Solar roofing is likely the next step in the evolution of solar power. It was introduced to the market in 2005, but it remained out of the reach of the average consumer because of its expensive nature. Solar shingle roofs were actually more expensive to install than traditional solar panels, so naturally they got out competed. However, within recent times the cost of solar shingles has seen a dramatic reduction. And because they don’t stick out like traditional solar panels, homeowners are less likely to be turned off by their appearance.
Forget Aesthetics, What Do They Cost?
The typical shingle roof, the most popular roofing in the U.S., cost about the same as other types of roofs to install. In a perfect world solar shingle roofing would have a lower installation cost of a roof plus a solar panel system. After all, what’s the point of being aesthetically pleasing if your price tag makes the alternative more appealing? But we’re not in a perfect world, we live in a world where solar shingles cost often more to install than typical shingle roofs (after tax credits and rebate) to install on a small area of your roof.
All the same some factors like the state you live in, the number of shingles you need or want installed, the slope of your roof, and the brand of solar shingles you choose to install will affect how much you pay.
- The cost of solar shingles vary from state to state so some homeowners will pay more for a solar shingle roofing of the same size than other homeowners who live in another state.
- If you live in a state where there is low sunlight exposure you’ll need to install more solar roof shingles to produce a sufficient amount of power. More shingles mean more out of pocket expense.
- Steeper roofs are more difficult to work on, so solar shingles are more expensive to install on a steep roof than a roof with a moderate slope.
- The cost of solar shingles varies from brand to brand.
It, estimated that the typical solar shingle install, a 350 solar shingle array, produces enough power to reduce monthly electric bills by 40% to 70%. But the problem with solar shingles is that they’re less efficient at producing electricity than traditional solar panels. This means you’ll need more solar shingles to produce the same amount of energy as a solar panel array of a smaller size. And solar shingles have yet another flaw: They can’t be adjusted to maximize exposure to sunlight like solar panels can.
If you’re installing solar panels where there is an existing roof you’ll also need to pay to have the old shingles removed.