The Only Solar Shingles Buying Guide You Need

24 Jun.,2024

 

The Only Solar Shingles Buying Guide You Need

Harnessing the power of solar energy is not only good for the environment, but it&#;s also good for your wallet. While roof panels are what often come to mind, solar shingles are another option for homeowners seeking to add value to their properties.

Are you interested in learning more about solar roof tiles china? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

What Are Solar Shingles?

Solar shingles, or solar roof tiles, are made of slim photovoltaic (PV) sheets that either overlay or replace the existing shingles on a roof. They absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. By relying on this method of energy as opposed to electricity, for example, homeowners will save money on monthly bills and eventually recoup their initial investments.

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1

Palmetto Solar

BBB Grade

A+

Financing Options

Purchase, loan, PPA

Number of States Covered

27

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Palmetto Solar

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2

Blue Raven Solar

BBB

A+

Financing Options

$0 upfront for 18 months

Number of States Covered

21

2

Blue Raven Solar

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3

Momentum Solar

BBB Grade

A+

Financing Options

Purchase, loan

Number of States Covered

10

3

Momentum Solar

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4

SunPower

BBB Grade

A+

Financing Options

The company is the world’s best solar roof tiles melbourne supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

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Number of States Covered

50

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SunPower

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Like regular roof shingles, solar shingles protect your home from the weather and other elements. These shingles are not only energy-efficient, but they also offer a more attractive aesthetic to a home than do the large, bulky panels normally associated with solar-powered energy.

Solar Roof Shingles vs. Solar Roof Panels

Solar shingles work in a similar way to solar panels&#;they both absorb the sun&#;s rays, converting the light to thermal or electrical energy. However, there are a few important differences between solar panels and shingles that you should know about when determining your home&#;s solar energy needs:

Size

Solar shingles are about the same size as traditional roofing shingles, with the average size being about 12 inches wide by 86 inches long, and weighing about 13 pounds per square foot. The thin tiles are less than an inch in thickness. It takes about 350 tiles to complete a typical solar roof installation.

Materials

Solar shingles are typically made from copper indium gallium selenide, which is what allows them to be so flexible and thin. This semiconductor is an ideal material as it results in a high conversion efficiency rate, which is about 10% to 12% on average. Some shingles, instead, use monocrystalline silicon, which is also used to fabricate computer chips. While these are more expensive, they are worth the extra price as they have a higher efficiency rate of around 15% to 20%.

Output

As the primary goal is to lower energy costs, this is a major consideration with solar installation. The majority of shingles will produce anywhere between 13 and 63 watts of power. The number of tiles in a typical home roof installation can lower the utility bill by 40% to 70%; by adding more tiles, you can increase the energy output.

While both solar shingles and solar panels convert the sun&#;s rays into energy, there are a number of differences that will help you decide between the two options:

Appearance

Since solar shingles blend right into the roofing materials, such as concrete or asphalt, many prefer this aesthetic rather than large black panels attached to the roof. In general, solar shingles create a sleeker aesthetic than do bulky solar panels, particularly since only parts of the roof, like the edging, might be covered in shingles to be efficient.

Service Life

Both solar panels and shingles have long life spans, typically upwards of 20 years. However, the longevity of solar shingles varies by the manufacturer and the installation. Warranties also vary; when you purchase solar shingles, be sure that you note the difference between power warranties. Solar shingle warranties can last for a couple of decades based on their production, while durability warranties that cover the shingles themselves can span the lifetime of the home.

Efficiency

Solar shingles are outshined by panels in terms of efficiency for a number of reasons. While solar panels can be adjusted as needed to achieve the best angle to capture the sun&#;s rays, shingles stay in the same place as they were first installed. You can always add more shingles to the roof to harness more energy, but as with all home improvement projects, more materials mean more money.

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Installation

Solar shingles can take as much as a week to install&#;and that&#;s if your existing roof is in good shape. If you are building or redoing your roof before adding solar shingles, it can take even longer. Some solar tile manufacturers, like Tesla, will take two or more weeks to install.
This is in sharp comparison to solar panels, which can be installed within a day.

Durability

Solar shingles have one major advantage to panels: They are more durable. Unlike panels, which sit atop the roof, solar roof tiles are actually part of the roof. As such, they are more resilient and can stand up to harsh weather conditions and fallen debris. Additionally, solar shingles are fire-resistant, a feature that is not inherent in solar panels. (It should be noted, however, that the risk for fire with solar panels is very low.)

Cost

Solar shingles can be on the pricier side depending on how much square footage you need to cover and which types you&#;d like to get. It&#;s important to understand your budget before opting into a solar shingle project.

Solar Shingles Cost

Solar shingles typically cost more than solar panels because of the amount of materials needed for installation. The average price of solar roof tiles ranges from $15,000 to $20,000, but Tesla shingles could cost more than $70,000, along with a lengthy installation period. However, the ultimate cost of solar shingles depends on the size of the roof, the energy needs of your household and the manufacturer and installer of the shingles you have chosen. You can compare this to the cost of solar panels here.

Pros and Cons of Solar Shingles

Here is a rundown of the advantages and disadvantages of solar shingles for your home:

Pros

  • Shingles have a sleeker, more attractive aesthetic. They integrate well with concrete and asphalt roofs in particular.
  • They are weather-resistant and durable.
  • They are easier to maintain than solar panels.
  • They are cost-effective if you are building a new roof

Cons

  • While solar panels have been around for quite a while, solar shingles are young by comparison. Therefore, not every solar manufacturer offers them.
  • The technology is still evolving as well. Not all existing roofs are conducive to solar shingle installation&#;you might have to rebuild the entire roof.
  • They are more expensive than solar panels.
  • They are currently limited in style and colors, though brands like Tesla are introducing new options.

How Many Solar Shingles Do You Need?

To learn how many solar shingles are needed to power a house, you&#;ll use a formula with key factors like the size of your house and your typical energy usage. Since you can integrate solar shingles into your existing roof, the amount of solar shingles you&#;ll need depends on how large your roof is and how much you&#;d like to save on your electricity bill: the more shingles, the more energy output.

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Best Solar Shingle Brands

Here are a number of brands that manufacture solar shingles for use in residential installations:

Tesla

This well-known technology brand also manufactures solar shingles. Tesla shingles are made from quartz, which improves their efficiency and resilience. Not only does Tesla create the shingles, but the company also manages every step of the process, from design to installation, which includes removal of the current roof, if applicable. These shingles come in attractive textures, and they come with a 30-year power output warranty. An app allows you to monitor your shingles&#; energy levels at a glance.

CertainTeed

CertainTeed solar shingles are created with the same monocrystalline technology used for solar panels. There are two designs, one that coordinates with concrete tile roofs and another that matches with asphalt.

SunTegra

SunTegra is another option for those looking for a more budget-friendly option in solar roofing. Its simple, lightweight configuration reduces the time it takes to install and integrates well with either asphalt or concrete roofs.

Luma

Luma solar shingles are different from others on the market in terms of their high efficiency (21%) and durability&#;they can withstand Category 5 hurricanes. They are also billed as the only solar shingle that can be upgraded, which is a great feature to have as the technology improves.

Timberline Solar by GAF Energy

Timberline Solar By GAF Energy is meant to make solar simple. The durable solar shingles are water-shedding and designed to withstand up to 130 mph. Timberline Solar is installed similarly to regular roof shingles and nailed directly to the roof.

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What is the Best Type of Roof for Solar Panels?

The demand for solar is surging. Between and , the residential solar market grew by 40%. Incentives to go solar are growing, too. The Inflation Reduction Act of provides homeowners with a 30% tax credit for solar installations, valid through .

Clearly, now is the time to go solar.

However, it&#;s important for homeowners to understand how different types of roofing materials can impact the performance of solar systems and their ROI.

The wrong type of roofing material can negatively affect your solar panels' longevity and efficiency, diminishing your ROI. On the other hand, a roofing material well-suited for solar can enhance panel performance, extend their lifespan, and increase both ROI and property value.

To help you make an informed decision and find the best type of roof for your solar project, we&#;ll cover the top three things to look for in a solar-compatible roof, including:  

Best Roof for Solar Panels: Long-Lasting and Durable

Solar panels have a long lifespan, typically around 25 to 30 years. Your roofing material should have a similar, if not longer, lifespan to avoid the cost and complexity of having to remove and reinstall the solar panels due to a roof replacement. Here&#;s the average lifespan of common roofing materials. 

Mismatched lifespans between the roof and solar panels can be costly when you consider that panel removal and reinstallation costs range from $2,000 to $6,000. This is common with asphalt shingles, which need to be replaced as often as every 12 years.

A long-lasting roofing material will help to ensure you get the most ROI out of your investments, especially when you consider that an average-sized solar system can increase a home&#;s value by up to $15,000. But if potential buyers need to factor in roof replacement costs, that resale premium diminishes.   

Best Roof for Solar Panels: High Load-Bearing Capacity and Lightweight 

Solar panel arrays add substantial weight to a roof structure. Not all roofs can handle this additional weight, especially when you consider that solar panels typically weigh around 40 pounds each and most homes require at least 20 solar panels. That&#;s 800 pounds of additional weight on the woof.

This makes lightweight roofs with high tensile strength and excellent load-bearing capacity ideal for solar since the added weight of the solar panels won't compromise the structural integrity of the home. Here&#;s how common roofing materials weigh in.   

Best Roof for Solar Panels: Superior Solar Reflectivity

When solar panels get too hot, their efficiency drops. This results in less power output on hot days when you might need it most. A roofing material that reflects sunlight up and away from the home will help maintain a lower rooftop temperature and keep solar panels cooler. For instance, metal roofs have high solar reflectance and thermal emittance values, allowing for optimal solar panel efficiency. Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, absorb heat like a sponge and can reach temperatures as high as 150°F in direct sunlight. This temperature increase not only increases cooling costs, but also contributes to efficiency losses in solar systems. Solar panel efficiency can decline by 0.45% for every degree Fahrenheit increase in temperature above 77°F, causing a significant drop in energy output.

Boost the ROI of Solar with DECRA Metal Roofing  

Metal roofing is rated as one of the most solar-compatible roofing materials due to its longevity, durability, and energy efficiency. Metal roofing is also one of the lightest roofing materials. At just 1.4 to 1.6 pounds per square foot, a metal roof can easily support the weight of an entire solar system, mounting racks, and hardware.

The ROI of solar and metal roofing is tough to beat. On top of the obvious benefits of going solar, metal roofing delivers an equally impressive ROI in the form of:

  • Energy savings: Since metal roofs reflect heat up and away from the home, they can reduce cooling costs by up to 40%.
  • Insurance discounts: Metal roofs qualify for insurance discounts in most states. For instance, in Texas, metal roofing can reduce homeowner's insurance premiums by up to 35%.  
  • Home value: A metal roof can increase home value by up to 6%.

Metal roofs are also well-known as one of the strongest roofing materials and are engineered to withstand nearly anything Mother Nature has to throw at it, including:

But don&#;t worry, the industrial strength of metal roofing doesn&#;t come with industrial aesthetics. DECRA Metal Roofing&#;s line of stone-coated metal roofing products has the design versatility to suit any home style.

From classic clay tile roofs to rustic cedar shake, DECRA stone-coated metal roofing provides the high ROI, energy efficiency, strength, and style you&#;re looking for.

As the original manufacturer of stone-coated metal roofing since , DECRA Metal Roofing has set the gold standard for durable and long-lasting roofing. Manufactured at our state-of-the-art facility in California, DECRA stone-coated metal roofing products have withstood the test of time.

Ready to see the DECRA difference? Request a complimentary sample today.  

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