Solar Shingles vs. Solar Panels: Which Is Better for Your Space?

Imagine utilizing the power of the sun without compromising the aesthetics of your home. That’s where solar shingles come into play. This innovative technology seamlessly merges with your roof, turning sunlight into a sustainable power source for your household.

But when compared with solar panels, both have their own set of perks to offer. Consequently, it becomes almost impossible to choose one of them before you know which is better for your space. That is exactly what we will try to answer in this complete solar shingles vs. solar panels guide.

What are Solar Shingles?

Much like their traditional counterparts, solar shingles are masters at converting sunlight into electricity. They belong to a type of building-integrated photovoltaic technology, offering a brilliant alternative to conventional roofing materials. While their natural habitat is atop roofs, these versatile shingles can also find a home in other parts of your building exterior, especially in their sleeker and more flexible forms.

While solar shingles may not be as well-known as standard solar panels, they’ve been gaining momentum in the renewable energy arena. If you’re considering this forward-thinking option, SolarXess stands ready with all the tools and expertise you would need to install solar roof shingles.

What are Solar Panels?

You might already be familiar with this green energy solution; solar panels have been around since the 1900s. But it was only after the 2010s that they became efficient enough to produce over 400+ watts per day. Now you can see them as the big, blue rectangular panels lining rooftops and sometimes mounted on the ground in open spaces.

What are the Benefits of Solar Shingles Over Solar Panels?

Solar shingles and solar panels share the same basic principle. Both absorb sunlight and convert that energy into electrical power for a home or office. The differences lie more in their shape and the location where they are (usually) installed. We have summarized these below.

Solar Shingles Are Aesthetically Pleasing

Solar shingles are the aesthetically appealing and futuristic green energy option that homeowners of 2023 are considering. Unlike bulky asphalt or concrete tiles, solar shingles are much thinner and more flexible that not only fit right onto your rooftop but can also be used as house edgings for decorative purposes. Get aesthetics along with power generation!

Solar Shingles Offer Greater Scalability

Unlike traditional rigid solar panels, solar shingles are more flexible, and thinner and offer greater scalability when used in residential areas.

Easily Integrated into Existing Roofing Material

Solar shingles can be integrated into roofing materials; solar panels lack this feature by always requiring open space at the top of a roof.

Solar Shingles are Better at Withstanding Harsh Weather Conditions

Designed to replace your traditional roofing, solar shingles of course come with inherent weather and dust resistance. Solar panels, on the other hand, are not designed to withstand changing weather conditions. Compared to solar panels, solar shingles have the advantage of being lightweight in comparison while offering long-term durability.

Solar Shingles Have Great Future Potential

Solar shingles are a hot topic for the 2020s. Being the newest BIPV technology, their thin-filmed versions are heavily researched as futuristic sustainable solar solutions. They benefit from generating consistent power, not only at elevated temperatures but also on cloudy, overcast days and at low sun angles.

Who are the top 5 Solar Roof Manufacturers Selling Solar Roof Shingles?

GAF Energy (Timber Line Solar Roofing)

Offering a 25-year warranty, the first in the line is Timber Line Solar Roofing. These solar roofings from GAF Energy are made to repel rain and endure winds of up to 130 mph. Timberline’s installation method for these shingles is quicker and more seamless because they nail the solar shingles onto your roof.

What’s more? They even offer solar shingles in four different color combinations: black and grey, brown and red, blue and green, and beige and gold. Now, isn’t this enough of a choice to compliment your house exterior? That is why we love GAF’s Timber Line Solar Roofs.

Tesla Solar

Tesla produces mediocre yet well-rounded solar products. Just like GAF Timberline solar roofing, Tesla Solar Roof also follows suit. It comes with one of the strongest solar roof warranties we’ve observed. Tesla Solar Roof has three limited warranties.

Product, weatherization, and power output warranties safeguard your roof from manufacturing flaws, wind, and rain. They claim that your solar roof’s performance won’t drop below 95% for five years. The Tesla Solar Roof has a 110-mph wind rating and on average 15.3 watts per square foot.

Luma Solar Roof Shingles

With its monocrystalline shingles capable of resisting Category 5 hurricanes, Luma Solar takes third place as a solar roof manufacturer. The shingles made by Luma Solar can be put atop metal roofs and are also upgradeable. This allows homeowners to not only take advantage of the latest BIPV technology but also ensure they stay up-to-date as their system ages.

CertainTeed Solar Roof Shingles

The 14 all-black monocrystalline cells (70 watts per shingle) make up the basic size of the CertainTeed Solstice solar shingles. These are available with a standard 25-year limited power guarantee. CertainTeed solar shingles have water channels built into them to prevent leaks and are placed over an existing roof.

Unfortunately, owners with wood, metal, or tile roofs may want to seek elsewhere since CertainTeed solar products only function with asphalt shingle roofs.

Sun Tegra Solar Roof Shingles and Solar Tiles

SunTegra provides low-cost solar shingles and tiles that are put over your existing roof. While its tiles are laid one at a time for a more seamless appearance, its solar shingles are installed in bulky sheets atop composite shingles. But thanks to their black color and sleeker appearance, both are good solar roofing alternatives when compared to conventional rack-mounted solar panels.

Now that we have seen the top solar roof manufacturers, let us dive right into the cost of solar shingles vs. solar panels.

What is the Cost of Installing Solar Roof Shingles vs. Solar Panels?

The cost of a complete solar shingle installation includes many factors. It is not just the product price and the service charges. There is a miscellaneous cost of removing existing roofing and disposing of it properly. There are also costs associated with tailoring these solar roof singles according to the design and structure of your roof.

The same goes with solar panels which have upfront cost of the product and service charges of installation and maintenance.

Let us discuss these costs separately.

Cost of Solar Shingles vs. Panels as a Product

This is the first thing on your mind, right? If you want to estimate the cost of solar shingles, everything boils down to how large your roof is and which brand you are considering.

Because, unlike traditional roof shingles, solar roof shingles come with solar cells. Since these cells are responsible for converting sunlight into electricity, they are priced per watt, not per square foot. This cost can be anything between $3.50 to $8.50 per watt, depending on the brand.

On the other hand, solar panels are priced per panel, or a complete 6kW system. This costs around $6000 to $9000 depending on the type of solar technology and the brand. Doing simple math gives an average price of a solar panel to range from $1 to $1.5 per watt. There are also cheaper alternatives of polycrystalline solar panels for as low as $0.75 per watt.

Therefore, it seems obvious why small homeowners drift towards solar panels as it is cost-effective. But do note that the price of a solar shingle includes the price of roofing materials. If you are interested in knowing how many solar shingles you will need to power your house, just follow the link.

Cost of Solar Shingles Installation vs. Solar Panel Installation

The cost of solar shingle installation should be the second thing to ask. While most solar companies do not advertise the price, keep in mind that it will always be 15 to 20% higher than a solar panel installation. An average solar panel installation costs around $24000 in the US. This puts the average solar shingles installation at $30000.

So, adding both the cost of solar shingles and its installation, you can expect your overall installation to range between $25,000 to $60000. If you divide this by the size of an average roof in the U.S., it reduces to $15 – $35 per square foot.

For a solar panel installation, the total cost amounts to $33000 at a maximum which reduces to just $3 per square foot. This is significantly lower than solar shingles.

Solar Shingles vs. Solar Panels: Energy and Efficiency Comparison

Another important thing to consider when comparing solar shingles and solar panels is their energy production levels. You can significantly increase the performance of your solar panels by just adjusting them to capture maximum sunlight throughout the day.

By doing this, solar panels can generate up to 400W per day, which is more than the performance of solar shingles. Solar roof shingles, on the other hand, are less effective since they cannot be adjusted and do not allow for enough air circulation beneath them.

Even if you had carefully designed your house and preplanned to take maximum advantage of your roof inclination relative to sunlight, still, the maximum you could generate is 70W per day. As you can see, these energy production levels are way lower than those of solar panels.

Solar Shingles vs. Solar Panels: Maintenance Costs

Solar shingles and solar panels have little to no moving parts. So once installed, they do not need much handling and maintenance. The good thing is that both of these come with 20 to 25-year product and weatherization warranties. So don’t worry, these warranties will take care of what little maintenance solar shingles or solar panels may need.

Solar Shingles vs. Solar Panels: Lifespan

So the last question in these comparisons: how long do solar shingles and solar panels last? While the industry standard for solar panels is 25-30 years, most only last for up to 20 years before seeing a decreasing power output. The same goes for solar shingles whose manufacturers are offering a 20–25-year product warranty, thereby hinting at its service life.

This means there is no significant difference in their lifespan and they are just equally capable of holding on for that long before needing repairs or a possible replacement.

Environmental Impact of Solar Shingles and Panels

Both solar shingles and solar panels are eco-friendly and green solutions to energy and cost savings. However, when considering the environmental impact of solar shingles vs. solar panels, the former takes the lead in being greener Here’s how.

Since solar shingles are an alternative to a traditional roof, they replace the roofing materials that otherwise would be needed. As a result, this reduces the CO2 emissions when manufacturing the required roof materials.

Unfortunately, this is not the case with solar panels. Unlike solar shingles, solar panels need an open space as they are not an alternative to your roofing. Hence, you will always need traditional roofing materials alongside a solar panel installation. Naturally, this is not an eco-friendly package to consider.

How to Choose Between Solar Shingles vs. Solar Panels?

Choosing between solar shingles and solar panels all comes down to user-specifics and location. Perhaps, you are considering learning about the advantages of installing solar shingles vs. solar panels – we were thinking the same! Here are the features of solar shingles vs solar panels made into an infographic to help you make your choice.

Solar Shingles Vs. Solar Panels: What Should You Choose?

Solar shingles and solar panels are both green and eco-friendly options that you can consider when going solar. There are tons of reasons why you should consider investing in solar shingles. Especially if you are constructing a new house, solar shingles will help you cut down your costs by being an alternative to traditional roofing material.

But making the final decision all comes down to your budget, availability of materials, and your specifications. We know one can get short on budget when constructing a new house. This is why we are giving out something special to help you save your money – read on!

Loved this Solar Shingles vs Solar Panels Guide. Ready to Know More About How to Find Yourself a Contractor? – SolarXess Can Help You Find One Right Away!

With over 10+ years of experience in over 45+ countries, SolarXess is known for its efficient and reliable roofing services – solar roof shingles are just one of many! If you want more information on solar roofing, contact us today. Who knows, you might be eligible for a big 40% discount – hurry and sign up for free today!

Faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Are solar shingles more expensive than solar panels?

Yes, they are. Solar shingles installation demands removing the previous roofing material and installing these solar roofs. Naturally, this makes them more expensive than solar panel installations that do not require removing anything.

2. Will solar shingles power my house?

Of course, yes – that is what they are for to generate power for your house! But you need to estimate your average power consumption and see whether putting on solar roof shingles can help you cover it.

3. Can I walk on solar shingles?

Yes, you can walk on solar shingles, but do not walk on them unnecessarily. While solar shingles are made durable enough to withstand external pressure, they can become faulty if structurally damaged. Especially because their surface is lined with thousands of tiny and fragile solar cells integrated.

4. How much power do solar shingles produce?

You can expect your solar shingles to produce around 25 and up to 70 Watts of power per shingle depending on which brand you are using.

5. How long will my solar shingles last?

The average lifespan of solar shingles is between 20 to 30 years. That is roughly the same as that of solar panels.

6. Can I install my solar shingles – is it DIY-friendly?

No, solar shingles are not DIY-friendly. You will need expert technicians and roofers to get your solar shingles installed. It is best to call a certified solar installation company to do that.

7. If I move, can I take solar shingles with me – are they portable?

Yes, solar shingles can be moved, but this may incur high costs to remove them. Also, there are chances to damage them in relocation structurally. There may also be a clause in your warranty that limits this. Always ensure you take all the necessary information from your solar roofing installer.

8. Are solar shingles a roofing material?

Yes, solar shingles are a roofing material that also generates electricity from sunlight. Hence, solar shingles can replace your traditional roofing.

9. Yes, solar shingles are a roofing material that also generates electricity from sunlight. Hence, solar shingles can replace your traditional roofing.

Yes, in the USA, power consumers are eligible for up to 30% of the solar tax rebate if they have installed solar shingles.

10. How long does it take to install solar shingles?

It can take up to a week or two to install solar roof shingles. However, it highly depends on your roof condition, roof design, and how your contractor sees it best.

11. It can take up to a week or two to install solar roof shingles. However, it highly depends on your roof condition, roof design, and how your contractor sees it best.

You can expect up to 50 to 80% ROI on your solar shingles. Because, unlike bulky and less attractive solar panels, solar shingles give your roof a real touch-up on aesthetics. This increases home value and the ROI you expect.

12. Where to buy solar shingles?

GAF and Timberline are the two big solar roof shingle manufacturers in the USA. Look for independent solar roofing contractors online, like Renoage.

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