturers in North America. The part of the roof that generates energy looks different from the part that does not use solar energy.
The product they offer is designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes, is three times more durable than traditional roof tiles, and generates 80 watts of electricity per tile. He claims that it is the only roof shingle system with the possibility of expansion.
The locking system is available in both tiles and shingles and has a low profile. It is attached directly to roofing materials, but does not necessarily have a uniform appearance.
How much does it cost to install and maintain solar roof tiles?
The cost of solar shingles varies depending on the size of the roof, the solar shingle product, the efficiency of the solar energy system, and the complexity of the roofline. As a result, it is difficult to provide an approximate price for photovoltaic shingles.
For example, the price of the Tesla Solar Roof has fluctuated significantly over the past few years. Currently, an 8.3 kW solar energy system in Massachusetts with a Powerwall solar array costs approximately $50,000 before incentives for a 1,600 square foot roof. However, this price can increase by thousands for homes with complex roofs.
Solar shingles typically qualify for solar incentives and rebates, such as the Investment Tax Credit and net metering through your utility. However, because solar roof tiles are typically less efficient, they may produce less electricity and result in smaller savings on your energy bills than standard solar panel systems.
Solar shingles require similar maintenance to solar panels, and most systems last between 25 and 30 years. In addition, many products are covered by a 25-year warranty.
Pros and cons of solar shingles.
Because solar shingles are different from traditional solar panels, they have distinct advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of solar shingles.
A certain part of the population considers photovoltaic panels unsightly and therefore does not want to install them. Therefore, these shingles make photovoltaics more attractive to this market segment.
In addition, some homes are located in communities where the homeowner’s association (HOA) restricts the installation of solar panels or requires homes to have a consistent appearance. However, in such cases, solar roof tiles are often allowed, allowing more homes to benefit from solar energy.
Although solar shingles are relatively expensive, they can reduce your roofing costs. In the United States, the average cost to replace an entire asphalt shingle roof is between $5,100 and $10,000. Therefore, the total life cycle cost of a solar roof is not necessarily higher than the cost of solar panels and separate roofing material.
In addition, the lifespan of solar shingles matches that of roofing materials, eliminating the need to dismantle solar panels to replace the roof. Solar contractors often charge around $2,000 or $3,000 for this service. Additionally, solar shingles provide peace of mind for homeowners who don’t want to remove panels to replace their roof. However, installing solar panels on a metal roof is another way to potentially bypass this problem, since metal roofs are designed to last 40-70 years.
Disadvantages of solar shingles.
Solar shingles are still a somewhat new technology that has not yet been widely adopted. As a result, their cost is still relatively high and conversion efficiency is usually lower. As a result, they are generally much more expensive, especially if the home does not require a new roof, and achieving net zero energy using solar tiles alone may be more difficult.
When a solar system is less efficient, it often produces a lower percentage of the home’s total electricity. As a result, such homes may have higher utility bills and associated carbon emissions from generating electricity from fossil fuels than homes with traditional solar panels.
Unfortunately, increasing the efficiency of a photovoltaic system with shingles is more difficult than with panels, and the angle of inclination is limited to the angle of the roof. Additionally, because shingles are less common than conventional panels, solar buyers may need more information to understand their advantages and disadvantages.
Installing solar shingles on a roof takes longer than a typical roof replacement or solar panel installation. Unfortunately, few solar installers have extensive experience installing solar shingles, so finding qualified contractors can be difficult. For companies dealing with solar installations, this means the need to train technicians, which can be expensive and time-consuming.
Solar shingles vs. solar panels: What’s best for your customers?
Ultimately, whether solar roof tiles are a good solution for your clients depends on their home, goals and project budget. As solar roof tiles become more common, their prices may fall, creating a more widespread appeal.