Unlike solar panels, solar shingles integrate right into your roof
Solar shingles are installed in place of traditional shingles to capture sunlight and generate power.
There are two types of solar shingles: crystalline silicon and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS).
It costs $60,000 to $75,000 to install solar shingles on a roof.
Solar shingles are similar to solar panels, but instead of resting on your roof, they become part of it. They behave like regular roof shingles by protecting your home from the weather while converting the sun's energy into electricity to power your house, reducing energy costs and your home's carbon footprint.
Solar shingles more closely mimic the look of regular roof shingles than standard solar panels. Aside from appearance, they also function the same way as regular roofing shingles and have the same level of durability and flexibility, with a lifespan of up to 30 years at peak performance. After this time, they'll still act as shingles and still generate energy—they just won't produce as much energy.
Solar shingles and solar panels can both be viable options to produce solar power for your home, but there are some key differences that can impact which one ultimately works best.
| Solar Shingles | Solar Panels | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 12 in. by 86 in. | 65 in. by 39 in. |
| Materials | Copper indium gallium selenide | Crystalline silicon |
| Efficiency | Under 20% | Over 20% |
| Output | 16 watts per sq. ft. | 20 watts per sq. ft. |
| Lifespan | 20–30 years | 20–30 years |
| Appearance | Integrates into the roof | Installed on racks on the roof |
Residential solar panels are about 65 inches by 39 inches, and the number of solar panels you should install will depend on how much sunlight you get each day, the electricity needs of your home, and the amount of space you have available. Solar shingles are larger than traditional shingles and measure 12 inches by 86 inches.
Solar panels are composed of photovoltaic (PV) cells that include a semiconductor core made of either monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon. Some solar shingles are made from the same material as solar panels, but most solar shingles use copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) as the semiconductor material.
Solar panels are typically more efficient than solar shingles at up to 24% efficiency. Solar shingles, on the other hand, typically fall under 20% efficiency, meaning you’ll need more solar shingles to generate the same amount of power as solar panels.
Solar panels can achieve 20 or more watts of power per square foot, but solar shingles typically top out at around 16 watts per square foot. This means it will cost more to achieve the same output with solar shingles as solar panels.
Solar shingles and solar panels can both last between 20 and 30 years with proper maintenance and upkeep. To get a good idea of how long each solution will last, you can check the manufacturer’s warranty.
Solar shingles can cover your entire roof and act as your only roofing material, or they can be integrated into the standard shingles and only cover a portion of your roof. The number of solar shingles you need will depend on how much power you need and the amount of sun you receive. Solar panels are installed on top of the roofing material using solar panel racks.
If you’re looking for a solar solution that will blend in with the rest of the roof, then shingles are the way to go. Solar panels have an unmistakable appearance when installed on the roof that indicates a dedication to generating power from renewable resources.
Solar panels are installed in addition to your roofing material while solar shingles act as the roofing material itself. Solar shingle installation can be faster and more efficient than installing solar panels because they attach directly to the roof whereas solar panels require solar panel racking and may take longer to install.
When picking out solar shingles for your roof, you have two major choices.
Silicon solar shingles resemble standard solar panels, as they're framed and rigid. However, they're thin, sized like a shingle, and integrate with existing roofing materials. These are more costly to produce, purchase, and install. They’re also less efficient than CIGS shingles.
CIGS solar shingles are lightweight and flexible. They blend better with your existing roof and, from a distance, a whole installation looks exactly like regular shingles. CIGS shingles are comparatively inexpensive, more energy-efficient, and have a longer lifespan.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Doubles as a roofing material | More expensive than solar panels |
| Can reduce utility bills | Less efficient than solar panels |
| Uses a renewable energy source | Should be installed by a professional |
Each shingle generates up to 63 watts of power. In theory, if you install enough of these shingles, you can generate enough solar power to entirely replace your conventional electricity supply.
But you don't have to install a whole roof full—even a 20% reduction in conventional energy usage is beneficial for the planet (and your wallet!). However, if your roof is in need of significant repair anyway, it might be worth hiring a local roofing specialist to install at least some solar shingles to maximize your savings.
"Solar shingles provide the water-shedding characteristics of a traditional roof while harnessing the sun’s energy and converting it to free electricity,” says Jesse Garrett, general contractor and principal owner of Liberty Roofworks in Charlotte, NC. “This is where I see the greatest opportunity for ROI in the future."
It's also important to note that your roof doesn't need to be in full sunlight for the shingles to be effective. They make use of diffuse, scattered light, so they work even on overcast and rainy days.
But if you do live in an area that gets a lot of sunlight, or you have a roof full of shingles but don't use that much energy, you can really clean up. When your solar shingles generate excess energy, it's passed to the local electric grid and you get paid for it. While all counties have different methods of compensating homeowners who produce excess solar energy, it's usually in the form of a check or a deduction on their next bill.
The average cost to install solar shingles is $60,000 to $75,000. Expect to pay between $20 and $25 per square foot. You can reduce the cost by not having a full roof replacement, but that will reduce the amount of energy your roof produces.
Remember: The more shingles you install, the lower your energy bill and carbon footprint. When factoring in cost, you should also consider the resale value—the Department of Energy states that buyers are willing to pay a premium of up to $15,000 for a home using solar energy.
Note that you may be eligible for rebates and incentives to install solar shingles, and there are many solar financing options available.
When considering solar panels, you’ll need to assess your roof's age, size, pitch, and shape. The trees shading your home will also impact whether rooftop solar panels are the best option. A solar panel installation pro can assess your roof and recommend the next steps.
Solar shingles need professional solar installation. However skilled you are, you cannot safely install solar shingles yourself.
Additionally, your contractor has to apply for a permit to connect your roof setup to the local energy grid. Because each shingle requires individual installation and wiring, these installations are time-consuming and labor-intensive.
