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Solar shingles are an innovative alternative to traditional solar panels. They integrate photovoltaic technology directly into roofing materials, generate electricity from sunlight, and function as a protective roof covering. They offer a sleek and modern solution for homeowners embracing renewable energy.
However, they have unique advantages and drawbacks that depend on your home’s needs, roof design, and budget. This guide explores the differences between solar shingles and panels, their efficiency, costs, and suitability for various applications, helping you make an informed decision. Let’s get started.
What Are Solar Shingles?
Solar shingles are roofing shingles like your traditional asphalt, but they’re made of photovoltaic (PV) cells, just like conventional solar panels. They’re a product you can use in place of some or all of the asphalt shingles on traditional roofs, offering the same protection for your home as asphalt but working to generate electricity at the same time.
How Do Solar Shingles Work?
Solar shingles, also called photovoltaic shingles or photovoltaic roofing tiles, work much like solar panels. When sunlight shines on them, the photons of light interact with the semiconductor materials within the PV cells to release electrons that flow in one direction as DC electricity.
This is known as the photovoltaic effect. That DC electricity then goes through an inverter to convert it from DC into the AC electricity that your home and most of your devices and appliances need to run.
Solar Shingle Pros and Cons
Like everything in life, PV shingles have pros and cons. The most important factors depend on personal preference, home, roof style and orientation, budget, and other considerations. Research your options thoroughly to decide which product is best for you.
Pros
- One major advantage is that they can be cost-effective when building new roofs as they act as both a roofing solution and a solar energy system.
- Many homeowners find them aesthetically pleasing since they’re used in place of regular asphalt roofing.
- If you need to replace your roof or install a new one, this can significantly help reduce your carbon footprint. Since they generate electricity via sunlight, you might be eligible for solar tax credits and incentives.
- Like photovoltaic panels, they can also increase the value of your home if you decide to sell it.
Cons
- One major disadvantage is that they’re not the most efficient photovoltaic products, so you need more of them to generate enough power. This means photovoltaic panels use significantly less space than PV roofing tiles to generate the same amount of power.
- Another issue is that they cannot be repositioned as the sun moves throughout the day or the seasons to increase that efficiency. Instead, they must be installed flat, as you would with traditional asphalt roofing.
- They’re also newer technology, so they are not as well-tested as panels. Another issue is that they are not cost-effective unless you’re building a new roof since they have a much higher purchase cost than PV panels.
- Also, you have limited style options, and they’re not suitable for all roofs.
- You can’t take them with you if you decide to move unless you replace them with asphalt at considerable expense. Finally, they also typically require expert installation; while experts best install photovoltaic panels, you can DIY solar panel installations.
What Are the Different Types of Solar Shingles?
Two main types of PV roofing tiles are made based on the different semiconductors they use to generate electric currents.
Silicon Solar Shingles
Silicon semiconductors are used in traditional PV panels, but here, they’re made into shingles that resemble asphalt shingles we can use for roofing. They’re more rigid and fit best with conventional roofing materials.
CIGS Solar Shingles
Copper-indium-gallium-selenide, or CIGS, is a system that uses thin-film technology to generate electricity. These products have the advantage of being lighter and more flexible to apply to curved surfaces or other unusual situations but typically have lower efficiency.
How Much Does It Cost To Install Solar Shingles?
The cost can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the system and your roof, the complexity of the installation, any roofing repairs or preparation that need to be done, and where you live.
While most of those factors also affect PV panel cost, since photovoltaic shingles require removing old roofs or installing a completely new one, the installation cost will always be considerably higher than that of panels.
For instance, a small 4kW PV roofing system in the UK might cost between £12,000 and £16,200. If you want to do your entire roof, that generally costs between £40,000 and £60,000. In comparison, the equivalent 4kW system in panels would only cost about £6,000 to £8,000, making them a much more affordable alternative.
Solar Shingles vs. Solar Panels: What’s the Difference?
There are some significant differences between these two products. We’ll explore them below.
Efficiency
PV shingles are not as efficient, especially those that use thin-film technology. They generally have efficiency ratings of 10 to 20%, with most operating in the average 14 to 18% range. However, that optimum efficiency can be significantly reduced depending on the orientation and angle of your roof. Since you must mount them just as you would asphalt roofing, you can’t optimise the angle to get the most peak sunlight hours.
You also can’t adjust them during the day or in different seasons like panels can; depending on orientation and angle, this could make them rather inefficient. Even more efficient ones that operate up to 20% still cannot match panels because there is no airflow beneath them, resulting in a build-up of heat and reduced energy production.
On the other hand, EcoFlow Solar Panels are highly efficient; at 22-25% conversion efficiency, they operate at industry-best standards for residential systems. Since air can flow beneath them, you won’t experience heat-related losses.
You can also mount them at the optimum angle for direct sunlight. In tricky situations dealing with shade or physical obstructions, you can install a mounting system that can be adjusted throughout the day to optimise incoming light.
The same goes for seasonal changes; you may be able to adjust the angle to get better output as the sun dips lower in the sky during the winter months.
Price
A PV panel is considerably more cost-effective than PV shingles in large part because the latter is a much newer technology. So even though they are less efficient, they cost more. That lower efficiency means they generate less power, so your energy savings will also be lower. Also, you would need to replace your roof at considerable expense.
However, if you are replacing an old one anyway, PV shingles might be slightly more cost-effective than paying for both a new roof and a separate photovoltaic panel system.
Generally, PV roofing tiles typically cost about twice as much as traditional panels for the equivalent amount of energy production, making panels a better choice for those on a limited budget who want to get into renewable energy options.
Installation
Solar tiles are installed as part of a roof instead of traditional roofing materials. This means the entire roof must be removed. While some newer products entering the market don’t require the removal of entire roofs and are installed more like panels, you still have to purchase them at a higher cost and end up with a less efficient product. Therefore, photovoltaic shingles are not ideal if you don’t want to replace your roof.
You also can’t adjust the angle like traditional photovoltaics since the roofing materials have to be applied flat regardless of your roof’s pitch, which is rarely optimised for energy production.
Panels are installed on top of existing roofs, making the installation easier and cheaper. They are the best choice when you do not want to remove your existing roof. They can also be installed at any angle necessary to achieve maximum solar output.
Versatility
Solar panels offer a much more versatile solution. For instance, EcoFlow Rigid Solar Panels can be installed on virtually any roof. If your roof is too old or unsuitable, you can also consider ground-mounted options; the EcoFlow 400W Rigid Solar Panel is perfect for roofs or ground-mounted systems.
If you have a shed roof or smaller sections of your home surface you want covered, you can also get smaller EcoFlow 100W Rigid Solar Panels, which offer affordable versatility for any situation. PV shingles, on the other hand, will not work on flat roofs or those with unusual surfaces.
Integration With Batteries
Traditional photovoltaics also win when it comes to easier integration with battery backup. Integration with batteries is essential for those looking for off-grid solutions, reliable backup power during an outage, or optimising their time-of-use tariffs to avoid more expensive peak hours, which rarely coincide with maximum solar output. Without integration with batteries, your system only provides solar power when the sun is shining.
On the other hand, EcoFlow Solar Generators come with a solar battery and photovoltaic panels that seamlessly connect to the battery to recharge it. While PV roofing products can be integrated with battery backup systems, they are generally more complex. They must also be installed separately, requiring additional integration since the PV tiles will not come with them.
Availability
Since PV roofing products are new in the marketplace, they still have limited availability, with fewer manufacturers making them. This limits your options and drives up the price. It also means you will have far fewer roofing styles to choose from.
Maintenance
It’s a tricky territory in terms of maintenance. Some state that PV roofing is more difficult to maintain, while others say traditional photovoltaic panels require more maintenance. In reality, both should require minimal maintenance.
Ensure you wash the surfaces once or twice yearly to remove dust and debris that impacts their performance. When you clean them, check the wires to ensure everything is still well-connected and has not been interfered with by birds or rodents.
Appearance
Some people prefer the look of a PV system that is fully integrated with the roof rather than a separate device attached to it. However, this personal preference will vary widely with the consumer.
Mobility
Since shingles are permanent roof installations, you can’t simply bring them when you move. Panels are designed to be permanent when installed on a roof, but you can still remove them and bring them with you if you decide to move, and you won’t have to replace the entire roof.
Lifespan and Durability
Regarding lifespan, both technologies last about the same 20 to 30 years. Regarding durability, the jury’s out on this one. Still, PV panels have been tried and tested and are known to be durable for decades. They’re also much easier to replace if they are damaged by severe weather or they are found to be faulty.
PV tiles are part of your permanent roof, so replacing damaged ones becomes costly and technically challenging, making DIY repairs difficult. Still, some manufacturers claim they are even stronger and more durable than standard roofing tiles.
At the same time, consumer opinions vary, with some saying they are more durable and others saying they are less durable. Still, being a relatively new product in the market, only time will tell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is best depends entirely on your situation. Panels are typically much more efficient at generating electricity and are cheaper to install. However, photovoltaic shingles might be a better option if you are rebuilding your roof or installing a new one.
They last about the same as panels, with a lifespan between 20 and 30 years and higher-quality models lasting at least 25 years. However, they are a newer product in the market, so their durability over time is still uncertain.
How many you need depends entirely on your home, the size of your roof, and whether you are covering the entire roof or only part of it. Still, the average home typically needs between 300 and 350 photovoltaic shingles.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re considering photovoltaic shingles or panels, choosing the right solution depends on your energy goals and circumstances. Solar shingles present a stylish and functional way to incorporate renewable energy into your home, especially if you’re building a new roof or replacing an old one.
While they’re less efficient and more expensive than traditional panels, they may appeal to those prioritising aesthetics or those already undertaking significant roofing projects. On the other hand, EcoFlow Rigid Solar Panels offer exceptional efficiency, adaptability, and seamless integration with battery systems for a cost-effective and more versatile solution.