Rise | We've Done the Research
What Is a Solar Shingle?
Like solar panels, solar roofing is designed to capture the energy from the sun that is shining on your roof and turn that energy into a usable power source for your home. Though different types of solar roofing products are available, they are all essentially mini solar panels designed to look like and function as conventional roofing materials. The main market driver of solar roofing products was consumer demand for solar panels that were less noticeable and conspicuous. Though some people appreciate the "futuristic" look of a roof clad in solar panels, others lament the loss of traditional roofing appearance. Solar roofing, then, is made to resemble asphalt shingles or slate tiles while also producing electricity. All of the different types of solar roofing are known as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
How Do Solar Shingles Work?
Solar shingles are a widely produced option in the solar roofing industry. Companies like Tesla, SunTegra, and CertainTeed, have developed solar roofing products based on integrated solar panels that mimic the size and shape of typical asphalt shingles or roof tiles. These solar shingles blend into the roof's look better than traditional solar panels. In addition, they don't require extra shingles or other types of roofing materials underneath them.
Some companies produce separate, shingle-sized solid panels that resemble individual shingles. Other companies are developing semi-rigid designs containing several silicon solar cells sized more like conventional shingles. The newest systems rely on thin-film solar cell technologies that match traditional shingles both in size and flexibility. Homeowners can also find larger solar roofing panels that are sized more like regular solar panels. However, at the same time, they act as an autonomous roofing solution. Integra, for example, has a building-integrated photovoltaic panel that produces 100 watts DC rating per shingle.
What Types of Solar Roofing Are There?
The development of solar shingles was met with excitement by many homeowners. Besides the improved aesthetics of solar shingles, many homeowners thought that solar shingles might reduce the cost of residential solar installation by absorbing the cost of the roof itself. Across the United States, the average cost for a roof replacement is $8,300. Thus, one of the enticements with solar shingles was that these renewable energy-producing panels could also eliminate the costs of purchasing and installing a new roof. Consumer enthusiasm for solar shingles ultimately led to the development of other types of solar roofing alternatives, including:
- Integrated Solar Metal Roofing, and
- Interlocking Solar Panel Roofing
We will dive into each below.
How Long Does Solar Roofing Last?
Solar shingles and other solar roofing products are lightweight and easy to install. Like all types of roofing alternatives, they are designed to withstand rain, wind, and hail and should easily last for 25 years or more. For example, Tesla's Solar Roof comes with the following specifications/warrantees:
- Tile warranty: 25 years
- Power warranty: 25 years
- Weatherization warranty: 25 years
- Wind rating: ASTM D3161 Class F
- Fire rating: Class A (highest rating)
- Hail rating: ANSI FM 4473 Class 3
What Are The Best Brands of Solar Roofing?
Tesla's Solar Roof is by far the most popular and well-known solar roofing option. The original price was $21.85 per square foot for Tesla's solar shingle roof. However, Tesla's roof price has increased drastically in 2021, with some cases seeing a price increase 50% above earlier quotes. Other options include:
We will look at each of these below.
Luma Solar Roof
The Luma Solar Roof boasts solar shingles rated to exceed category five hurricanes and has an impressive 80 watts per shingle energy rating.
SunTegra Shingles
SunTegra Shingles attach directly to an existing roof and integrate with composition shingles and other low-profile roofing materials. Their roofing systems use 50 percent fewer parts than a conventional rack-mounted solar system and install in half the time.
Forward Solar Roofing
As we mentioned above, Forward Solar Roofing is an affordable option that looks like standard metal roofing. It is constructed with a multi-layer system where the wiring and attachment systems are hidden underneath the metal, providing a clean look for your solar roof.
What Are The Benefits and Drawbacks of Solar Roofing?
Solar roofing offers the advantages of having renewable energy production integrated directly into your roof. Most solar roofing products will also drastically improve the aesthetics when compared to standard solar panel mounting. For example, Tesla's Solar Roof is made of glass-faced tiles that use hydrographic printing to give the tile an appearance that looks remarkably like slate, clay tile, or a dark shingle. As solar roofing options increase in popularity, they are also becoming more affordable.
On the downside, solar shingles and solar roofing continue to be significantly more expensive than regular solar panels. They are certainly not the most cost-effective option for residential renewable energy production. That said, a solar roof can potentially cut the electricity bill of an efficient home down to near zero.
So, If you need a new roof and also want to invest in residential solar PV, then solar roofing might be the most cost-effective option for you.
Tobias Roberts
Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.
