Solar shingles, also called photovoltaic shingles, are solar panels designed to look like and function as conventional roofing materials, such as asphalt shingle or slate, while also producing electricity. Solar shingles are a type of solar energy solution known as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
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There are several varieties of solar shingles, including shingle-sized solid panels that take the place of a number of conventional shingles in a strip, semi-rigid designs containing several silicon solar cells that are sized more like conventional shingles, and newer systems using various thin-film solar cell technologies that match conventional shingles both in size and flexibility. There are also products using a more traditional number of silicon solar cells per panel reaching as much as 100 watts DC rating per shingle.[1]
Solar shingles are manufactured by several companies.[2][3]
Solar shingles became commercially available in .[4] In a interview with Reuters, a spokesperson for the Dow Chemical Company estimated that their entry into the solar shingle market would generate $5 billion in revenue by and $10 billion by . Dow solar shingles, known as the POWERHOUSE Solar System, first became available in Colorado, in October . A 3rd generation of POWERHOUSE Solar System was exclusively licensed to RGS Energy for commercialization from until , when RGS Energy filed for bankruptcy.[5][6]
In October , Tesla entered the solar shingle space in a joint venture with SolarCity.[7] Tesla later acquired SolarCity and the solar shingle product was described as "a flop" in .[8] Solar marketplace provider EnergySage reviewed the now named Tesla Solar Roof, noting that it had "experienced significant setbacks that have delayed its design, production, and deployment."[9] In January , GAF Materials Corporation announced they would start selling a solar shingle product.[10]
Solar shingles are photovoltaic modules, capturing sunlight and transforming it into electricity. Most solar shingles are 12 in × 86 in (300 mm × 2,180 mm) and can be stapled directly to the roofing cloth. When applied they have a 5 in × 86 in (130 mm × 2,180 mm) strip of exposed surface. Different models of shingles have different mounting requirements. Some can be applied directly onto roofing felt intermixed with regular asphalt shingles while others may need special installation.
Some early manufacturers used solar thin-film technologies such as CIGS to produce electricity, which are less common in the solar industry than silicon-based cells. Current manufacturers, such as RGS Energy, CertainTeed, and SunTegra, have chosen to use the industry-standard monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon solar cells in their POWERHOUSE 3.0, Apollo II, and SunTegra Shingle, respectively. The installation methods for some solar shingle solutions can be easier than traditional panel installations because they avoid the need to locate rafters and install with a process much more similar to asphalt shingles than standard solar panels. Other solar shingles, such as the Tesla Solar Roof, are much more difficult and expensive to install, requiring the removal and replacement of the existing roof.
Solar shingled roofs tend to have a deep, dark, purplish-blue or black color, and therefore look similar to other roofs in most situations. Home owners may prefer solar shingles because large solar panels can be highly visible and spoil the aesthetics of the house.[11]
The cost of solar shingles can range from $3.80 per watt up to $9.00 per watt installed depending on the manufacturer, technology used, and system size.[12] As of May , the average cost of a traditional, roof-mounted residential solar panel installation in the United States was just above $3.00 per watt, according to the Solar Energy Industry Association.[13] While solar shingles are typically more expensive to install than traditional solar panels, some companies in recent years since have made strides to lessen the gap between the installed cost of going solar with panels versus going solar with shingles.
According to Dow Chemical Company reports, a typical residential install consisting of 350 solar shingles can cost at least $20,000; however, federal and state incentives depending on the location might significantly bring down the cost.[4]
Solar contractors typically offer homeowners a full-service price for solar installation, which includes equipment purchasing, permit preparation and filing, registration with the local utility company, workmanship warranties, and complete on-site installation. Because photovoltaic solutions produce power in the form of direct current (DC) and the standard in homes is alternating current (AC), all grid-connected solar installations include an inverter to convert DC to AC.
Solar shingles are roof shingles that are designed to look like traditional roofing materials, but they can actually generate electricity like solar panels.
Solar roofs are more discrete than regular solar panels, making them a popular choice for people building new homes, replacing their roofs, or those living in a homeowner’s association (HOA) that prohibit solar panels.
Solar shingles are a newer technology, so fewer companies sell them. But there are a few stand-out solar roof brands, including:
Tesla’s solar roof
GAF solar shingles
Luma Solar
CertainTeed
Suntegra
Solar shingles are roofing shingles that contain photovoltaic solar cells so they can generate solar energy. They are designed to look like and offer the same level of protection as traditional asphalt shingles, all while producing solar power at the same time.
Homeowners can be hesitant to install solar panel systems because of the way they look on their roofs. Solar shingles allow homeowners to still get all the benefits of solar energy without having to sacrifice the aesthetic of their homes.
Just like traditional solar panels, solar shingles are also typically monocrystalline.
The average solar shingle installation costs $27,360 to over $100,000. The cost will vary depending on the brand you choose, your roof size, and where you live.
Most solar shingle installations cost somewhere between $3.80 and $7.00 per watt of solar installed. Tesla’s solar roof costs less, at just $1.80 per watt, but it requires a full roof replacement and expensive materials – making the total cost one of the most expensive options for solar shingles.
Some of the best brands for solar shingles in include:
Tesla Solar Roof
GAF Energy
Luma Solar
CertainTeed
Suntegra
Solar shingle brand
Output (per shingle)
Warranty
Cost (per watt)
Tesla Solar Roof
72 W
25-year tile and power warranty
$1.80 + roof replacement costs
GAF Energy
45 W
25-year manufacturing warranty
25-year performance warranty
10-year workmanship coverage
$4.00 - $4.25
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit solar shingle manufacturers.
Luma Solar
80 W
25-year limited power warranty at 80%
5-year limited product warranty
$4.50
CertainTeed
70 W
25-year limited power warranty
25-year limited workmanship warranty
10-year 110 limited wind warranty
$3.00 - $6.00
Suntegra
114 W
25-year power warranty
10-year product warranty
$4.00 - $6.00
Out of all the products offered by Tesla’s Energy line – the solar roof has definitely generated the most buzz. Each shingle has a wattage rating of 72 W, which isn’t bad compared to other solar shingles on the market. If you want to fully invest your home in renewable energy, you can integrate a Tesla solar roof, Tesla Powerwall battery, and a Tesla EV!
As for the cost, Tesla is on the pricier side. This is because Tesla’s solar roof acts as a solar installation and a full roof replacement all in one. The solar tiles and expensive roofing materials cost about $99,500 for an average-sized home.
Installing a Tesla solar roof includes a 25-year product and power warranty, so you’ll have coverage for any faults in your system. Bottom line, Tesla products offer a one-stop-shop for solar power, EVs, and energy storage.
GAF is a well-established roofing materials company that has also ventured into the world of clean energy. GAF Energy offers its line of Timberline Solar Energy Shingles, each of which has a 45 W power rating and comes with a 25-year manufacturing and performance warranty, as well as 10-year workmanship coverage.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000 for a GAF solar shingle installation, but the total cost will ultimately depend on your home’s characteristics.
GAF’s solar shingles are designed with roofers in mind. The top portion of the shingles are made of asphalt so that they can be nailed into the roof like regular shingles, simplifying the installation process and making it possible to get your roof replaced and solar installed by one company.
In , about 2,100 units of GAF’s Timberline Solar energy shingles were recalled due to fire hazard concerns. The issue has since been resolved, and GAF Energy’s response made it clear that they provide top-notch support.
Luma Solar developed the first fully integrated solar roof system in the U.S., referring to their solar shingles as a luxury product that homeowners can upgrade in the future to meet advanced solar technology standards.
Luma Solar’s solar roofing is similar to Tesla’s, where you must get a full roof replacement of solar and non-solar tiles. A full end-to-end installation can cost between $70,000 to over $100,000.
Luma’s shingles have a power rating of 80 W per roof tile and come with a 25-year production warranty and a 5-year limited product warranty. The shingles are also rated to withstand winds of 200+ miles per hour, which can be useful for residents living in areas prone to major storms and hurricanes.
CertainTeed is a reputable company that manufactures traditional roofing shingles and has begun offering a line of solar products. CertainTeed currently offers a line of residential building-integrated photovoltaic roofs (BIPV) and solar panels.
CertainTeed solar shingles cannot be installed over an existing roof system and are designed to be installed in new construction or during a roof replacement. There’s no indication online on how much a full installation of CertainTeed’s Solstice shingles will cost, but you can expect to pay between $210 and $420 per shingle.
CertainTeed’s Solstice Shingles offer 70 W of power output per shingle and 19.85% efficiency – all backed by a 25-year power and performance warranty. As an added bonus, CertainTeed also offers a 10-year 110 MPH limited wind warranty.
Suntegra is another popular brand that manufactures solar shingles. Suntegra offers solar shingles and solar tiles, so you can choose which integrates better with your existing roof material.
These low-profile monocrystalline solar shingles have three different output wattages to choose from, 105 W, 110 W, and 114 W, giving homeowners different options to support their energy production needs. The cost varies from $4.00 to $6.00 per watt, depending on which wattage you choose. Suntegra’s shingles are also backed by a 25-year power warranty and a 10-year limited product warranty.
Just like a traditional solar installation, solar shingles come with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Environmentally friendly: Solar shingles are a renewable energy source that does not give off any harmful emissions.
Reduces electricity bills: Energy generated by solar shingles powers your home, so you use less electricity from the grid and save money on your monthly electric bill.
Eligible for incentives: Solar shingles are eligible for the 30% federal solar tax credit and may also be eligible for other local incentives depending on location.
Good curb appeal: Solar shingles are integrated into your roof, giving a sleeker look than a bulky solar panel installation. Shingles could also be a solar solution if you live in an HOA that doesn’t allow solar panels.
Expensive: In most cases, the total cost of installing solar shingles is about three times the cost of conventional roofing materials, and most solar shingles are at a higher price point than solar panels in the U.S.
Limited options to choose from: Solar shingles are a newer technology, so there are fewer brands to choose from.
Requires roof replacement: A traditional solar system is placed on top of an existing roof, whereas solar shingles replace the roof itself, which might require an entire roof replacement.
Not as efficient: Solar shingles can’t produce energy as efficiently as solar panels because they’re installed flat against the roof, unlike panels that can be angled for optimal performance as needed.
The truth is that it depends on your circumstances! In general, traditional solar panels will be a better financial investment for most homeowners because they cost less to install and produce more energy. Solar shingles are more of a luxury purchase.
There are scenarios where solar shingles are the right option. For example, if you want solar but can’t install panels due to HOA restrictions, solar shingles can provide the benefits without the look of solar panels. Aside from this, solar shingles could come in handy if your roof is in desperate need of a replacement – it's a roof replacement and solar installation all in one! They might be right for you if you have the money and are interested in the technology.
But, in general, traditional solar panels will be a better financial investment for most homeowners. For starters, solar panels are substantially cheaper than solar shingles. Not only that, but solar panels can generate electricity more efficiently, meaning you’ll save more money on your bills, all while spending less upfront.
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