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Solar Roof Shingles
Solar Roof Shingles
Summary: Solar roof shingles, also called photovoltaic shingles, are solar cells that capture sunlight and transform it into energy, yet are designed to look like conventional asphalt roof shingles.
Carl, I note there are solar panels that are similar to roof tiles and appear to be part of the roof and not the present unsightly solar panels. Do you have the manufacturer of these solar panels?
Paul
Hi Paul,
I believe you are referring to solar shingles.
A list of manufactures can be found at EcoBusinessLinks.com where you will also find a solar panel price survey showing the cheapest solar panels for sale. Home Depot has a solar energy installation service you might be interested in too.
Most Solar Shingles are 12 inches wide (when stacked have 5inches of exposed area) by 86 inches long and can be stapled directly to the roofing cloth.
Roof tiles provide optimal solar cell placement and eliminates shading from upper roof tiles. They also require less roof space and allows for optimal system placement.
Courtesy of California Sun Power
Solar-shingled roofs have a deep, dark, purplish-blue color, and therefore look similar to other roofs in most situations.
They have aesthetics that are positive in some peoples’ opinion. Unlike other upcoming alternative resources for the home, such as wind turbines or home diesel generators (to reduce transmission costs), they are not obviously solar collectors.
California Sun Power shingle roof tiles are all-black in design to blend into Flat or S-Tile roofs.
Courtesy of California Sun Power
Solar shingles are more expensive to install than typical PV panels, but the extra cost is sometimes considered a small price to pay for the aesthetic benefits.
Also, the solar shingles offset the cost of traditional shingles for that section of the roof.
Large home builders in California like Lennar are partnering with solar companies to offer new construction solar homes that have solar systems installed prior to moving in.
Reducing the overhead and using "grid connected" solar roof tile technology makes solar systems a standard option like granite countertops, making solar an affordable solution to reduce electricity costs. This is GOOD!
Be sure to read about passive solar and Passive Solar home design. Passive solar homes need not be any more expensive to build than any other design.
Carl Heldmann
