Why install solar panels on your roof, when you can make your roof tiles solar panels? It’s a futuristic and aesthetically pleasing option for homeowners who need a new roof or are building a new home entirely.
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In this article, we’ll take a quick look at some of the features of solar roof tiles — including their biggest benefits and drawbacks — and the top brands on the market today.
What Are Solar Shingles?
Solar shingles are thin photovoltaic (PV) sheets that can replace or lay on top of existing roof shingles. The technology, also known as solar roof tiles, was pioneered by Dow Chemical and further innovated by Tesla. A solar shingle is meant to provide homeowners with an affordable, aesthetically pleasing solar energy panel that doubles as a weatherproof, protective roof shingle.
Solar Roof Tile Features
Solar shingles are functionally similar to solar panels, with the primary goal of converting sunlight into electricity. However, solar shingles have several distinct and noteworthy features.
Solar Shingle Size
Solar shingles are smaller than traditional solar panels and are comparable to traditional roofing shingles. The average solar shingle is about 12 inches wide by 86 inches long. A solar shingle array weighs about 13 pounds per square foot. The tiles are typically less than an inch thick, and a standard solar roof installation is approximately 350 tiles.
Solar Shingle Materials
Many PV shingles are thin-film solar cells (TFSC) made from copper indium gallium selenide, a semiconductor that allows the cells to be thin and flexible. This material is said to have one of the highest conversion efficiency rates, an average of about 10–12 percent. Other brands use monocrystalline silicon (mono-Si), a natural semiconductor used in making computer chips. Mono-Si cells have an average 15–20 percent efficiency rate but are generally more expensive.
Solar Shingle Power Output
Depending on the brand and type of shingle you purchase, power generated by your solar shingles will vary. Most shingles produce between 13 and 63 watts. According to some estimates, 350 tiles can reduce the average utility bill by 40 to 70 percent. All systems require an energy inverter kit to harness the power captured by the cells, power systems, dive deeper into technical details and teach you more about solar energy.
Solar Shingles vs. Solar Panels
Although solar shingles and traditional solar panels perform the same function, each system has differences that come with pros and cons.
Major Differences
Aesthetics is the most prominent difference between a solar shingle and a solar panel. Solar panels are often bulky, unseemly additions to your roof, whereas solar shingles can perfectly blend into the existing roof design.
Installation is another big difference. Solar panels can be installed on nearly any roof, so long as it’s in good condition and gets adequate sunlight. In comparison, some solar shingles, like Tesla’s, require you to build a new roof.
Longevity
Longevity is among the more complicated comparisons with solar panels vs. solar shingles. A solar panel will typically maintain high energy efficiency for 20-25 years. Solar shingle longevity is dependent on the manufacturer and the installer. For instance, Tesla’s solar roof shingles come with a 30-year power warranty and a durability warranty for the lifetime of your home. Other solar shingle providers, such as RGS Energy and its Powerhouse platform (adopted from Dow Chemical’s design), offer a 24-year energy production warranty.
Solar Roof Tile Pros
While the idea of saving the planet — as well as some money on your power bill — might be reason enough to purchase solar shingles, there are some notable benefits and disadvantages to consider before you install. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you re-shingle your home with PV cells.
Sleek Appearance
One of the main benefits of a solar shingle system compared to solar panels is the potential aesthetic appeal. Solar panels can be bulky and noticeably stick out from rooftops, while tiles are designed to match the existing roofing. Although solar shingles may not match all roofing exactly, they do blend in, creating a sleek, level appearance.
Money Savings
Scientific American reports that solar shingles could lower monthly electricity bills by about 50 percent. Plus, residents who install Energy Star–approved solar-power systems before the end of the year will be able to put 30 percent of installment costs toward tax payment due.
Solar Shingle Cons
Although the solar shingle has discernable benefits compared to traditional solar panels, the technology is still new and relatively unrefined and has kinks to work out.
Lower Efficiency
Solar shingles may be less efficient than solar panels, especially if you use thin-film solar cells. Keep in mind that solar panels can also be adjusted to the best angle for sunlight exposure, but shingles cannot. This means you may need more shingles to achieve the same energy output, increasing your total cost.
Long Installation Time
Among the biggest drawbacks to installing solar roof shingles is how much time it takes to install a solar shingle system compared to the average solar panel array. Despite technological innovations, a large solar roof installation can take up to a week, even longer if you’re rebuilding your roof for an embedded system like Tesla’s. In comparison, most standard solar panel systems are installed in a single day.
Cost to Install Solar Shingles
The cost of a solar shingle system varies greatly with your home’s square footage, energy needs, shingle manufacturer and the solar installer. Some systems, such as RGS Powerhouse, may only run $15,000, whereas Tesla’s solar roof can cost upward of $70,000. We recommend requesting a free quote to get an accurate estimate for how much it would cost you to install solar tiles.
Best Solar Shingle Brands
The solar shingle industry is still in its fledgling stages, so there are not many options for consumers to explore. Most companies offering solar shingles today use one of two brands that have established themselves as leaders in the solar industry.
If you’re interested in seeing if a normal solar panel system is a good fit for your home, explore our list of best solar power companies and discover what installer fits your needs.
Tesla Solar Roof
Tesla launched its solar roof tile in after acquiring SolarCity for $2.6 billion. SolarCity as a residential and commercial solar installer that offered solar leases. Since the acquisition and merger with Tesla, the company has focused on traditional solar panels and their futuristic solar roof product.
Tesla’s Solar Roof is the elite solar roof offering on the market. It’s the biggest brand with the shiniest extras including Tesla’s own Powerwall battery and monitoring app for iPhone and Android.
Tesla Solar Roof Pros
- Tesla manages the whole project, from design to installation of the new roof, including the removal of the existing one
- Tesla’s 30-year warranty ensures you will maintain efficiency over your payback period
- Looks fantastic. The two available tile types let you choose from a futuristic glass roof, or blend in with a textured tile
- High brag factor. Tesla only recently began building solar roofs on residential homes. You might become internet famous or known around town for your solar roof
- The tiles are made from tempered glass and are more resilient than traditional roofing materials
- The smartphone app informs you about energy usage and battery storage
Tesla Solar Roof Cons
- Tesla is one of the most expensive options for a solar-powered roof. Including the price of Powerwall batteries, your home might cost $50,000 to $100,000 to cover in PV roof tiles
- Can take 2 weeks to install. Traditional installations take up to three days
- Clay and Slate mimic tiles are still in development and are not on the market as of writing
- Maximum output is around 10kW for their largest installations. Don’t plan on selling surplus energy to the grid to recoup costs
- You will need a second or third Powerwall battery if you drive an electric vehicle and want to charge it with the solar roof
- You need to remove your existing roof and throw it away. If you don’t need an immediate roof replacement, Tesla’s solar roof is wasteful
Recommendation
Unless you’re building a new house, reconstructing your roof, or you’re a Silicon Valley mogul, installing Tesla’s solar shingle may not be the best solar solution for you. It’s much more expensive than mounting solar panels to your existing roof, and a lot of what you’re paying for is the Tesla brand and a technology that hasn’t matured yet.
If you’re still dead set on getting a solar roof, contact us for a free solar quote. Our solar experts will help you get the best deal on a new solar panel system.
RGS Energy
Dow has been a leader in solar energy innovation since . The company recently departed the solar industry but before leaving, graced us with the Powerhouse solar shingle, which RGS Energy took under its wing. Powerhouse is the company’s official solar shingle system, and it comes with a solar monitoring system to show how much energy your system is producing at any time.
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For more information, please visit solar roof tiles manufacturers.
We don’t have any pros or cons for RGS Energy or Powerhouse at this time.
CertainTeed
CertainTeed is known for building sustainable structures. Along with conventional roofing, the company specializes in manufacturing Apollo II solar roof tiles. These shingles can withstand 250 pounds per square foot and winds up to 150 miles per hour.
We don’t have any pros or cons for CertainTeed or Apollo II at this time.
Next Steps
A solar roof tile system may not be right for everyone, but the advantages are clear. Whether you’re interested in saving the planet or just saving money, solar shingles can be a smart investment for anyone.
Australia is well and truly the sunburnt country, particularly here in Brisbane, with abundant clear skies perfect for solar. In fact, Queenslanders are leading the way in adopting solar technology, with 40% of homes in QLD and SA alone having solar. It’s this combination of plentiful sun and rising energy prices, that create a huge opportunity for Australians to continue embracing solar. If you’re looking to make the move to solar, you’ll know roof panels are long established and well known, but what about the newest technology - Solar Roof Tiles? If you’re looking for a non-obtrusive way to bring solar energy into your home then solar roof tiles could be for you. This blog will explore everything you need to know about this emerging technology.
Solar roof tiles explained
What are solar roof tiles?
Put simply, they’re like traditional roof tiles, but capable of collecting solar energy. Dig a little deeper however, and you’ll see how clever they are. What makes them so smart is the fact that they don't require mounting on top of a roof, they actually integrate within a tiled roof giving them the technical classification of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). Functionally, this means you can cover more of your roof with solar panels, and aesthetically they fit in seamlessly with your home.
Now, contrary to what you might be thinking, solar roof tiles don’t need to take over your entire roof. The ingenious thing about the product is that by their nature they can slot in seamlessly to a tiled roof. As much or as little as needed. So, depending on your location, budget and energy goals you can create the perfect solar setup for your home.
How they work
How Solar Roof Tiles Work
Just like traditional solar panels, solar roof tiles capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. As with any solar installation, there are other components required. A solar setup of any size needs these three components:
- Solar Roof Tiles - to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity.
- Solar Inverter - to convert the captured solar energy into usable electricity which can flow through your home. The Inverter you choose can have arguably the most significant impact on how well your system performs so choose wisely.
- Battery storage - does exactly what it says on the tin. A battery will store excess electricity for use later on.
When it comes to sunlight capture, not all roofs are made equal. Like any purchase, you will get what you pay for. Broadly speaking there are three types of solar panel technology to look out for - monocrystalline (efficient and expensive), polycrystalline (still efficient but less expensive) and thin film (inexpensive solution).
Most solar roof tile manufacturers use monocrystalline technology which is the most efficient of the three, but also the most expensive. Interestingly, Tesla recently launched a new solar roof tile which actually has the capability, via a thin coloured film on each tile, to blend in with the other tiles on a roof. If you’re willing to pay for the privilege of course. But, more on the cost of tiles later.
Water and weather resistance
Unlike solar roof panels that are installed on top of a roof, solar roof tiles integrate within a roof. But there’s a catch - almost every manufacturer requires you to install their own traditional tiles alongside the solar tiles. This is to ensure a snug and safe and watertight installation. Solar roof tile manufacturers will have their own specific set of installation requirements, so look at them closely when choosing. If installed correctly, water ingress should not be an issue.
On a side note, should you find yourself on the roof of your home, you can walk on the solar roof tiles. All solar roof tiles are rated for high weather performance and can withstand weight better than other roofing materials like Colourbond or traditional tiles.
Maintaining a solar roof for top performance
Cleaning and maintenance of your solar roof tiles
As with any solar technology, you’ll need to look after your investment to ensure it keeps producing electricity for your home. To maintain efficiency of your solar roof tiles, they should be kept clear of debris (fallen branches, dust etc) and kept moderately clean. The good news is, unless you’re in a dry, dusty environment, rain will usually be just fine to keep your tiles performing well. If you do need to clean them, we do not advise climbing on the roof - simply hose your roof down from the ground.
The second element is maintenance. As with most technology, solar systems benefit from servicing to make sure everything is performing well, so consider having your provider service your solar roof installation once every 5 years.
Take a closer look at living with solar roof tiles in this short video. YouTuber Alex Flack reviews Tesla Roof Tiles after one year and answers his most frequently asked questions.
Comparing your choices
Solar Roof Tiles versus Solar Panels
There’s a lot of information out there, so here’s a quick overview of the key differences between solar panels and solar roof tiles.
What to consider when choosing solar roof tiles.
There’s a lot to think about when deciding whether solar roof tiles are right for your home. Now, knowing the basics of what they are and how they work, you’re equipped to make a more informed decision. If you’re looking to explore further, these are the critical factors to consider to avoid common mistakes when looking at Solar Roof tiles.
- Cost - it goes without saying the biggest factor is clearly the cost of installation. Solar tiles can cost more than double the price of traditional solar panels, which ultimately means they will take longer to deliver a return on investment.
- Aesthetics - traditional solar panels and solar roof tiles perform the same function, with very similar technology. The biggest difference is how they are integrated with your roof. Consider solar roof tiles if the visual appeal of your home is an important factor.
- Installation - solar roof tiles do take longer to install than panels, so set aside plenty of time for the installation. The other thing to consider is that in some instances a roof may not align to the sun correctly, or the roof may be the wrong shape size for traditional solar panels. Roof tiles can be a solution in such cases.
Durability - where solar panels are installed on top of a roof, solar tiles are integrated within the roof. This means the product is more durable in extreme weather conditions such as high wind, and shouldn’t experience water ingress issues. Consider your environment and weather conditions when deciding if solar roof tiles are the right option. - Comparative output - solar tiles due to their size and design don’t capture as much energy as a solar panel (think one single panel with no wasted space, versus several small tiles interlocking and overlapping). Solar panels can generate up to 30% more energy per square metre versus tiles. So, consider the balance between aesthetics, performance carefully - especially when looking at performance degradation over time.
Conclusions
Solar tiles are an exciting emerging technology, with the potential to transform the market. However, there are plenty of trade-offs to consider when comparing solar roof tiles against solar panels. While many benefits and performance measures are the same or similar, the critical difference to consider is cost and when you’ll see a return on your investment. With roof tiles costing as much as 4x the amount of traditional solar panels, you’ll need to decide if the aesthetic benefits outweigh the potentially prohibitive costs.
Nonetheless, with a basic understanding of what they are and how they work, you’re now equipped to investigate further and ask the right questions of providers. Our team has over a decades experience installing solar for homes across Brisbane, so If you’d like to explore solar further, get in touch. We’d love to help you on your journey.
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