Solar shingles offer a sleek, low-profile solar option for many homes, but they may or may not be the perfect fit for your home. Here's how they compare to traditional solar panels and other solar roofing options:
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CertainTeed solar shingles employ the same fundamental solar technology as standard solar PV panels and other solar roofing options: silicon solar photovoltaic cells. However, because of the nature of the product, CertainTeed's solar shingles will produce less electricity than a similarly sized roof-mounted solar panel system.
According to CertainTeed's product specifications, the Solstice Shingle system has an active cell efficiency of 19.85%, within the typical efficiency range for standard solar panels, with average ratings between 17% and 20%. SunPower and Canadian Solar lead the industry with a conversion efficiency of 22.8% for their respective M Series 440 W panel and HiHero 445H-AG panel.
Like other electronic equipment, solar panels can overheat. One drawback to solar shingles is that they don't allow as much air circulation underneath the solar cells to cool them. So, while this installation style creates a low-profile look, it also typically comes with lower electricity production.
Installers can complete traditional solar panel installations in just a few hours; the installation process for CertainTeed solar shingles is more complex. According to CertainTeed, their shingles "function both as the roof covering and the solar PV collector." However, unlike Tesla's solar roofing options, CertainTeed's offering works with your existing roof, so it doesn't require total replacement.
If your primary concern is finding a truly "hidden" solar power installation, Tesla is the leading company offering a "solar roof" with solar cells that are essentially invisible from ground level. However, because CertainTeed shingles are integrated into the roof rather than installed on top of it, they are much lower profile than a standard solar panel system.
In the world of home solar, the lowest cost option &#; and the one that offers the best long-term savings &#; will most certainly be a standard solar panel system.
EnergySage analyzed Tesla's solar roofing data and found that it costs about $6.40/watt, including non-solar roofing materials needed to complete the installation. Certainteed doesn't make specific pricing information available on its website. However, the complexity of installation means that we can expect their system cost to fall somewhere between a standard solar system and a complete solar roof.
According to CertainTeed's website, the Solstice Shingle comes with the following warranty:
Installation & workmanship: 25 years
Inverter & other components: 10 years
Power output: 25 years
Wind warranty: 10 years
These warranties are comparable to other options within the solar industry, including Tesla.
Availability is an area where CertainTeed stands out from other solar roofing options. Tesla's solar roof product is technically available across the country, but you still can't request a quote in some locations. CertainTeed's product is currently available nationwide through its network of installers &#; and there's no waitlist!
CertainTeed, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, has been in business for over 100 years. Since its founding in , the company has expanded into one of the largest building material manufacturers, producing shingles, siding, and even solar products.
The newest iteration of CertainTeed&#;s solar line, Solstice, includes solar panels and shingles. CertainTeed&#;s solar panels are average performers but come at a low price with top-of-the-line warranty options.
Are solar panels right for you?
Pros
Cons
Excellent warranty options
Average panel performance compared to competitors
Reliable company
All-black design
Certified installer program makes it easier to find trusted solar companies
Reasonable price
CertainTeed Solstice panels are a good option for most homeowners looking to go solar. With reasonable pricing, a sleek design, and excellent warranty options from a trusted company, you can&#;t go wrong with putting CertainTeed panels on your roof. The company also has a network of pre-screened installers that can give you access to additional warranty coverage.
The biggest downside to CertainTeed panels is that their performance could be better. There&#;s no stand-out specification for the Solstice models, so for those wanting the latest and greatest, CertainTeed might not be what you&#;re looking for.
CertainTeed has two solar products: the Solstice solar panels and solar shingles.
Image source: CertainTeed
CertainTeed&#;s solar panels can be installed on your roof to generate electricity for your home, reducing your carbon footprint and electricity bill.
The Solstice panels are all-black, which means they look uniform on your roof, especially compared to solar panels from other brands that may have white space. CertainTeed&#;s panels utilize half-cut monocrystalline solar cell technology. Simply put, CertainTeed uses high-performing and durable materials in its solar panels.
There are two Solstice models: a 400-watt (W) and 440 W. The 440 W model is slightly bigger, so it might not be the right choice for those with limited roof space. Both CertainTeed solar panel models have solid performance metrics and come backed by the company&#;s 25-year performance warranty.
Image source: CertainTeed
It comes as no surprise that a roofing industry giant like CertainTeed would sell a solar shingle. Solar shingles are meant to blend in with an existing roof, so homeowners can go solar without sacrificing the curb appeal of their home.
CertainTeed&#;s solar shingles are all black and can be installed by roofers. Each Solstice shingle can output 70 W of power and is designed to look like traditional asphalt shingles, making them less noticeable when installed.
Traditional roofing crews can install Solstice solar shingles, which are built to generate electricity and protect your roof.
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from JM.
Power output
Efficiency
Temperature coefficient
Industry average
400 - 430 W
20% - 21.8%
-0.30%
CertainTeed Solstice
400 - 440 W
20.4% - 20.5%
-0.35%
CertainTeed&#;s Solstice solar panels fall right in line with industry standards. If you want something with outstanding performance specifications, CertainTeed might not be what you&#;re looking for. But, for most homeowners, CertainTeed&#;s solar panels are an excellent solution for powering your home with solar energy.
The power output of a solar panel measures how much power the panel can release under ideal conditions, measured in watts. Today, most residential solar panels have a power output between 400 and 430 W. CertainTeed&#;s two solar models fall right and are right in this range at 400 W and 440 W.
Solar panels are more efficient today than in the past, with the average panel being between 20% and 21.8% efficient.
At 20.5% efficiency, CertainTeed&#;s panels are pretty average. You can find panels from other brands that are more efficient, but unless you have very limited roof space, the efficiency rating shouldn&#;t be a make-or-break decision when choosing panels.
All solar panel specifications are measured at a set of laboratory conditions called Standard Test Conditions. Unfortunately, your roof isn&#;t a lab, so how the panels will perform once installed won&#;t live up to the numbers on the datasheet.
The temperature coefficient measures how much power output decreases as surface temperature increases, giving some insight into how solar panel performance changes in real-world conditions.
Most solar panels have a temperature coefficient of about -0.3%. CertainTeed&#;s panels come in at -0.35%, just slightly above average, meaning they don&#;t operate as well as others under high temperatures. But, the differences are minimal. Because CertainTeed&#;s panels are still in the general ballpark of the industry average, we feel confident they&#;ll be strong performers when on your roof.
Are CertainTeed&#;s solar shingles good performers? CertainTeed&#;s solar shingles have an output of 70 W, just about the same as the Tesla Solar Roof and almost double the output of GAF&#;s solar roofing shingles. CertainTeed is also the only one of these three companies to reveal the efficiency of their solar shingles - 19.85%. That&#;s pretty impressive for a solar roofing product!
CertainTeed&#;s warranty terms. Image source: CertainTeed
Solar panel warranties are important when shopping for a solar system, and it&#;s where CertainTeed shines.
CertainTeed&#;s performance warranty is in line with industry standards, guaranteeing the panels will output at least 85% of their initial rated capacity by the end of 25 years. Solstice panels also have a 25-year product warranty that ensures the panels will be free from manufacturing defects. Many manufacturers only offer a 12-year product warranty.
Homeowners who go solar with CertainTeed-certified contractors can get additional coverage through the Silver and Gold warranties, which cover the panels, inverters, optimizers, racking, and flashing, so long as they're from qualified brands. The Gold warranty is available for customers of CertainTeed Select Solar Master Installers, while the Silver is for CertainTeed Solar Master Installers.
The Gold and Silver warranties also guarantee the system will be free of workmanship damage over the warranty term (25 years for Gold, 15 years for Silver). If CertainTeed finds the workmanship warranty covers a claim, it will be fixed at no cost to the customer.
Having your equipment covered by one warranty makes it easier to file warranty claims in the future. CertainTeed guarantees coverage under the Gold and Silver warranties, even if your original solar installer goes out of business.
Read More: CertainTeed&#;s solar warranty coverage
CertainTeed is a company you can trust. A solar warranty is only useful if the company is around in the future to honor it. Luckily, this isn&#;t an issue when you get Solstice panels or solar shingles. CertainTeed is a reliable company that has been around for over 100 years. You can trust that if anything goes wrong, CertainTeed will be around to cover it.
An average-sized CertainTeed solar panel system costs between $15,600 and $18,000 to install, which works out to between $2.60 and $3.00 per watt of solar. When you consider the 30% federal solar tax credit, the price can drop as low as $11,000!
This falls right in line with the average cost of solar in the United States. Remember, the actual price you pay will vary depending on where you live, the size of your system, and the installer you choose.
How much do solar panels cost in your area?
There is very little information available about the price of the Solstice shingles. But, because solar shingles are a newer product, you can expect an installation to be higher than conventional solar panels.
But, the Solstice shingle price will probably be lower than its biggest competitor, the Tesla Solar Roof, mostly because Tesla&#;s solar shingle option requires a complete roof replacement with expensive roofing materials. With CertainTeed, you might not have to reroof your home completely; if you do, the cost of roofing materials will probably be cheaper than Tesla&#;s offering.
Choosing the right solar installer is the most important part of going solar. You want a company you trust on your roof that can support you for the full 25-year lifespan of your solar panels!
Our team of home solar experts recommend solar installation companies that:
Have been in business for at least five years,
Have positive customer reviews,
Carry good quality products, like CertainTeed panels, and
Employ certified installation crews.
CertainTeed&#;s Solar Master installer program makes it easy to find solar companies that need to meet minimum standards. But you shouldn&#;t stop there! Get quotes from multiple solar companies so you can get the best service and the best price possible!
Find trusted solar companies near you
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Integrated Solutions Solar. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.