Switching to solar shingles for your roofing has a lot of benefits for you and your home. Aside from being environment-friendly, the tiles also provide cleaner energy, lower power bills, and better property value. If you’re interested in solar roof shingles, here’s a quick primer about the energy-efficient tiles.
What Are Solar Shingles?
Solar shingles, also called solar roof tiles, are compact versions of solar panels structured for roofing purposes. The components are typically installed on top of or as a replacement for asphalt shingle roofs, though newly developed solar tiles also integrate well with concrete, shake, slate, and tile roof types.
Much like conventional asphalt roofing, solar shingles serve as a layer of protection against rain. The difference is that solar shingles convert solar power into electricity, so you get clean and green energy for your home.
Two Types of Solar Shingles
If you want to convert your home’s energy source into solar power, you can choose between traditional silicon solar shingles and the thin-film CIGS solar shingles. Here are the key differences between the two types.
Silicon Solar Shingles
Silicon solar shingles are visually similar to solar panels, and they carry a hard yet thin form. As the framed tiles share the size and shape of standard asphalt shingles, they are installed as either an overlay or a replacement to the conventional roofing type.
CIGS Solar Shingles
Copper indium gallium selenide solar shingles, or CIGS solar shingles for short, uses photovoltaic cells with a thin film to convert solar power into usable energy. Compared to the silicon option, CIGS tiles are lighter and more flexible, which allows the shingles to merge seamlessly with old or new roofing.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Shingles
While beneficial as a whole, solar shingles still have a few drawbacks. The following are the upsides and downsides of switching to solar-powered tiles:
Advantages
- The shingles blend well with existing roofing, which results in a visually sleeker finish.
- Solar roof tiles are heavy-duty and weather-resistant.
- New installations are cost-effective.
- Shingle maintenance is easier compared to solar panels.
Disadvantages
- Solar shingles cost more than solar panels.
- There are limited styles and colors.
- The technology is relatively young, first produced in 2005. For this reason, not every solar manufacturer offers shingles.
- Shingle installation is not possible on every existing roof.
Choose ProNail Roofing and Solar for Quality Shingle Installations
Most homeowners prefer solar shingles due to their sleek look, which meshes well with existing roofing compared to the bulky roof-mounted panels. The tile type also acts as a compromise in communities where homeowners’ associations prohibit residential additions that ruin the uniform aesthetic of the neighborhood.
If you want excellent and reliable service, reach out to certified installers you can trust. Contact ProNail Roofing and Solar and switch to a sustainable energy source today. Our team uses quality shingles from GAF Energy Timberline Solar to provide state-of-the-art shingle installations to your home.
