Solar Roof Shingles

If you’re in the market for solar roof shingles then you’re in luck, because today, we’re going to enlighten you about why this increasingly popular form of solar technology might be a more viable option for you than traditional photovoltaic panels. Though solar technology, in general, has been around for quite some time now shingles are quite a recent development and aren’t currently being offered by all manufacturers due to the solar market taking a while to catch up.

Over time, we’re confident that they’ll at least become as widely used as the standard panels you see affixed to homes and businesses all over the world. They may even eventually outstrip traditional panels in popularity for a number of reasons that we’ll now explore in further detail.

What Are Solar Shingles and How Do They Work?

In their base form, all solar shingles for sale are ultimately based on exactly the same technology that is found in standard photovoltaic solar panels that have been widely used for decades now. These shingles are simply much smaller versions of solar panels that are designed to lock together and absorb the rays of energy that are being emitted from the sun. Once this energy has been absorbed it is converted to a useful form.

This conversion process results in an electrical charge that is then redistributed through an inverter and sent out through a grid circuit to power almost any electrical item of your choosing. What makes this type of energy technology so attractive is the fact that the sun is a renewable and free resource; therefore, once you’ve paid for the initial cost of installation, you’re then you no longer have to pay out large amounts for sustained energy access throughout the year.

In regards to solar roofing shingles specifically, they’re a great alternative to the traditional solar panel format since they more closely mimic the natural appearance of a traditional roof and may even absorb more energy due to their wider surface area compared to panel-based solutions.

Whether you’re looking to integrate shingles as a means of improving the aesthetic appearance of your home (and its value) or simply to make long-term energy savings there’s little doubt that the positives involved in using this type of sun-fueled energy solution massively outweigh the negatives.

Pros and Cons of Solar Shingles

Though the best solar shingles available on the market come packing a wealth of positive benefits there are, unfortunately, also a few negatives that you need to consider before you decide to incorporate this technology into your home. We’ll first provide you with an overview of what makes shingles so attractive as a sustainable and green energy option before giving a comprehensive overview of some of the negative aspects and areas you might not have considered at all.

Overall, the main benefits of using solar panels roof shingles are:

They provide enormous long-term cost savings
They’re low maintenance after installation aside from regular servicing
They’re far more aesthetically appealing than panels and can mimic the traditional appearance of a roof more closely
They may be able to absorb more energy than traditional panels due to their wider surface coverage area
They’re completely green and leave zero emissions on the ozone layer

The negative aspects of using shingles are as follows:

The upfront installation cost is typically far more expensive than integrating any other form of energy into your property
Not all varieties of shingle design are compatible with all roofs and the most advanced options may even require a total roof rebuild
Shingles are often more expensive than normal photovoltaic panels due to them covering a wider surface area
Installing shingles is a more complex process than installing traditional panels

Even with the above disadvantages, provided you’re happy with the costs involved in putting shingles in place and you know what you’re getting yourself into, then as soon as the initial installation is complete there’s almost zero problems that you can realistically expect to encounter.

Best Brands of Solar Shingles

In this section, we’re going to highlight some of the best brands associated with solar roof shingles production so that you can invest your hard-earned money into a top-quality product from some of the market-leading manufacturers for total peace of mind.

Shopping by brand name alone is never the best route to go down. You should always make a purchase decision based on who can provide the right product to suit your specific requirements, reputable brands will, at least, carry a high degree of service standard delivery and the positive reputation to match.

Some of the best brands currently producing solar shingles are:

CertiainTeed
Tesla
RGS
Luma
Sunflare
Hanaenergy
Exasun
Suntegra

We’re aware that the high upfront costs of solar installation make it a huge decision to process, but rest assured that should you decide to use a product created by any of the above manufacturers you’ll be getting a premium, highly efficient, and durable product.

Solar Panels vs Solar Shingles

It can be quite hard to decide whether or not you should opt for solar panels or shingles. There can sometimes be an enormous price difference, but there are certainly a few reasons for and against either option that might help you to make a decision.

On the whole, the reasons why panels may suit you more than shingles are:

They’re usually cheaper to install
There is a wider array of options as they are offered by more manufacturers
Your roof may not support the use of shingles therefore a roof rebuild may be required
They’re easier to access and maintain that shingles
You can use panels in a wider variety of locations

The reasons why shingles may suit you more than panels are:

Shingles are more aesthetically pleasing than bulky panels
Shingles can increase the value of your home by up to $15,000, or even more in some cases
Shingles may allow you to absorb and use more solar energy due to their wider surface area
Shingles are on the whole more subtle and less disruptive to the appearance of your home and its surroundings once in place

As you can see, there are some very valid reasons for choosing either type of solar technology. It’s all about your personal preferences and budget.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve read through today’s post, we’re now hoping that you feel completely confident about making the right solar choice to suit your personal needs and preferences. What makes solar shingles so attractive is ultimately the fact that they seamlessly weave into your home’s design and still manage to produce the same energy result as the now old-fashioned photovoltaic panels that can be very detrimental to a home’s appearance.

Whether you’re looking to try and squeeze a little more energy out due to a wider surface area or you simply want to use solar without disrupting your home’s appearance, there’s no bad reason to use solar shingles.