Solar Panels vs Solar Shingles: Which Should You Choose?

Solar Panels vs Solar Shingles: Which Should You Choose?

With solar shingle technology gaining traction in recent years, combining the practicality of roofing with the power of solar energy, it’s no wonder homeowners are turning to this sleek, aesthetic alternative to traditional solar panels.

However, there’s still plenty of merit in choosing solar panels. After all, they’ve been around for some time and have a proven track record in efficiency and energy production.

So, should you stick with the “don’t fix what isn’t broken” approach and opt for traditional solar panels, or should you jump on the solar shingle bandwagon?

In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between solar panels and solar shingles to help you make the best decision for your home, budget, and energy goals.

Solar Panels vs Solar Shingles Overview

Here are the key takeaways from this comparison:

• Factoring in installation and roof replacement, solar panels can still be up to 75% cheaper than solar shingles.
• Solar panels offer higher efficiency (19%-23% vs. under 20% for shingles) and greater energy production per square foot.
• Apart from aesthetics and clean look, homeowners choose solar shingles for their ability to fit on complex roofs.

If you want a quick overview, here’s a table summary comparing the two systems:

Solar Shingles vs Solar Panels In-Depth Comparison

Let’s take a deeper look into the key areas where solar shingles and solar panels differ.

Conversion Efficiency

Conversion efficiency refers to the percentage of sunlight a panel or shingle can convert into usable electricity.

Most solar panels fall between 19% to 23% efficiency, with high-end models hitting the upper end of that range. Solar shingles, however, typically have an efficiency of less than 20%.

Why the difference?

Since solar shingles are integrated directly into the roof, they don’t have the same space for airflow or heat dissipation as raised solar panels. This lack of ventilation causes them to absorb more heat, which reduces their efficiency.

Energy Production

Energy production refers to how much electricity a solar system can generate from sunlight.

Let’s take GAF’s solar shingles and compare them with traditional solar panels.

GAF solar shingles are compact, each covering 3.15 square feet and generating 45 watts of electricity. By comparison, a standard solar panel, measuring 18 square feet

(6 feet by 3 feet), is much larger and more powerful, producing around 400 watts.

For a typical 6 kW solar system – let’s assume that’s the size you need for your home – you’d need roughly 420 square feet (6000 x [3.15/45]) of roof space using GAF solar shingles.

To achieve the same 6 kW system with traditional solar panels, you’d only need about 270 square feet (6000 x [18/400]) of roof space.

That said, solar panels generate more electricity per square foot, a good choice especially if you have limited roof space.

Cost

A 10 kW solar panel system typically costs between $21,000 to $36,000 upfront. Now, compare that to GAF solar shingles, which can range from $40,000 to $100,000 for the same system size.

That said, why would anyone opt for solar shingles, given the price difference?

With solar shingles, you can combine roofing and solar power into one large solar roof system. At a glance, this option makes sense if you’re replacing an old or damaged roof, or building a new one.

But does this combination actually save you money compared to installing traditional roofing and solar panels separately? Let’s do the math.

Adding the average cost of roof replacement in the U.S. ($21,000) to the upper end of solar panel costs ($36,000) gives a total of $57,000 – still far less than the upper range of a solar shingle installation at $100,000.

In fact, one experiment found that a roof made entirely of solar shingles was about $20,000 more expensive than the traditional choice of solar panels on metal roof.

Durability

Durability and lifespan largely depend on factors like local climate, maintenance practices, and weather conditions. But as a good benchmark, we can look at the solar warranty lengths that manufacturers typically offer.

Solar shingles come with warranties ranging from 20 to 25 years, which is also the case for solar panels. However, some solar panel warranties do extend up to 30 years.

It’s fair to say that both solar panels and shingles are similarly durable, with nearly identical expected lifespans.

Aesthetics

As mentioned earlier, solar shingles integrate smoothly with your roof, making them nearly indistinguishable from regular shingles at a distance.

They provide a clean and uniform look – you might not even realize a solar shingle roof is a solar energy system at first glance.

On the other hand, solar panels “pop off” like embellishments on your roof. They don’t offer the same smoothness but that doesn’t mean they’re aesthetically inferior.

In fact, many homeowners we’ve had the chance to meet told us they actually prefer the more traditional, industrial look of solar panels. At the end of the day, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Compatibility with Roof Type/Condition

For simple, flat roofs with no obstructions, installing solar panels is straightforward. You can simply fit/place the panel’s rectangular frame on the roof.

However, if you have a roof with many irregularities, multiple slopes, or obstructions (e.g. chimneys, dormers), laying these rectangular panels can be difficult. You’ll need to place them in scattered areas, which can lead to suboptimal positioning and reduced energy production.

Solar shingles, on the other hand, are more adaptable. Their smaller size allows you to fit them into areas with curves or multiple angles, or in spaces where traditional panels can’t be placed.

Installation & Maintenance

Now, we’re not going to dive into the step-by-step installation process itself, but rather focus on the practical aspects of installation, maintenance, and repairs – such as coordination, timing, and logistics.

Remember, with solar shingles, you’re essentially combining roofing and solar energy into one product, which adds a layer of complexity to the installation process.

Moreover, there are only a few qualified installers available (this technology is relatively new), and you could be looking at months of waiting time before anyone comes in to work on the installation or maintenance…

So, imagine you’ve built your new house, with the walls up and everything else ready, but your solar roof is yet to be placed with no clear timeline in sight – a major setback.

On the other hand, traditional solar panels have been around for years and have a much larger market.

So, whether it’s installation, maintenance, or repairs, you can easily call up an installer and expect faster response times. Not to mention, services are often offered at very competitive prices.

Are there any tax incentives or rebates available for installing either option?

Yes, both solar panels and solar shingles can qualify for tax incentives and rebates in the U.S.

One of the biggest incentives you can take advantage of is the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC). Say, your solar system costs $20,000, you could claim $6,000 back when filing your taxes.

Note that this only applies if you own your solar system, either by purchasing it outright or financing it – not if you’re on a solar panel contract like solar leases or PPAs.

You can also benefit from net metering arrangements where you earn credits for the extra electricity your system generates and sends back to the grid, as well as Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), where you earn extra income for the energy your system generates.

Should I choose solar panels or solar shingles?

If you’re still wondering whether solar shingles are better than solar panels, or vice versa, always remember that the answer comes down to which features you value most from the key areas we’ve discussed earlier.

Choose solar shingles if:

• Aesthetics really matter to you, and you want a clean, uniform look for your roof.
• You have a complex roof design that makes it impossible to install rectangular solar panels.
• You’re okay with spending a lot more upfront.

Choose solar panels if:

• You want the most energy for your money (solar panels generate more power per square foot).
• You want faster installation and maintenance (there’s a larger pool of solar panel installers available versus solar shingles).
• You’re on a tighter budget.

That said, if you’re leaning toward solar panels, don’t just settle for the first quote you get. Take the time to compare several offers, so you’re confident you’re getting a fair deal and not overpaying.

At Quote for Solar, we make this easy for you. Instead of handling multiple calls and emails from different installers, simply send us a single quote request, and we’ll provide you with three competitive estimates from trusted solar panel installers near you.

Each installer we connect you with is pre-screened to meet our high standards, so you can make your decision with peace of mind.

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Jan Watermann Co-Founder, Quote for Solar