Solar Shingles Vs Solar Panels

When people first hear about solar shingles, they often wonder which one is better: solar panels or solar shingles. Introduced in 2005, solar shingles were created by the company Tesla, and up until recently, they were not available for homes. Today, switching over to solar is a big decision for homeowners. Here are some of the top questions that we have encountered regarding solar shingles and solar panels. Each of these options will have both good and bad points that you need to consider.

What Exactly Are Solar Shingles?

Essentially, a solar shingle is a very small solar panel that can be affixed to the roof of your home. They are sometimes referred to as materials for a solar roof or even solar tiles. They are going to produce electricity in a similar way to a solar panel, using the built-in photovoltaic system. These will need to be directly connected to what is called an inverter, allowing the user to utilize the electricity whether they are on the grid or not.

Which Ones Are More Expensive?

Since their release back in 2011 for public installations, the cost has gone down significantly. Roughly, you can expect to pay 50% of the cost that they were available for initially. However, when compared to solar panels, they are still going to be much more expensive. The company Tesla estimates that you will pay just over $21 a square foot for their installation. An example would be reroofing your house, perhaps a 1700 square-foot home, and this cost would be just over $36,000 which is not including the cost of installation. You can reduce the overall cost by taking advantage of federal tax incentives and rebates. Tesla does offer solar roofing quotes if you are interested.

By comparison, or contrast, solar panels can cost as little as $10,000 for a similar job, or as much as $40,000 depending upon the quality of the solar panel. Therefore, when you are making a decision between solar panels or solar roofing materials, the less expensive option will always be solar panels. This is a factor that you will likely consider before making your decision.

Tesla Solar Shingle Benefits In 2022

Improve Your Overall Home Value

If you are going to renovate your home, and you would like to use a new solar system to produce electricity, the installation of the system will increase your home's value. This is true whether you install solar panels or solar shingles. If a home does have a PV system installed, it tends to sell much faster. It's a benefit to the new owner simply because they do not have to pay for the cost of obtaining one of these systems.

Increased lifespan

According to Tesla, solar shingles are going to last about 30 years. Solar panels, on the other hand, will last 5 to 10 years less. Although, this is potentially a premature indicator because they have not been on the market for that long.

Environmental Impacts

Whether you decide to go with solar panels or solar tiles, it's a decision that can certainly help the environment. More people than ever before are switching to solar energy, and in doing so, fewer fossil fuels will be used. This trend, if it continues, will lead to a perpetual benefit for the environment.

A More Polished Appearance

Solar shingles do have a much more modern appearance when you compare them to solar panels. In fact, Tesla has designed their solar shingles to blend perfectly with your roof. They are literally inconspicuous, looking almost identical to asphalt shingles. If you want to have solar panels installed, solar shingles might be the better option. They come in different colors, including blue and black, so that you can choose the one that works best for the color of your home. These are different from regular solar panels in this way, and Tesla is going to add more colors over time.

Are There Any Disadvantages To Solar Shingles?

Slow Installation Procedures

It is because these are so new that they can be quite time-consuming to install, especially if a contractor has never done this before. Therefore, it could take much longer to install solar shingles by comparison to solar panels.

They Are More Expensive

Most people wonder which one would be the most expensive option. This is certainly solar shingles. If you are replacing the roof, however, this would be the better option. However, if you are not replacing your roof, and you just want to reduce your overall energy costs, solar panels might be the best option.

Lower Productivity Levels

When solar shingles are installed, they are designed to match the angle or slope of your roof. In some circumstances, certain areas may not get as much sunlight, and this can lead to decreased efficiency levels. Solar panels, on the other hand, can catch the light more easily. Solar panels will also not interfere with your roofing materials.

Limited Amounts Of Mobility

If you compare solar shingles to solar panels, it is obviously much easier to move solar panels. If you do install solar tiles, they will likely remain with the home that you are selling.

High Failure Rates

When you have so many different components working together, such as hundreds of solar shingles, problems are going to arise. You will need to replace each shingle that fails. It is for this reason that solar shingles, compared to solar panels, tend to have a perceived higher failure rate.

Our Solar Shingles The Right Choice For Me?

What you will now want to do is consider the benefits and the total cost of each project. Due to technological advancements, solar tiles could be the best option. A solar roof today is much more popular than it was years ago. Solar panels, however, would be the optimal choice if you want to save money. Whatever option you choose, you will still be able to produce more electricity for your business or home using either of these options.