Solar Roof Tiles: The Pros and Cons
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Solar power popularity continues to increase. This has led to a desire for more options when it comes to solar energy. Solar shingles, or tiles, are quickly becoming the most popular option. These are panels designed to look like conventional roofing materials or tiles. The solar industry has a lot to offer homeowners that want to make their home environmentally and budget-friendly. Solar tiles are more durable than panels alone as well as ordinary roof shingles. They are also lighter weight so better for roofing that cannot take too much stress. This makes them a multifunctional roof covering, which is a long-term beneficial investment.
Solar Roof Tiles: The Pros and Cons
What Are Solar Tiles?
Solar tiles consist of thin-film solar cells that are made from copper indium gallium selenide. The tiles are 12×86 inches and weigh approximately 13 pounds per square foot. The cell material is light and flexible and a great semiconductor. Solar tiles are relatively new and very high-tech, so you want a professional to install them. Installation is a labor-intensive job, so you want to make sure it is done properly to protect your investment. Each tile is placed individually while wiring each one inside the building. This is tedious and mistakes can be costly, so you need to hire a professional. You also need permits to own solar-powered equipment, and a professional installer can handle this for you too.
How Much Power Do Solar Tiles Produce?
To get the best energy efficiency with limited spacing, all the features of solar panels needed to be put into the tiles. There were challenges to this, but one solar tile can produce between 50 and 114 Watts. When it comes to getting the most power, homeowners need to pay attention to the roof sides. Solar tile installation is best along the true south. The northern sides of the roof should be covered with matching tiles of regular roofing material.
Solar Tile Maintenance
Solar tikes look just like roofing tiles, so maintenance is simple. You do not need specialized equipment to clean solar tiles. You want to make sure you remove leaves, debris, snow, and ice, but other than that, a regular hose can be used to clean solar tiles. These tiles are lightweight but can withstand large loads and heavy gusts of wind. With regular maintenance and cleaning, solar tiles can last between 25 and 30 years.
Pros of Having Solar Tiles
Save Money:
Just as with solar panels, tiles will reduce your energy bills and save you money. You may even have the opportunity to make money back from the power company, for the excess power your solar tiles send back to the grid.Aesthetically Pleasing:
Solar tiles look more like regular roofing tiles, so are more aesthetic. The natural look is more appealing especially to prospective homeowners. The way solar tiles blend in with the roof is more natural and popular as a result of their subtlety.
Cons of Having Solar Tiles
They Are Not Panels:
Solar tiles are energy efficient, but they are not as equally efficient as panels. You can tilt panels to get maximum sun exposure through the day, which you cannot do with tiles. You may have to buy more tiles to get the same energy efficiency levels as homes with panels.Expensive:
in the long run, you will save money, but the initial installation is costly. Installation of solar tiles can cost anywhere between $10K and $20K. Some states offer grants to help with initial installment costs, so it is worth checking into that option to save money.
Solar solutions are one of the best solutions to the energy problems we are currently facing. In many cases, solar panels are not practical, which makes solar tiles a great alternative. Solar tiles will also save money over time because they only need a single installation and very little maintenance. In addition to this, solar pricing continues to decrease as more homeowners grow accustomed to having these systems.
Final Thought
Your roof, with the addition of solar tiles, can keep you cozy and safe, and generate electricity. Manufacturers continue to make solar tiles more affordable and more efficient, so the future is definitely looking brighter for solar-powered homes.
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Solar roof tiles provide an alternative to conventional solar panels. Instead of being installed on existing roofs with racking systems, solar tiles are part of the roof itself. They can be a viable option in new constructions and major renovations, since a roof installation and a solar array can be combined into a single component. Solar roof tiles are also known as solar shingles.
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In New York City, solar tiles can be used to meet Local Laws 92 and 94 of , which mandate sustainable roofing systems. These can be solar power systems with at least 4 kW of capacity, or green roofs. These laws apply for new roof installations, and also for modifications and expansions in existing roofs.
In existing buildings, the main disadvantage of solar shingles is having to remove parts of your roof for their installation. They are also more expensive than conventional solar panels. However, in cases where a new roof or a roof expansion was planned anyway, solar tiles may achieve a lower cost than the sum of a normal roof and solar panels.
Reduce your electricity bills and building emissions with solar power.
How Much Do Solar Roof Tiles Cost?
The cost of solar tiles varies depending on the provider, but you can expect to pay over $5,000 per kilowatt. For comparison, a residential solar panel system costs around $3,000 per kilowatt, while large commercial and industrial projects can reach costs below $1,000 per kilowatt. In terms of cost, solar shingles cannot compete with solar panels in large projects. However, they can be cost-effective in the residential sector, especially when a roof upgrade and a solar power system are being considered for the same property.
The new version of the Tesla solar roof is promising, since the company website reports an estimated price of $33,950 for a 10 kW installation. This is equivalent to $3,395 per kW, and much closer to the typical cost of a solar panel system. A 10 kW solar roof from Tesla requires an area of square feet, which leads to an installed cost slightly under $17 per sq.ft. and a power generation density of 5 watts per sq.ft.
Personal preferences also play a role when deciding between solar panels and solar shingles. Since solar roof tiles have around twice the cost of normal PV modules, their payback period is twice as long. However, both products have a typical service life of over 25 years. Long-term savings can be expected in both cases, but solar shingles need more time to reach positive cash flow.
When Are Conventional Solar Panels Recommended?
In addition to being more affordable, solar panels can concentrate more watts per square foot of capacity. High-efficiency solar panels have over 300 W of capacity within an area of 17.6 sq.ft. This means you can fit over 34 kW of generation capacity in sq.ft.
Solar panels are the recommended option if you want to maximize electricity production with the space available. On the other hand, solar shingles offer the appearance of a normal roof without panels, but the available space is used less efficiently. Using solar tiles that generate 5 watts per square foot, you need 6,800 sq. ft. to reach 34 kW of capacity.
If you are considering a roof upgrade and a solar power system, the best recommendation is getting quotes for both options: solar roof shingles, and a normal roof with solar panels. Also consider the electricity output over time - solar panels produce over three times more energy per square foot.
In New York City, LL92 and LL94 of require a minimum solar power capacity of 4 kW, or otherwise you need to install a green roof. This can be a limitation if you want to use solar shingles for a small roof, since you need around 800 sq.ft. to reach 4 kW. On the other hand, by using high-efficiency solar panels, you can fit 4 kW in less than 200 sq.ft.
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