Certainteed apollo solar shingles. Durability

Solar Shingles: Turn Your Roof a Power Source (5 Brands)

In the U.S., residential solar installations have been continuously increasing during the last few years, reaching 1GWDC in the Q4 of 2021.

This solar energy adoption is driven by many factors, such as the cutting-edge technologies that are being developed, like instance solar shingles.

Out there in the market, there are many solar shingle manufacturers. To help you decide which brand and product is best for your needs, we chose 4 different solar shingle companies as an alternative to Tesla solar shingles. For each brand, we will check out the products they offer, breaking down their characteristics and more importantly let you know if a solar shingle might be a good match for you.

Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made from our affiliates through links in this article. (Learn )

At are solar shingles and how do they work?

Solar shingles are basically solar cells that convert the sun’s radiation into usable electricity, but also, they work as the roofing material for your home. These roofing solar cells are commonly shaped into shingles or tiles which are seamlessly arranged to provide structural support for the house roof and other types of buildings.

Using solar shingles allows you to have a roof that achieves two functions: generate clean energy and give your home, office or any other of your buildings, an aesthetic look.

Composition/Structure

Solar shingles or tiles are made of solar cells that are commonly manufactured using semiconductor materials, such as monocrystalline silicon and copper-indium-gallium selenide. The cells are assembled in bands or strips to form the shingle or tile shape.

In addition, since solar shingles are quite thin, this allows them to have greater flexibility and be lightweight.

How do solar shingles work?

Solar shingles or tiles perform as roofing material for your home. The main idea is to combine the solar cells with the roof sheathing rather than mounting solar modules on top of the shingles.

Solar shingle’s basic principle works just the same as with conventional solar panels. In other words, the PV cells absorb sunlight in order to produce a flow of free electrons, which results in generating an electrical current that can power electrical equipment. The difference between solar shingles and solar panels is mainly their construction.

Why should you choose solar shingle technology?

In order to help you analyze whether choosing solar shingles for your photovoltaic system is the right option, we summarize and list the pros and cons of having them:

Pros

• Perfect solution for those cases in which a roof replacement is required.
• Elegant and sleek design provides a futuristic look to your roof.
• No obstructions from solar panels will be visible on the roof.
• No external wiring that could be exposed to damage and cause potential hazards.
• No weak spots on the roof from roof penetrations as with conventional solar systems.

Cons

• Higher upfront costs and lower return of investment (ROI) than conventional rooftop solar panels (unless roof is to be replaced).
• Solar shingles generally have less energy efficiency than standard solar modules.
• Few companies perform solar shingle installation.

What is the average cost of solar shingle technologies?

The amount of money you are going to pay for installing solar shingles in your roof is going to depend on your energy usage, the conditions, and age of your roof, the solar shingle manufacturer, and other factors.

However, the cost of going with solar shingles can go anywhere from 20,000 to 70,000 whereas Tesla’s solar roof is generally located in the high-end scenario.

CertainTeed panels: Warranty for everything

Solar panels from CertainTeed have a rather average efficiency that ranges from 18% to 20.5%. Since the panels are designed to be installed on the roof, there aren’t really any high output modules for ground-based installations of a huge scope. The most powerful panel in the CertainTeed product line is 440W.

CertainTeed solar panels are fair and range around

CertainTeed: pros

We’ve explored the specifications of CertainTeed solar modules and listed down the pros and cons of the brand. Now we pass a word to our engineer who’s going to look at the modules that CertainTeed currently ships out and share his opinion with us.

Since CertainTeed is a roofing company, it’s no big surprise that it offers mostly panels of a small and medium output for roof-based systems. Doesn’t make much sense to go for a solar farm with this brand. Solar shingles and solar tiles are great too. They can be a nice option if you have your house built from scratch or consider replacing the roof.

US Series 60-cell solar modules – Solid home choice

This is the simplest panel from CertainTeed, a 60-cell module that provides up to 315W power output. The panel comes protected from Potential Induced Degradation and is ready for all kinds of harsh weather. Very basic design, 3 bypass diodes provide the minimum shading resistance. Overall, a good inexpensive panel, though a bit outdated.

.6 to.8 on average, which is good for American panels – even a little cheaper than the average.

• No high-output modules. The most powerful panel in the CertainTeed product line produces 440 Watts. Therefore, PV modules from CertainTeed are suitable mostly for residential and small/medium commercial systems.
• Average efficiency. Conversion rate isn’t the most impactful metric, but CertainTeed panels certainly lag behind in that regard. The CertainTeed solar panel system is going to take up more space than, say, the one from Canadian Solar.

.6-.8 per Watt. That’s in the middle of the industry price range. The cost of CertainTeed panels is comparable to the product of other NA manufacturers, like Mission Solar or Aptos Solar.

CertainTeed offers one all-encompassing warranty for all the parts of your solar system if you work with CertainTeed solar installer. There is a 25-year warranty for the power output of a system and for its parts: microinverters, optimizers, mounting systems. Inverters receive a 12-year warranty. Workmanship warranty depends on the installer level: credentialed installers provide a 15-year workmanship warranty and Master level installers ensure a 25-year warranty. The product warranty for solar panels isn’t mentioned in the CertainTeed guide, but apparently it lasts for 10 years.

The panels from CertainTeed are well-prepared for extreme weather conditions. Most of them can withstand 5400 Pa wind or snow load. The brand has adopted half-cut cell technology which increases the shading tolerance of the modules. Temperature coefficient is rather high and ranges from.0.36%/°C to 0.42%/°C which means the panels lose around 0.4% for each degree above operating cell temperature – 44°C in this case. Its impact on the performance of your system, however, should be noticeable only if you live in a hot area – Arizona, for instance.

Are Solar Shingles Worth It?

Yes, solar shingles are something to consider if you are an environmentally sustainable person who needs new roofing. Some states mandate that newly constructed homes have solar power capabilities, while others offer attractive federal tax credits for such installations beginning in 2023.

Therefore, this may be the ideal moment to explore the benefits of going solar. However, solar shingles have yet to be there long enough to ascertain their durability and efficiency, unlike solar panels that have been around for a long time. People can estimate their durability and how soon they need to upgrade.

Can you Walk on Solar Shingles?

When equipped with the proper safety harnesses, roofing contractors can safely solar shingles without causing damage to the roofing material. This is because solar shingles are durable and can withstand some foot traffic.

However, the temperatures reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit or above, and the sun shines directly on the roof. This may, in turn, soften the base of the solar shingles, making it fragile.

As a homeowner, it’s strongly recommended that you refrain from walking on your roof to avoid potential harm.

What are the Drawbacks of Solar Shingles?

expensive Than Traditional Roofing Materials

Solar shingles are new inventions; therefore, they still come at a high cost, both purchasing and installation. Unlike traditional solar panels, solar shingles bring some aesthetics to your roof, which also doesn’t come cheap.

It May Not be as Efficient as Traditional Solar Panels

Solar shingles are specifically made to provide energy in homes; however, since it’s a new invention, it still has its flaws, one being that their efficiency in energy production is still lower than that of traditional solar panels.

Specialized Installation May Be Required

Solar shingles require a specialized technician who knows how to install them perfectly. This is because they are new inventions hence still technical to anybody who has yet to work with them.

Any slight mistake may turn out to be costly to you, and therefore it is a must that you hire a professional for that job.

It May not be Suitable for all Types of Roofs or Climates

Solar shingles require roofs that get sun throughout the day without any shading. Solar shingles may not work best for you if you live in a house with shaded roofs by other buildings or trees.

Additionally, heavy rains and snow falls if very dangerous since they can damage the shingle making them less efficient.

How a solar roof works

Tesla introduced its solar roof in 2016, shaking up the solar industry forever. But how does a solar roof work?

The Tesla roof uses tempered glass shingles to replace all the standard shingles on your home’s roof. Some of these shingles are also solar panels, meaning that nearly every inch of your roof could, in theory, generate electricity.

Because most roofs have a few spots that don’t get much sunlight, Tesla Roofs also include a few inactive panels. These look the same as the solar shingles but don’t produce energy, which helps to keep down the cost of installation and saves resources.

Tesla Roofs are the only full solar roof currently available, but they’re not the only option for going solar without solar panels. In fact, the first solar shingles were brought to market in 2009 by DOW Company, and several other companies also make solar shingles.

What’s the difference? Solar shingles are just that: shingles. They’re designed to either integrate with your existing or new roof shingles or tiles or to sit on top of them. Either way, the look isn’t quite as seamless as a full Tesla Roof.

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The benefits of a solar roof

There are many benefits to going solar, and solar roofs and shingles offer all these and more.

The look

Solar roofs provide all the benefits of a rooftop solar array without dramatically changing the appearance of your home. That’s because solar shingles are designed to look as much like regular roof shingles as possible. Most solar shingles can be integrated into an existing tile or shingle roof, or can be laid over top as a sort of second skin for your roof. Even if they’re attached on top of your roof’s regular tiles, the profile of solar shingles is a lot lower than with mounted solar panels.

With a Tesla Roof, all the tiles look the same, regardless of whether they’re active solar shingles or inactive tiles. This makes a solar roof or solar shingles a great fit for homeowners who don’t like the look of more conventional solar panels. A solar roof may also enable homeowners to benefit from solar without invoking the ire of homeowner associations.

Cost-effective roofing and solar combined

A new roof can be a costly proposition, as can a solar installation. What if you could combine the two and save some cash?

If your roof is due for an upgrade, consider a solar roof. Sure, it will cost more than a regular roof, but it will typically cost less than a regular roof plus a conventional solar array with similar power output.

A high-performance roofing solution

Worried that a solar roof won’t be as good as a regular roof? There’s no need for concern. These roofing shingles perform just like regular shingles, only they produce electricity while keeping your home watertight and safe from the elements.

The key here is that solar shingles combine solar cells with the roof sheathing. In more conventional solar arrays, solar modules are mounted on top of shingles (or other roofing material).

Effective use of space

Solar shingles can be a great way to go solar if you have a small roof that makes a standard solar set-up difficult or even impossible. For the same reason, solar shingles can be a good choice for a roof with awkward space constraints, such as dormers, skylights, and so forth.

After all, a shingle is far smaller than a solar panel. This means you can squeeze a few shingles onto a small area and maximize your rooftop real estate. You might even decide to skip your rooftop entirely and instead install a solar roof on your garage, shed, or an auxiliary dwelling, especially if these get more sun exposure than your home.

No external wiring

Standard solar panel installations require external wiring that connects the mounted solar panels to the inverter and main service panel inside your home. With a solar roof and most solar shingles, all the wiring is internal and hidden. This reduces the risk of damage from wind, rain, birds and other wildlife, and so forth.

Standard solar arrays also have to be mounted on top of roofing material, which usually means drilling into the roof. Some metal roofs allow for solar modules to be clicked into place, but regular roof shingles and tiles require solar installers to penetrate the roofing material, which can cause damage and create weak spots.

These problems are unlikely if you use an experienced and skilled solar installer, but they’re still a risk with regular arrays.

Some solar shingles are direct to deck, acting like both a solar panel and a roofing shingle. Others attach to existing roofing shingles or tiles. As such, the potential for damage to an existing roof varies greatly between differing solar roofing options.

Easier to repair and replace

Another key benefit to solar shingles is that they’re lightweight and relatively easy to repair and replace. If one or two get damaged, you can quickly replace these with fresh solar shingles or inactive shingles as needed. It’s much harder and more costly to replace or repair an entire solar panel.

Solar shingles are also built to withstand rain, snow, and wind. And if something does go wrong, most companies offer a good warranty, so you can get your shingles replaced for free. Tesla even offers a lifetime warranty for its physical shingles, which is great if you’re planning on staying in the same home for a long time. If you think you’ll move home in the next 25 years or so, though, that lifetime warranty might not be all that useful, given it’s hard to take your solar roof with you (unlike solar panels).

Are there any downsides to solar roofs?

So far, so good, but what about the disadvantages of solar roofs?

Cost and efficiency

As discussed, solar shingles aren’t cheap, despite being more cost-effective per watt. Compared to the price of a standard rooftop solar installation (15,000 to 40,000), the Tesla solar roof has been reported as ranging from 30,000 to nearly 100,000. What’s more, Tesla has shifted its dramatically, and without warning, several times, catching customers off guard. Tesla also now insists that solar roof customers buy the Tesla Powerwall battery, which raises the cost even more.

Tesla isn’t the only name in town, though, and you definitely pay a premium for the brand.

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High-efficiency shingles from other companies tend to be less expensive and just as efficient as Tesla’s shingles, but they’re all less efficient than the best solar panels. In general, a solar shingle typically produces between 13 and 63 watts. They need high sun exposure and a good slope to meet their maximum output, though.

Why are solar shingles less efficient than solar panels?

The main reason is that building-integrated solar panels (BISPs, or BIPVs) don’t typically allow for air to circulate underneath, which means they overheat quickly, which impairs electricity production.

This lack of efficiency combined with higher upfront costs can mean a longer payback period for solar roofs. In fact, solar roofs don’t offer anything like the return on investment of a standard solar array, unless you’re in need of a new roof anyway.

Lifespan and flexibility

Solar roofs and shingles also have a shorter lifespan than most regular solar panels. While a standard solar panel can usually keep producing electricity at around 80% of original output for 25 years or more, solar shingles usually maintain that level of output for just 20 or so years. They also produce less electricity to start with.

One other downside of a solar roof is that it can be hard to take with you if you move. Unlike solar panels, solar roofs are custom-made to fit your home. Solar shingles or DecoTech integrated panels may be able to go with you if you move, depending on the type of roof at your new home.

Other downsides to solar roofs

While solar roofs are increasingly popular, you might not be able to find a skilled installer in your area. In contrast, conventional solar installers are easy to find, which also means the labor cost of an installation is typically lower than for a solar roof.

The same goes for solar shingles. While there are more installers for these than for Tesla Roofs, it’s still very hard to find a credentialled installer in most places, especially if you live outside of a big city.

Finally, you’ll want to consider the environmental cost of installing a solar roof. Chances are you’re interested in these products because you want to live a greener lifestyle. Sending your current, perfectly respectable roof to a landfill just so you can install a solar roof isn’t very sustainable.

The best solar roofs: our top picks

CertainTeed

Highlights: Solar shingle option with an impressive amount of experience in the roofing industry making products that integrate well into your existing roof, negating the need for a total roof upgrade.

• Excellent reputation and roofing experience
• Company offers full roofing solution incorporating solar tiles/shingles
• Works with asphalt and concrete roofs
• Well-established brand
• Much lower cost than a Tesla Roof
• Water, wind, and fire resistant
• Excellent, transferrable warranty
• Quick and easy installation and maintenance
• No waitlist!
• High-efficiency monocrystalline solar cells
• Includes inverter and wiring as needed
• Not a full solar roof
• Solar shingles/tiles look different to regular roofing
• No specific pricing available on website

CertainTeed has been offering solar shingles for longer than Tesla and has more than one hundred years of experience in the roofing industry. The company currently offers two designs for solar roofs:

Apollo Shingle 11 can be installed as part of a new roof or with an existing asphalt roof. These shingles are all-black and can be placed in strips or patches on part or most of the roof. Each shingle measures 46.75 inches wide and 17 5/8 th inches deep.

Apollo Tile II is suitable for concrete tile roofs. These tiles have a black laminate look and come with a custom frame color to match various earth-tone concrete tile colors. Each tile measures 47 inches wide and 17.25 inches deep.

What we like about CertainTeed solar roofs

Unlike with a Tesla Roof, you can easily integrate solar shingles from CertainTeed into your existing roof. This avoids the need for a total roof upgrade and makes for a much lower cost installation. (In some situations, Tesla might be able to add its Solar Roof on top of your existing roof.)

A CertainTeed solar roof is typically a lot less expensive than a Tesla Roof. CertainTeed solar shingles are also more widely available in the U.S. The company has been in the roofing business for more than a century and has hundreds of service personnel ready to install its solar shingles. With no waitlist and more roofing experience than any other solar shingle manufacturer, CertainTeed is a great choice if you need a new roof or just want to add a few solar shingles to get started.

CertainTeed makes its solar shingles and tiles in the U.S. Every installation includes fire-resistant underlayment (where relevant), flashing accessories, starter strip and wind clips, home run wiring, an optional string inverter, and an optional monitoring system.

Both types of solar shingles are easy to install as they use the same low-tech system as regular asphalt and concrete tiles. That is, your installer will attach the shingles to the roof’s sheathing using standard deck screws. This makes for a far speedier and more straightforward installation than with more complex solar shingles.

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The tiles are also easy to maintain, with open space under the modules and built-in wire clips allowing for easy wire management and installation.

Specifications

CertainTeed uses higher-efficiency solar technology than most solar shingle companies (and is transparent about specifications!). Every active tile has 14 high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells. These tiles have a power rating of 70 watts each, which is higher than most solar shingles. The efficiency rating of Apollo Shingle 11 is 17.2%, while Apollo Tile 11 has a 17.8% efficiency rating.

CertainTeed shingles are very lightweight and just as flexible as regular shingles. The Apollo Shingles weigh just 2.7 lbs. per sq. ft., which is around the same as a standard asphalt shingle. The Apollo Tiles weigh 3.1 lbs. per sq. ft., which is far less than a concrete roof tile.

While lightweight, these solar shingles can withstand an impressive 250 lbs. per square foot. They’re also resistant to water, fire, and wind and even carry Florida Building Code High Velocity Hurricane Zone rating (Vult 194mph).

The Apollo Shingles 11 and Apollo Tiles 11 have a power temperature coefficient of.0.37%. While nowhere close to the coefficients of REC solar panels, this is actually fairly similar to many of the best solar panels. Not bad for a solar shingle or tile packed tight to a roof!

Both types of roofing materials have an operating temperature between.40 and 194 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 and 90 Celsius).

CertainTeed also offers a comprehensive warranty that covers all system components. This includes a 25-year warranty on power output and a 10-year warranty covering the inverter, all other system components, and a 110-mph wind warranty.