What is Solar Shingles and How They Work and Compare

Solar shingles are tiny solar panels that are meant to look like and replace traditional roofing materials such as asphalt shingles with energy-generating alternatives. Solar shingles are an example of building-integrated photovoltaics, as opposed to being positioned on top of a roof, as most household solar panels are.

The primary benefit of solar shingles is cosmetic. They are notorious for being more expensive and inefficient than normal solar panels, but as technology develops, they may become more realistic for more individuals.

Solar shingles are a good source of solar electricity, and while they aren’t the most efficient or cost-effective alternative, their aesthetic appeal is a compelling reason to use them if you can afford them. According to research, sleeker, less obvious solar equipment is more popular, and many consumers are ready to pay more for solar power systems they perceive more appealing—that is, more disguised. If the low profile of solar shingles appeals to homeowners who dislike the appearance of regular solar panels, they may be able to help install additional solar capacity on rooftops that would otherwise be devoid of it.

How Do Solar Shingles Work?

Solar shingles have been commercially available since 2005, and while they have developed over time, the core concept remains the same: integrating solar panels into the roof rather than just installing them on top of it.

All solar shingles are intended to serve as both roofing materials and power sources, although they can do so in a variety of ways. Some solar shingles, like most traditional solar panels, employ silicon as a semiconductor, whilst others rely on thin-film solar cells, which include super-thin layers of photovoltaic materials such as copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) or cadmium telluride (CdTe). The thinness of these solar cells makes them lighter and more flexible, both of which are extremely beneficial. Previously, flexible thin-film solar roofing had to be put on top of another roofing material; however, modern materials are hard and durable enough to function as shingles in their own right.

Solar shingles, like regular rooftop panels, convert solar energy into electricity by capturing the flow of electrons generated when a semiconducting material such as silicon, CIGS, or CdTe is exposed to sunlight. While solar shingles and solar panels use the same basic photovoltaic effect to generate power, they differ significantly in appearance, materials, and installation.

Solar shingles, for example, do not require a mounting system because they are not installed on racks like other solar panels. Instead of traditional roofing shingles, solar shingles are affixed directly to the roof deck.

Solar shingles are often put at the same time as the rest of the roof, either during new construction or while repairing an old or damaged roof. Waiting for this situation reduces the cost of solar shingles by including their cost into the overall cost of roof installation, which was likely required otherwise.

Installing solar shingles with a new or rebuilt roof also allows homeowners to avoid replacing older but working shingles before they are needed, and it may be done by a single roofing contractor—as long as the contractor has expertise installing photovoltaic shingles, according to the U.S. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office Solar shingles can be used as the principal roofing material for a home, however they may simply replace existing shingles on selected areas of the roof in some circumstances.

Solar shingles are more expensive to install than standard solar panels, especially if you want them to cover your entire roof. According to a project manager for a California solar contractor in a 2019 case study of a solar-shingle installation, solar shingles are mostly offered in more wealthy locations. Customers frequently contact to inquire about solar shingles, according to the project manager, only to be met with “sticker [price] shock” and choose for standard solar panels instead. Solar shingles are more cost-effective when placed as part of a full roof replacement, he adds.

Solar shingles’ effectiveness and cost vary greatly based on factors such as brand, installation, roof intricacy, and amount of covering. Among the most popular brands of solar shingles or tiles are CertainTeed’s Apollo II, SunTegra, Luma, and Tesla. Many integrated solar roofing materials have a conversion efficiency of approximately 15%, a life expectancy of 20 years or more, and adequate resilience to compete with standard shingles in terms of weather resistance. Solar shingles can cost anywhere from $30,000 to more than $100,000 for a typical home.

In 2016, Tesla announced a new solar roof that has since become an industry leader in the solar shingle market. According to the business, Tesla’s solar roof includes solar shingles that are “more than three times stronger than ordinary roofing tiles” and “designed for all-weather protection.” They can resist wind speeds of up to 166 miles per hour and hail up to 1.75 inches in diameter.

However, the news concerning Tesla solar roofs is not all great. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in April 2021 that the business made “major errors” with the solar roof project, resulting in service delays and cost hikes that impacted both existing and new customers. Some customers have filed lawsuits against the corporation because of the price rises. Musk has stated that “the intricacy of roofing varies substantially,” and that Tesla has had problems “assessing the difficulty of various roofs.”

Tesla initially charged a fixed amount for solar roofs regardless of complexity, but in early 2021, it began considering complexity into its price. A sophisticated roof may currently cost more than $19 per square foot, yet a basic roof may cost as little as $14 per square foot. Previous Tesla estimates indicated that a 10-kilowatt solar roof in California may cost roughly $34,000. With these price hikes and the now-required battery, the entire cost of a Tesla solar roof might have jumped by 30%, with some estimates in the six figures.

The cost of solar shingles might vary depending on numerous aspects, and it’s typically worth checking around for bids locally. Some companies may charge as little as $10 or $11 per square foot.

Solar Shingles Pros and Cons

The most apparent advantage of solar shingles is their aesthetic appeal, which allows homeowners to produce power with a roof that seems sleeker from the street, relieving worries for some who loathe the sight of traditional solar panels. Other advantages include their durability (many solar shingles are built to survive hail and hurricane-force winds) and efficiency, which varies but may be comparable to that of bigger panels.

The biggest disadvantage of solar shingles is their high cost, which makes them unfeasible in many circumstances unless they are part of a freshly built or renovated roof. They may also be unavailable from some solar contractors, and because they are not installed on racks, sunlight exposure may be compromised depending on the slope of the roof.

Pros of Using Solar Shingles

• Aesthetically pleasing.
• Quicker installation process.
• Protects your roof and replaces asphault shingles, making them more cost-effective if you need to replace your roof.

Cons of Using Solar Shingles

• Few installers.
• New, hasn’t been around long.
• Much higher cost.
• Lower efficiency.
• Dependent on the slope and positioning of your roof.
• Harder to take with you if you move.

Solar Panels vs. Solar Shingles

Solar shingles are smaller than solar panels since they are designed to look like ordinary roofing shingles. They also attach to the roof in a different way: instead of sitting atop specific racks put on the existing roof, solar tiles are designed to blend in more easily.

Solar panels and solar shingles have similar predicted life spans of 20 to 30 years, and because many solar shingles employ materials similar to those used in bigger panels, their conversion efficiency may be equal as well. The primary distinctions are usually aesthetics and pricing, with solar shingles often delivering a more streamlined look at a greater cost, but this price can vary greatly.

Solar Tiles

While the phrases solar tiles and solar shingles are commonly used interchangeably, they can also refer to various types of roofing material. Solar shingles are typically made to resemble asphalt shingles, whereas solar tiles may resemble regular roofing tiles. Some businesses provide both solar shingles and solar tiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Efficient Solar Shingles?

Solar shingles are less efficient than solar panels, therefore you will receive less energy from them. The location and slope of your roof in relation to the sun will also affect efficiency, but solar panels may be modified or put in ground mount systems.

What is the Big Con for Solar Shingles?

The slope of your roof must be at the optimum angle to the sun for solar shingles to be successful, although solar panel orientations may easily be altered. Solar roof shingles may not be a viable option if you have a particularly steep roof or one that is not facing the proper direction.

Solar shingles cost more than regular solar panels.

How much do Solar Shingles cost?

Solar shingles can range in price from less than $30,000 to more than $100,000, depending on the size of your roof. They’re pretty pricey on their own, but experts suggest that they’re more cost-effective when installed as part of a conventional roof installation.

Or if you are in the Philippines, they can go around 300,000 Php to 1,000,000 Php depending again on the size of your roof and the location of where it will be placed for the labor costs.

Can you walk on Solar Shingles?

Although walking on solar tiles should not harm them, it has generated a safety issue in the solar business. Tesla has conceded that its solar shingles are dangerous to walk on.

Can you go off-grid with Solar Shingles?

You can technically go off-grid with solar shingles—and Tesla believes that’s a very reachable option with its roof—but shingles are considered to be less effective than standard solar panels, so you’d need a lot of cover and sun exposure, as well as a battery to store the solar electricity, for it to work.

Are Solar Shingles commercially available now?

Solar shingles are commercially available and have been since 2005.