In warm weather, the roof absorbs heat and transfers it to the rest of your home. You want your home to be cool and comfortable, a growing concern as climate change shifts toward warmer weather patterns. At the same time, running your air conditioning increases your energy bill, an unwelcome monthly expense in today&#;s economy. Environmentally conscious Massachusetts homeowners also want to limit AC usage to reduce their carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. CertainTeed has stepped up to the challenge with Solstice solar shingles that use advanced photovoltaic (PV) technology.
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Does a solar roof make sense in New England&#;s climate conditions? Consider that we have an average of over 200 partially or totally sunny days a year. The solar panels embedded within the shingles are made with advanced photovoltaic technology, converting sunlight into electricity with exceptional efficiency. Even under low light conditions, such as cloudy days, Solstice Shingles can still generate electricity and contribute to your energy needs and cooling comfort.
Here&#;s good news about going solar when it comes to taxes: Solar shingles quality for the IRS clean energy tax credit. This one-time tax incentive equals 30% of the costs of new, qualified clean energy property installed anytime from through . In addition, the Massachusetts state solar tax credit is worth 15% of total solar installation costs up to $1,000. Other potential incentives include:
Solar property tax exemption
Solar sales tax exemption
Various rebates from power companies for installing solar
Net metering
And more
When most homeowners think of home solar solutions, they think of bulky panels that lack curb appeal. But that doesn&#;t have to be the case. Unlike traditional solar panels, solar shingles are building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs), which means they integrate directly into your roof.
In other words, while Solstice Shingles use the same PV technology as solar panels, they are sleeker, have a low profile, and blend in with standard black asphalt panels. The resulting effect is uniform and seamless, so the look of solar on your roof is no longer an issue.
On the downside, solar shingles cost roughly 60-190% more than solar panels for the same amount of output. Still, solar shingles may be a smart option for homeowners concerned with the aesthetics of solar panels. When comparing brands, CertainTeed solar shingles offer the highest performance in the market and are relatively affordable, with pricing close to a new solar system with a roof replacement.
Massachusetts weather covers the extremes of heat, humidity, wind, and storms. CertainTeed&#;s Solstice Shingles, backed by a long-standing reputation as a high-performance brand, brings the assurance of high energy efficiency, durability, and reliable performance&#;and more:
The sleek and uniform appearance integrates seamlessly with asphalt shingles, preserving curb appeal.
Manufactured to the highest roofing quality standards, Solstice Shingles meet and exceed code compliance standards.
Homeowners are protected by CertainTeed&#;s lifetime limited transferable warranty for added peace of mind and protection.
These long-lasting solar shingles are designed to generate electricity reliably for 25 years.
Underwriters Laboratories Class A fire resistance rating for withstanding severe fire exposure and helping to reduce the spread of flames.
Solstice shingles lead the market in rain and wind resistance, with a 110 mph wind-resistance warranty of 15 years.
All CertainTeed shingles undergo rigorous testing to ensure their durability and longevity.
Investing in solar shingles can be a smart investment, and so is hiring award-winning roofing experts trained in the proper installation of CertainTeed Solstice Shingles. Known for superior craftsmanship and integrity, the experts at award-winning Golden Group Roofing will help you to determine the best shingle option for your energy goals and aesthetic style. Contact us today for information and a free estimate on Solstice shingles or other roofing solutions.
Key points
Solar shingles are a great fit for homeowners who want solar power but don&#;t want it to stand out. Solar shingles are roof shingles able to generate solar energy. A solar-shingle roof can be almost indistinguishable from a regular roof.
While solar shingles and solar panels offer similar benefits, such as lower energy bills and a decreased carbon footprint, you may find that one or the other isn&#;t right for you.
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Get Quote Get QuoteSolar shingles are sleek and low-profile but require replacing your entire roof. They&#;re also roughly twice as expensive as traditional solar panels &#; though similar to the combined cost of an equivalent solar system and a new roof.
Find out if solar shingles fit your particular use case in our in-depth guide to solar shingles below.
Solar shingles are a clever combination of roof shingles and solar photovoltaic (PV) cells. A classic example of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), a solar shingle has solar cells integrated into its surface. Based on factors such as energy needs and roof orientation, some or all of a home&#;s roof tiles can be solar shingles.
Unlike traditional solar modules, which are immediately noticeable on a roof, the low-profile design of solar shingles helps them blend in with their nonsolar counterparts.
Solar shingles were invented by Dow Chemical Company, which first launched a commercial solar roof tile in . However, the technology gained widespread attention when Tesla announced its revolutionary solar roof in .
The main difference between solar shingles and traditional solar panels is that solar panels are installed on top of your current roof, while solar shingles replace the existing roof.
Since solar panels are not required to mimic a building material, they are designed primarily with power output in mind.
Solar shingles, on the other hand, have design limitations, which lead to slightly lower efficiency. Design limitations also affect the size, durability, material and expected life span of the shingles. The table below outlines the key differences between solar shingles and solar panels.
FeatureSolar ShinglesSolar PanelsLife span20&#;30 years25&#;40 yearsMaterial Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) or passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) monocrystalline PVMonocrystalline silicon or PERCSize12&#;15 in. by 45&#;86 in.Around 65-by-35 in.Power Output13&#;72 W Up to 550 WEfficiency Range15%&#;20%Up to 24%Solar shingles are still a relatively new technology, so there are several things to consider before committing &#; including cost, power output, durability and appearance. When evaluating multiple solar shingle options, aim to find an optimum balance between these and other relevant factors.
A solar shingle&#;s power rating determines the number of shingles your roof requires to generate electricity. A shingle with a high power rating will provide ample power in a smaller space. This is particularly helpful if you have a small roof or a roof with a smaller South-facing section, which is the ideal direction for North American systems.
Solar shingles can generate from 15 W to more than 70 W based on the major options on the market, including Tesla, SunTegra, GAF Timberline and CertainTeed. Brand and model will affect energy output. The Tesla solar shingle, for instance, generates 71.67 W, while the GAF Timberline solar shingle generates 45 W of peak power.
Solar shingles can vary in size, which is why manufacturers also offer a power generation value per square foot. For example, Tesla&#;s shingles generate a little more than 15 W per square foot of surface area.
Installing solar roof shingles is somewhat similar to traditional roof shingle installation, making it more complex and time-consuming than standard solar panel installation. This is in part because installers must tear off your existing roof. Some solar shingle brands require you to replace your entire roof, while others can replace just parts of it, making the installation somewhat cheaper and faster.
Aside from this, the complexity of a roof can also affect the ease, speed and cost of the installation process. For example, it is more complex to install solar shingles on a roof with too many obstacles. Similarly, a roof with an orientation or pitch that does not allow it to receive ample sunlight will need more solar shingles to compensate for the reduced performance, adding to the time, effort and cost of installation.
Similar to traditional roof shingles, solar shingles are exposed directly to harsh sun, rain, snow and hail &#; which means durability is key.
The best solar shingle options on the market are tested for durability with mechanical stress tests and hail impact tests. When considering a solar shingle model, verify that the manufacturer has tested the product for as many durability tests as possible. This will help you get a better return on your investment.
Most reputable solar shingles come with a 25-year product warranty, which is the minimum length you should look for. Not all warranties are equal, though; you should check for these types:
Most major solar shingle products integrate a thin-film solar cell into a glass or steel tile. This often makes them stronger than traditional asphalt shingles. Currently, copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) is the most common thin-film composition used in solar shingles.
Thin-film solar cells have been in commercial use for a while. They may not be as widespread as crystalline silicon (which is used in most solar panels), but their flexibility and lightweight construction make them perfect for portable or BIPV applications, such as flexible solar panels or solar shingles.
The earliest solar shingles were simply solar cells attached to otherwise regular roof shingles. These shingles, though not as apparent as solar panels, were easy to distinguish from regular roof shingles.
However, technological advancement in the industry has led to innovative designs that make the &#;solar&#; component of solar shingles almost invisible. Most solar shingles blend in seamlessly with surrounding roof shingles. Many solar shingles are even designed to look like traditional asphalt roof shingles.
Although solar shingles haven&#;t captured the solar PV market like the ever so popular solar panels have, a significant number of reputable companies have launched their own solar roofing products. Here are some examples:
Most of the above brands offer installation services, but you can also install their products through authorized installation partners. For example, Green Home Systems is an authorized installer for CertainTeed&#;s solar shingles.
The cost of solar shingles varies based on brand, system size, roof size and pitch, and overall installation complexity. Installing a solar roof system on a typical American home may cost between $25,000 and $60,000 but can range up to $70,000 or more, according to Axia Solar.
Solar shingles are more expensive than solar panels, which cost an average of $2.86 per watt. By comparison, solar shingles cost from $4.80 to $6.40 per watt, according to Axia. While this may seem high, the total cost to install solar shingles is comparable to the combined cost of a new conventional roof and a traditional solar panel system.
The average payback period for solar panels in the United States is less than 10 years, while the life of a solar power system is 25&#;30 years. This means solar power can offer around two decades of free electricity. Considering the nation&#;s average electricity bill of around $137 per month, this can amount to significant lifetime savings, particularly in states with high electricity costs, such as California.
Despite solar shingles&#; high price, the cost of solar products, including panels and shingles, has dropped drastically over the past decade. At the same time, the cost of conventional grid power is constantly rising.
A solar roof is a solar power system, which means your solar shingles will be eligible for most or all of the solar incentives and rebates available for traditional rooftop solar systems. This includes federal, state-level and local incentives offered by municipalities and utility companies.
The most important solar incentive available in the United States is the federal solar tax credit. Also known as the solar investment tax credit (ITC), it allows you to deduct 30% of your system&#;s cost from your income tax payments. For example, if a solar shingle system costs $50,000, you can get a noteworthy income tax credit of $15,000.
In most states, solar shingles are also eligible for state-sponsored solar loans such as the PACE financing program, which allows you to finance your solar roof and repay the borrowed amount through an addition to your property taxes. Your solar company can apply for the solar incentives on your behalf.
Solar shingles have quickly gone from an interesting new invention to the logical next step in the evolution of solar photovoltaics. Their ability to power a home while being inconspicuous sets them apart from traditional solar panels. Moreover, the dropping price of solar shingles makes them a sound investment &#; especially in cases where a new roof is required.
If you are interested in exploring solar shingles for your home, check out our top choices for solar or reach out to reputable solar companies or roofers and compare quotes from at least three installers. We recommend starting with Tesla and Green Home Systems, two of the most reliable solar shingle installers in the country based on our research.
Are you interested in learning more about Integrated Solutions Solar? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!