9 Best Solar Shingles

Solar shingles have emerged as a groundbreaking solution in the renewable energy sector. Combining the functionality of traditional roofing materials with solar technology, they offer an efficient and visually appealing alternative to conventional panels. In this blog, we’ll explore the best solar shingles in the market that suit your requirements.

Best Solar Shingles: Revolutionizing Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

Here is the list of the best shingles for solar panels. Take a look below:

1. Tesla Solar Roof

Introducing the Tesla Solar Roof, one of the best solar roof shingles. Back in 2016, Tesla’s co-founder, Elon Musk, announced the exciting news about their innovative roofing product. Fast forward to 2018, and installations for these solar shingles were underway. Even today, Tesla continues to refine and improve the product, currently working on its third version of the Solar Roof.

While it’s true that Tesla wasn’t the first company to introduce the concept of solar shingles, they managed to reignite interest and bring the solar roof idea back into the limelight. The development of solar roofs has been ongoing for some years, but Tesla’s approach revolutionized the industry. Unlike others before them, Tesla’s focus wasn’t just on solar panels integrated into the roof; they aimed to create a roof that is a solar system in itself. This innovative vision set them apart and gave the solar roof concept a new life.

The Tesla Solar Roof is not only technologically advanced but also an attractive option for homeowners. Priced at around $21.85 per square foot, it presents an affordable option for sustainable energy solutions. For a typical house with a 2,000-square-foot roof, the cost would be approximately $44,000.

In terms of design, Tesla offers four distinct styles of solar shingles: Tuscan glass tile, slate glass tile, textured glass tile, and smooth glass tile. Made from durable quartz, these designs add elegance and sophistication to any home.

Tesla’s ambition doesn’t stop at merely being a player in the solar industry. They also aim to make inroads into the roofing industry, redefining how roofs can be both functional and sustainable. With the Tesla Solar Roof, they have brought together renewable energy and aesthetics in a way that hasn’t been achieved before.

To summarize, the Tesla Solar Roof stands at the forefront of solar shingle technology, reinvigorating the market and driving the world towards greener energy solutions. With continued innovations and advancements, Tesla is undoubtedly making a significant impact on both the solar and roofing industries. After from Tesla solar roof, there are also other best solar shingles.

To know if Tesla Solar Roof increases you home value or not, you can click on this link.

2. Luma Solar

Luma Solar, like Tesla, offers a full roof replacement called the Solar Roof. Their product combines non-solar and solar cell components for a uniform appearance, unlike other companies. Additionally, they have standalone PV shingles that can be mixed with regular shingles. Each shingle generates 60 watts using polycrystalline cells.

Luma Solar puts its customers first, offering a 25-year warranty and a 5-year warranty for materials and workmanship. However, like many solar companies, they don’t provide pricing on their website. An estimate for the Solar Roof would be around $4 per watt, considered high-end for premium modules. So, after learning about Luma Solar which produces one of the best solar shingles in the market, let’s take a view at CertainTeed.

Also Read: 3 Best Solar Panel Roof Mounting Systems

3. CertainTeed

CertainTeed is a North American company known for making roofing, insulation, and wallboard products. They offer two solar products called Apollo II and Apollo II Tile. Apollo II is a shingle placed on top of your existing roof, while Apollo II Tile replaces regular tiles, similar to the Tesla Solar Roof.

These Apollo products use monocrystalline silicon solar cells, but they don’t have glass louvers or come in various designs like Tesla Solar Roof. While not as visually appealing as Tesla’s product, Apollo tiles still look better than regular solar panels as they sit flush on your roof.

The Apollo product measures approximately 47 inches by 17 inches and generates 63 watts (STC rating) and 53.5 watts (PTC rating).

As for pricing, CertainTeed doesn’t advertise it, but it’s reported to be around $178 per tile. This means the price per watt is around $2.82. After this, let’s review SunTegra tile and shingle, one of the best solar shingles.

Also See: Solar Shingles Roofing Guide

4. SunTegra Tile and Shingle

SunTegra, a solar products company based in New York, offers two solar roof options: the Shingle and the Tile. The Shingle is placed on top of your existing asphalt shingles, while the Tile replaces concrete tiles. Both are PV-only options, meant to work alongside regular roofing materials.

The SunTegra Shingle is larger than standard asphalt shingles, measuring 52 ⅝ inches by 23 â…› inches. It sits on top of the roof and doesn’t replace existing shingles. The Shingle is low-profile, only ¾ inches high, with an air channel on the back to keep it cool and improve efficiency.

Both the Shingle and Tile use monocrystalline cells and produce 100 to 110 watts at peak output. While pricing isn’t on their website, both products come with a 25-year power warranty and a 10-year product warranty. After learning about this

Also Read: 5 Rooftop Solar Panels Benefits

5. Exasun X-Tile and X-Roof

Exasun, a company from the Netherlands, offers different solar products, including two solar roof options: the X-Tile and the X-Roof.

The Exasun X-Tile looks like a terracotta tile and can replace regular roof tiles. It uses back-contact-on-glass technology and has a high-efficiency rate of 18-18.6%. It’s also designed for quick assembly and delivers 4-7% more kWh/kWp (energy output per installed capacity).

As for the Exasun X-Roof, it’s a complete roof replacement system. It consists of small X-Glass panels measuring 60 cm by 82 cm, which are easily mounted with an innovative system. These panels have good ventilation, keeping them cool for optimal performance. The X-Roof is also designed to withstand rain, hail, and extreme weather conditions. These are among the best solar roof shingles in the market.

Also Read: 13 Common Problems With Solar Panels On Roofs

6. Hanenergy HanTile

Hanenergy, a solar company from San Francisco, focuses on thin-film solar technology. Their HanTile product aims to mimic the appearance of dark terracotta roofing tiles while integrating thin-film PV. Although limited details are available now, Hanenergy plans to offer a 25-year warranty for their HanTile product line.

Also See: 5 Best Sunpower Solar Panels

7. Forward Solar Shingles

Forward, a growing startup has made a significant impact in the solar shingles market. They offer a unique and sleek solar solution called Forward Metal Solar Roof. This product integrates solar cells into a shining metal standing seam roof, matching the classic American home aesthetic. It comes in 8 different colors to suit various preferences.

The Forward Metal Solar Roof is both cost-effective and efficient, producing a great amount of clean energy. The non-solar parts cost around $9.75 per square foot, and the solar parts cost about $3.75 per watt, making it competitive compared to other brands. It also comes with a 30-year weatherization warranty.

With an energy density of 19 watts per square foot, this product ensures excellent thermal performance through a passive ventilation system that optimizes heat dissipation and airflow between shingles and the roof deck. The design is reliable, robust, and long-lasting, capable of withstanding powerful forces.

Forward is one of the few brands offering a solar-roof integrated solution based on metal standing seam roof type, making it suitable for various buildings, including homes, garages, barns, and industrial roofs. This company truly offers some of the best shingles for solar panels.

Also Read: Unveiling Solar Shingles Pros and Cons: A Comprehensive Analysis

8. Timberline Solar by GAF Energy

Timberline Solar by GAF Energy, one of the best solar roof shingles, offers solar energy shingles that are easy to install. These shingles replace your roof and provide solar power. This makes the overall cost higher, but you get both a new energy-efficient roof and solar technology. The shingles are waterproof and the largest single-unit shingle, able to withstand winds up to 110 mph. They come with a 25-year warranty.

GAF Energy, the company behind Timberline Solar, is based in California and was founded in 2019. To purchase these solar shingles, you can submit a request on the GAF Energy website.

Note: All the prices mentioned here are approximate and may change over time. Before purchasing, always check for the current prices on the official websites.

Also See: 6 Top Solar Racking Manufacturers

9. RGS POWERHOUSE 3.0

The POWERHOUSE 3.0 is a solar shingle product that was originally created by Dow Chemical but later acquired by RGS Energy. RGS made a change to use more efficient monocrystalline cells instead of thin-film technology.

Similar to CertainTeed Apollo II Tile, POWERHOUSE is a roofing shingle that replaces regular asphalt shingles. Each shingle is 41.6 inches by 31.5 inches and generates 60 watts with an efficiency of 17.1%.

Unlike Tesla Solar Roof, POWERHOUSE comes in one all-black design, making the solar cells visible from above but not noticeable from street level.

The price for a 6 kW system, including labor and materials, is approximately $3.30 per watt, according to RGS Energy’s press release. They also offer a 24-year power production warranty and an 11-year product workmanship warranty for their shingles.

After learning all about the best shingles for solar panels, let’s go through a short guide that will help you select the best solar shingles.

Also See: 22 Best Solar Products For Everyday Life

How to Find the Best Solar Shingles

In 2023, finding the best solar shingles might be a bit challenging since they are not as common as regular solar panels. However, here are some key features to consider when comparing different options:

• Aesthetics: Solar shingles blend in with your roof and look like regular roofing material, making them less noticeable.
• Installation: Solar shingles can be easier to get approved by Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) due to their discreet appearance. They may also have quicker installation as they don’t require additional racking equipment.
• Savings: With solar shingles, you can save on electricity bills and possibly qualify for a 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit. You may also be eligible for state solar incentives, net metering, and renewable energy credits (RECs). Note that solar shingles are not commonly available for leasing or power purchase agreements (PPA).
• Value: Having solar shingles or tiles can increase the value of your property.
• Materials: Solar shingles come in two types – monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline shingles are more efficient.
• Warranty: Standard solar warranties typically last for 25 years.

By considering these factors, you can find the best solar shingles that suit your needs and provide clean energy for your home.

To sum up, solar shingles offer a great option for homeowners and businesses seeking sustainable energy solutions without compromising on aesthetics. Before you opt for the best product, consider your budget and specific needs. For more amazing reviews, keep scrolling through our blogs.

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