Solar Shingle Roofs: What Do the Pros Think?

Solar roof shingles are all the rage these days regarding renewable energy and creating a greener home. But do they live up to the hype? With other solar options on the market longer, it’s hard to know if these shingles are a flash-in-the-pan or if they’re here to stay. While deciding, find out what the pros think. We’ve gathered some pros and cons from roofing professionals regarding solar roof shingles to help you decide if they’re right for you.

Pros of Solar Roof Shingles

Solar power has many benefits, especially when you integrate it into your home’s power grid. Unlike the bulky solar panels we’re used to seeing, solar shingles have different structure, installation, and benefits. Here are the pros from the pros.

• Money savings and energy efficiency – the only reasons to install any renewable energy product are to save money and use less energy. Solar shingles do just that – they capture energy from the sun and transfer it to your home to reduce your use of costly electricity from the energy company and reduce your reliance on and use of planet-damaging fossil fuels.
• Installation – solar shingle installation is quite different than solar panel installation. Where solar panels require mounting on top of your roof by drilling into the roofing material itself to secure them, solar shingles integrate into the roof material. They replace traditional shingles and often take up only a portion of your roof. Solar roof installers will tell you that shingles are safer for the structure of your roof.
• Curb appeal – Because they sit next to the other shingles on your roof, solar shingles are less pronounced than panels. They have a more pleasing aesthetic and cleaner lines to help maintain the architectural appearance of your home. A roofing company’s goal is to protect your home and ensure it retains its beauty in the process.
• Durability – roofing professionals will tell you that durability is critical regarding roofing materials, and solar options are no exception. The solar shingles shed water better than most asphalt shingles, and can withstand extreme weather, including 130 mph winds, and most come with a class-3 hail rating.
• Extended warranty – most solar shingle manufacturers work with roofing companies to certify them for this type of roofing material installation. Additionally, they provide an extended warranty so you can feel confident in your investment, and your roofing company can feel comfortable selling you a reliable product.

Cons of Solar Roof Shingles

Any trustworthy roofing professional will share the bad news with the good regarding a product they sell and support. That includes solar products. Here are the cons of solar shingles:

• Cost – most solar products are more expensive than their traditional counterparts, and shingles are no exception. The initial cost is often why some homeowners back away from solar energy. The good news with solar shingles is you can save on installation costs by having them installed at the same time as the rest of a new roof. They also significantly lower your energy bills and you can even sell energy back to the power company, which will help them pay for themselves over time.
• Efficiency – because of smaller shingles with less surface area to absorb energy, they yield approximately 23% less energy than panels. With solar shingles, you would sacrifice some efficiency for a more appealing appearance and easier installation.

Solar energy is an incredible way to save money, use less fossil fuel, and help make a cleaner planet. To learn more about solar shingles directly from the pros, contact the experts at Premiere Roofing.