Timberline Solar by GAF Energy Review: A Solid Solar Roof Option
The largest roofing manufacturer in the US offers one of the best solar roof options. Here’s what you get from GAF Energy.
Andrew Blok has been an editor at CNET covering HVAC and home energy, with a FOCUS on solar, since October 2021. As an environmental journalist, he navigates the changing energy landscape to help people make Smart energy decisions. He’s a graduate of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism at Michigan State and has written for several publications in the Great Lakes region, including Great Lakes Now and Environmental Health News, since 2019. You can find him in western Michigan watching birds.
Sarah Drolet is an associate writer at CNET covering home energy, residential solar power and emerging energy technology. She previously wrote about home and moving-related topics for MYMOVE. Sarah graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
GAF Energy
Like
- Installs just like a roof
- Promises fewer leaks
- High efficiency
- Sleeker looks
Don’t like
- No high-end option with smaller production declines
- Lower wattage per shingle than other solar roof options
- Can’t be angled
Since GAF Energy debuted its Timberline solar shingles in 2021, roofers have installed them in 16 states. Although it’s still a relatively new solar technology, this could mark a major change in how homeowners access solar energy on their roofs.
There are 5 million new roofs put on homes each year, and 1.5 million of them use GAF shingles, said Rey Holmes, GAF Energy’s vice president of services and product. Converting even some of those roofs to GAF Energy’s solar shingles would mark a significant increase in residential rooftop solar in the US.
Though CNET wasn’t able to go through the purchasing process and engage in hands-on testing in our review process, carrying out a review of GAF Energy.- which is based on data from the internet and an interview with a GAF Energy representative.- is less straightforward than it is with other solar companies. GAF Energy’s product and business model are unique among the companies we’ve reviewed so far on the site, making head-to-head comparisons trickier. When comparisons fall short, or something can’t be said for sure, it will be noted in the review.
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What do I get from GAF Energy?
Instead of dealing in solar panels, which get mounted to roofs on metal racks, GAF Energy sells solar shingles, called Timberline Solar, that nail into roofs like any old asphalt shingle. The shingles sit flat against the roof, with electrical components housed in conduit on the front of each one. It makes for a less obtrusive look than solar panels, but not as seamless as the sleek-but-pricey Tesla Solar Roof.
Because solar shingles and solar panels are different technologies, it’s not as useful to compare the energy-generating specs of Timberline Solar and the offerings from other solar companies that offer solar panels.
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But we can compare Timberline Solar to other solar shingle products. GAF Energy’s Timberline Solar warranties are on par with those for the Tesla Solar Roof, and are longer than other solar shingle brands we’ve seen. You get additional coverage options with GAF Energy, offering two different addendums to choose from. Timberline Solar shingles also have the highest efficiency rating of any solar shingle product we’ve seen (about 23%), according to GAF Energy.
Timberline Solar has the lowest wattage per shingle that we’ve seen (45 watts). The typical wattage of a solar shingle is around 70 watts and the average wattage of a solar panel is between 250 and 400 watts. You’ll likely need to install more Timberline Solar shingles than you would with other brands to meet your home’s energy needs and match the wattage of a singular solar panel.
Timberline Solar shingles are also a bit larger than similar solar shingle products, such as those from Tesla. Why does this matter? Solar shingles are typically priced per square foot. So you might need more shingles to meet your home’s energy needs with Timberline Solar.
What solar equipment does GAF Energy install?
GAF Energy only offers Timberline Solar shingles, and does not offer solar panels. And the company technically doesn’t install them. A GAF-certified contractor will be the one putting solar on your roof. You’ll be able to monitor your solar roof’s electricity production through the GAF Energy homeowner portal. This is web-based, meaning there’s no app.
Solar inverters play an important role in turning solar energy into usable energy for your home. GAF Energy uses Delta and SolarEdge string inverters. SolarEdge inverters are widely distributed, highly efficient and offer a solid warranty. They also won the top spot on CNET’s best solar inverters list. Delta inverters are a solid option as well, but we found SolarEdge to be the better choice of the two.
What about solar batteries? You’ll be able to get one, just not through GAF Energy. Timberline Solar roof is compatible with many battery options on the market, according to the company. You’ll need to speak with a licensed energy storage contractor to get a battery installed.
What warranties does GAF Energy offer?
Compared to similar solar shingle products on the market, GAF Energy offers a strong limited warranty for Timberline Solar. Here’s what you’ll get:
Product warranty: One of GAF Energy’s biggest promises with Timberline Solar is protection from leaks. So the company guarantees no leaks from manufacturer defects for 25 years.
Wind warranty: GAF Energy offers a 15-year warranty against winds up to 130 mph.
Power production warranty: GAF Energy says your solar shingles won’t decrease in production more than 2% in year one or more than 0.55% per year after that. After 25 years, Timberline Solar should still produce at 84.8% its original level. That rate of decline is in line with many solar panels in use today, but lags behind some top-of-the-line offerings.
For an additional cost, Timberline Solar comes with two enhanced solar warranties you can add on: Solar Plus and Solar Max. With a Solar Plus warranty addendum, you receive a one-year guarantee of the electrical workmanship and 10 years of coverage for third-party electronics.
With the Solar Max warranty addendum, you receive a 10-year guarantee on the electrical workmanship and 25 years of coverage for third-party electronics. You’ll also receive a 25-year solar power generation guarantee. This guarantees that your Timberline Solar system will generate a specific number of kilowatt hours by certain points throughout the 25 years. The value of this guarantee depends on how many kilowatt hours are promised. Such decisions are made from project to project.
Holmes said that while GAF isn’t focusing on backup batteries just now, the systems are compatible with all major battery brands, and customers will be able to add one.
What financing options does GAF Energy offer?
GAF Energy itself doesn’t offer any financing or leasing options for Timberline Solar. But your GAF-certified contractor might. It’s pretty common for solar installers and contractors to offer some type of solar loan or financing program. Although some are better than others. If there are multiple GAF-certified solar roof installers in your area, compare their finance offerings to see which is most feasible for your budget.
There are other ways to pay for your solar roof as well. Paying cash up front, a personal loan from your bank or a home equity line of credit are just a few other options.
What Are Solar Shingles?
Solar shingles are a type of photovoltaic (PV) cell that can generate electricity from the sun. Unlike traditional solar panels, solar shingles are integrated into the roofing system, allowing for a seamless and attractive look. They are made of thin-film photovoltaic cells that are laminated onto the shingle.
Why Are Solar Shingles the Way of the Future?
Solar shingles offer a number of benefits over traditional solar panels. Firstly, they are more aesthetically pleasing, blending in seamlessly with the roofing system.
Secondly, they only require one installation, instead of two – as they combine both the roofing and solar components. This saves time and money, as well as reducing the overall carbon footprint of the installation process.
How Does A Solar Shingle Work?
Solar shingles work by converting sunlight into electricity through photovoltaic cells. The shingles are connected to a system that converts the DC power generated by the cells into AC power, which is then used to power your home. Any excess power can be fed back into the grid.
- They look great: Solar shingles blend in seamlessly with your roof, making them an attractive addition to your home.
- Require only one installation, not two: Solar shingles combine both the roofing and solar components, reducing the installation time and cost.
- You get them from GAF-certified roofing contractors: This means that you receive a warranty on both the roof and solar components.
- You’ll save on electricity costs: By generating your own power, you will reduce your reliance on grid electricity and lower your energy bills.
What is a GAF-Certified Roofer, and Why Does it Matter?
A GAF-certified roofer is a professional who has been trained and certified by the leading roofing manufacturer in North America.
This certification ensures that the roofer has the necessary knowledge and expertise to install roofing systems that meet the highest standards of quality and safety. Working with a GAF-certified roofer also means that you have peace of mind knowing that your roof is backed by a strong warranty.
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.
Reviews of the best solar shingle brands
Tesla’s Solar Roof
Elon Musk presented the Solar Roof back in 2016. Since then, the product has gained huge popularity across the U.S. and other countries.
It’s clear that the Solar Roof provides a futuristic and sleek look for homes and other types of buildings. Although, the Solar Roof is quite an expensive product and still not as efficient as conventional solar panels.
Tesla’s Solar Roof consists of a rooftop built with solar shingles that contain solar cells. There are two types of shingles used in the final product design: the active ones, those which produce electricity, and the inactive ones, which just act as a roofing material. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using the Solar Roof.
Advantages
- Aesthetics: Solar Roof offers 4 different styles of tile. All have a modern and distinguished looking design.
- Durability: It is claimed to be resistant to hail, wind, and fire, as well as to mechanical forces. Solar Roof is backed by ANSI standard tests.
- Warranty: Offers a 25-year tile and power and weatherization warranty.
- Renowned brand: Who is not excited to have a product of a brand like Tesla? Claimed to be one of the leaders of a zero-carbon emissions future.
Disadvantages
- High upfront Cost: Compared to building a new roof or replacing an existing one plus adding a regular solar system mounted on the rooftop, it can be 2 to 3 times more expensive to buy the solar roof of Tesla. Depending on the complexity of your roof, you could end up paying a total of somewhere between 40,000 to 70,000 to install the solar shingles.
- Low ROI: Depending on many factors like your energy usage habits, the size of the system, your location, and others, the solar roof may have a very low payback in a 25-year lifetime compared to conventional solar systems. In some cases, it could simply be not economically viable.
Considering the previous facts, it would be interesting to look for possible alternatives to buy and install solar shingles. Let’s check out some of them.
CertainTeed Solar Shingles
Another important brand that has been leading the roofing technology in the US for a long time is CertainTeed. It offers two different product alternatives related to solar shingles.
Design Choices
- Apollo Shingle ll: This design has solar shingles that can be installed in a new or existing asphalt shingle roof. The result is a combination of regular asphalt shingles and active solar shingles.
- Apollo Tile ll: This product offers a more integrated design by using tiles that are embedded to a new or an existing concrete tile roof.
Performance
In both Apollo Shingle II and Apollo Tile ll systems, 14 high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells are used in every tile/shingle with a power rating of 70 watts per piece. The conversion efficiency of the shingles and the tiles are 17.2% and 17.8% respectively. In addition, both have an operating temperature that can go anywhere between.40˚C and 90˚C.
Both systems are relatively easy to install, they are placed directly into the roof sheathing using standard deck screws, just as conventional asphalt and concrete tiles are installed.
Their weight is much less than conventional tiles at three pounds per square foot. over, they are long-lasting withstanding up to 250 pounds per square foot. Also, they are waterproof and can resist high wind velocities of 140mph.
Aesthetics
Apollo II provides all-black solar shingles which look like suitable solar stripes or bands placed over the roof.
On the other hand, Apollo Tile II matches the profile of flat concrete tiles. These tiles look like black solar laminate with a custom-colored frame that can complement a wide variety of earth-toned concrete tile colors.
Cost
The cost might change depending on your energy requirements, the difficulty of installation, your roof inclination, and roof age. However, some estimations are shown in the following table.
These figures are estimated and subject to changes depending on the specifics of the project, which can elevate the costs by 25%.
Are these “solar shingle technologies” right for you?
All the products mentioned above will provide an extraordinary aesthetic view for your home. Not to mention that some of them will offer the functionality of performing as the roofing material and act as the structural support by the means of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV).
Replacing roof or just adding solar?
If you are only looking for a solar PV system, installing solar shingles in the roof of your home can be an interesting alternative to go with if your requirements are more focused on aesthetical objectives than on cost-effective and efficient goals. From an economical point of view, it is still hard for solar shingles to compete with conventional solar panel systems.
However, in cases where changing your roof is necessary, solar shingles may present themselves as a more economically viable choice that combines both approaches into one for a cost similar to a solar panel system plus roof installation. In some other cases, replacing your roof may not be what you need, but the structural engineer may require you to replace the roof to make the solar panel installation feasible. If you find yourself in a situation like that, you may want to reconsider going with a solar shingle installation.
New Home?
Another situation where solar roof shingles can definitely be a great choice is for new houses. Choosing solar shingles since the construction process can drastically reduce the cost impact, increase your ROI, and ease the installation process.
Compare Quotes!
In any case, if you are interested in solar shingles, it is advisable for you to get a quote for your roof-specific layout and compare it with other conventional solar panel systems plus roofing installation quotes. This will allow you to find out which approach would best suit your needs. However, keep in mind that in the end, the house will always look better with solar shingles, which is a plus to consider for the value of your property.
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.