Solar shingles, also known as photovoltaic shingles, are solar panels that look and work like regular roofing materials, such as asphalt or slate, while also generating electricity. They are a type of solar energy system called building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
There are different kinds of solar shingles. Some are solid panels that replace several regular shingles in a row. Others are flexible designs with multiple silicon solar cells, shaped like typical shingles. Newer models use thin-film solar cell technology, which matches regular shingles in size and flexibility. Some products include up to 100 watts of power per shingle.
Solar shingles are made by several companies.
History
Solar shingles began selling in 2005. In 2009, a representative from Dow Chemical Company told Reuters that entering the solar shingle market could bring $5 billion in income by 2015 and $10 billion by 2020. Dow's solar shingles, called the POWERHOUSE Solar System, were first sold in Colorado in October 2011. A third version of the POWERHOUSE Solar System was given permission to RGS Energy for use from 2017 to 2020, when RGS Energy went bankrupt.
In October 2016, Tesla joined with SolarCity to create solar shingles. Later, Tesla bought SolarCity, and the solar shingle product was called "a flop" in 2019. EnergySage, a company that helps people compare solar options, reported that Tesla's product, now called the Tesla Solar Roof, had "experienced major delays in its design, production, and use." In January 2022, GAF Materials Corporation announced it would begin selling its own solar shingle product.
Description
Solar shingles are solar panels that collect sunlight and change it into electricity. Most solar shingles measure 12 inches by 86 inches (300 mm by 2,180 mm) and can be attached directly to roofing felt. When installed, they leave a 5-inch by 86-inch (130 mm by 2,180 mm) area exposed on the roof. Different types of solar shingles require different installation methods. Some can be placed directly on roofing felt alongside regular asphalt shingles, while others need special installation techniques.
Earlier manufacturers used solar thin-film technology, such as CIGS, to create electricity. This type of technology is now less common in the solar industry compared to silicon-based cells. Today, companies like RGS Energy, CertainTeed, and SunTegra use standard monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon solar cells in their products, including the POWERHOUSE 3.0, Apollo II, and SunTegra Shingle. Some solar shingle systems are easier to install than traditional solar panels because they do not require locating rafters and are installed in a way similar to asphalt shingles. Other systems, like the Tesla Solar Roof, are harder and more costly to install, as they require removing and replacing the existing roof.
Solar shingle roofs often have a dark, purplish-blue or black color, making them look similar to other roofs in most cases. Homeowners may choose solar shingles because large solar panels can be very visible and affect the appearance of a house.
Cost
The cost of solar shingles can be between $3.80 and $9.00 per watt installed. This depends on the company that makes them, the type of technology used, and the size of the system. In May 2019, the average cost for a traditional, roof-mounted solar panel installation in the United States was just over $3.00 per watt, according to the Solar Energy Industry Association. Solar shingles are usually more expensive to install than traditional solar panels. However, since 2014, some companies have worked to reduce the difference in cost between installing solar panels and solar shingles.
According to reports from Dow Chemical Company, a typical home installation with 350 solar shingles may cost at least $20,000. However, federal and state incentives, which vary by location, can lower this cost significantly.
Solar contractors often provide homeowners with a full-service price for installation. This includes buying the equipment, preparing and filing permits, registering with the local utility company, offering workmanship warranties, and completing the on-site installation. Because solar energy systems produce electricity as direct current (DC), and most homes use alternating current (AC), all grid-connected solar installations include an inverter. The inverter changes DC electricity to AC electricity, which is used in homes.