Both solar shingles and solar panels capture the sun’s energy and transform it into electricity for your home. While solar panels are an addition to your roof, solar shingles can work as your actual roof material while harnessing solar power. 

Understanding how solar shingles and solar panels work can help you choose between them when planning to use solar energy in your home. This guide walks you through each solution, discusses the pros and cons, and gives you the data you need to make an educated decision.

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What Are Solar Panels?

Solar panels work by converting sunlight directly into electricity. They achieve this through the photovoltaic effect. It occurs when semiconductor materials within solar cells (also called photovoltaic or PV cells) generate an electric current.

When light hits the semiconductor (usually silicone) within the PV cell, it absorbs the energy and transfers it into negatively charged particles within the material. This energy runs through silicone in the form of a current. The conductive metal contacts within the cell allow the extraction of this energy to provide electricity for your home, which can, in turn, help you reduce your electric bill by a significant amount.

In most cases. solar panels have a flat, rectangular shape. You would rack-mount them on suitable surfaces such as rooftops or the ground. The placement and angle depend on your property’s location in relation to the sunlight. The goal is to capture the maximum amount of solar power throughout the day.

Solar panels have a long history of residential use. They date back to the 1950s, when the first practical PV cell was developed. Over the decades, technological advancements have made solar panels more efficient, affordable, and accessible to the average homeowner.

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What Are Solar Shingles?

Solar shingles, or solar roof tiles, are an innovative version of solar panels. The Dow Chemical Company created this concept in 2009. Their special design allows solar tiles to blend seamlessly with traditional roofing materials. Like solar panels, they convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect.

These shingles look similar to asphalt shingles and integrate directly into the roof. Their low-profile appearance makes solar shingles an attractive option for homeowners who avoid solar panels due to their lack of aesthetic appeal.

Solar roof shingles combine traditional roofing materials’ functionality and solar panels’ energy-generating capabilities.

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Solar Shingles vs. Solar Panels: Key Differences

While solar shingles and solar panels work the same way, they have several important differences, which can impact which solution is best for your home.

Aesthetic and Curb Appeal

Solar shingles offer a sleek, low-profile look that blends seamlessly with your roof. This subtle design makes them an attractive option for homeowners concerned about visual impact.

Meanwhile, traditional solar panels are more noticeable. You need to mount them on racks above your roof to capture maximum sunlight. While manufacturers are currently working on slimmer profiles and less conspicuous hardware, solar panels still look less aesthetically appealing than solar shingles.

In addition to harnessing renewable energy, solar shingles can improve your home’s aesthetic appeal and potentially increase its resale value.

Cost Comparison

Cost is one of the key differences that often keeps homeowners from opting for solar shingles over panels. Since solar shingles serve two purposes—protecting your roof and harnessing energy—their initial cost tends to be higher than regular solar panels.

For comparison, the cost of residential solar panels is around $2.50–$3.50* per watt. The number of watts your house needs can vary widely depending on your home’s structure and location and the local climate. Meanwhile, solar shingles’ cost can reach $9 per watt.

Solar panel costs are often lower because of their large-scale production and well-established market presence. The solar panel installation process is also simpler, which leads to lower labor costs.

Long-term costs for solar shingles and solar panels depend on various factors, such as energy production efficiency, incentives (such as the federal tax credit and rebates), and roof repair needs. Solar panels can offer a quicker return on investment (ROI) due to lower initial costs, while solar shingles can offer savings on replacing your roof system due to their dual functionality.

*Article price info via Angi.com and Fixr.com.

Durability and Maintenance

Solar panels last around 25–30 years. They can withstand heavy rain, hail, and high winds. Solar panel maintenance includes periodic cleaning (usually twice per year) and snow removal if necessary.

Solar shingles are as durable as regular asphalt shingles. They offer the same protection for your roof as standard shingles. However, since this technology is fairly new, it’s hard to predict the shingles’ lifespan. Solar companies usually state that shingles, like panels, last up to 30 years. However, real-world data over extended periods is not yet available.

Solar shingle maintenance is similar to that of traditional roof shingles. You need to conduct regular inspections to identify damage and repair it as soon as possible. You’ll also have to clean the shingles twice a year just as you would with solar panels. However, since these shingles would be part of your roof, cleaning may be more complex and time-consuming.

While you can tilt solar panels to aid with snow shedding, solar shingles don’t offer the same luxury, making the snow removal more challenging. 

Efficiency and Energy Production  

Solar panels’ average efficiency is 17%–20%, though some can reach up to 24%. The efficiency rating for solar shingles is lower, around 14%–18%. This means solar panels produce more electricity than solar shingles with the same amount of sunlight.

The orientation and angle of your roof significantly impacts energy production for both options. You would typically mount solar panels on racks, allowing optimal orientation and tilt angles to maximize sunlight. Solar shingles, on the other hand, are integrated directly into the roof and follow its existing angles and orientation.

Another issue is roof space. Solar panels require less roof space to produce the same amount of electricity as solar shingles. If you have limited roof space, you may not be able to get sufficient electricity to cover your energy needs.  

Installation Considerations

The installation processes for solar panels and solar shingles differ dramatically. Solar panels are an addition to your roof, while solar shingles are an integral part. The main installation considerations are:

• Process: Installing solar shingles is more labor-intensive and takes longer than installing solar panels. Your contractor will need to integrate each shingle into your roof’s structure.
• Qualified installers: Since solar shingles are a newer technology, fewer professionals specialize in their installation than the well-established solar panel market.
• Roof design: Roof pitch, orientation, and obstacles impact each layout differently. You can mount solar panels on adjustable racks, allowing optimized placement. This flexibility helps accommodate various roof pitches and orientations. In contrast, solar shingles must follow the roof’s existing layout.

Solar shingle installation usually requires replacing the entire roof. If you need a new roof anyway, this is an advantage because you can consolidate two projects. However, installing solar shingles may be less cost-effective if your existing roof is new.

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Pros and Cons of Solar Shingles

Before you decide whether or not you should buy solar shingles, consider their pros and cons:

Pros

• Have a potentially long lifespan
• Increase your home’s resale value
• Integrate seamlessly with your roof’s design and structure
• Serve a dual purpose by harnessing energy and protecting your roof

Cons

• Higher upfront costs than solar panels
• Lower efficiency and power output than with solar panels
• More complex installation
• Not many qualified professional installers

Since solar shingles have a short track record, solar companies, installers, and homeowners may encounter more pros and cons in the future.

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Pros and Cons of Solar Panels

Solar panels are a popular choice for homeowners who want to take advantage of the sun’s renewable energy. Here are their pros and cons to help you figure out whether solar panels are worth it:

Pros

• Flexible installation options regardless of the roof’s type, size, and location
• Higher efficiency and energy production than solar shingles
• Lower upfront costs
• Wide choice of manufacturers and installation experts

Cons

• Could make roof replacement more complicated
• May not offer as much home value increase as integrated solar shingles
• May require additional roof penetration and reinforcement
• Noticeable appearance on the roof

While they are a popular option, solar panels are stand-alone structures. Unlike solar shingles, they don’t double up as regular shingles or other features, so you might not benefit from trying to replace your roof simultaneously.

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Choosing Between Solar Shingles and Panels

If you’re choosing between solar shingles and solar panels, consider these factors:

• Aesthetic preferences
• Budget
• Property location
• Roof size

Solar shingles are great for homeowners who want a seamless roof appearance and have the right budget. However, you should also ensure that your property’s orientation is suitable to derive your desired efficiency from solar shingles.  

Solar panels can be an excellent choice for homeowners who want to maximize renewable energy resources while saving money. However, you must accept the bulky panels’ noticeable appearance on your rooftop.

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Our Conclusion

Both solar panels and solar shingles can help you cut electricity costs, increase your home’s value, and reduce your carbon footprint. Solar panels are more affordable, flexible, and energy-efficient, while solar shingles have greater aesthetic appeal and can double up as roof protection.

Before making a panel choice, consider the pros and cons of each option carefully. Your final decision depends on many factors, including technical setups, costs, and personal preferences.

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FAQ About Solar Shingles vs. Solar Panels

Are solar shingles worth the extra cost?

Solar shingles can be worth the extra cost because they don’t just produce electricity but also work as regular shingles. To decide whether they are worth it for your particular situation, you’ll need to consider your roof’s orientation and your chosen shingles’ efficiency.

Can you mix solar shingles and panels on one roof?

While mixing solar shingles and panels on one roof is technically possible, it may not be the most effective option. Adding solar panels to a roof with solar shingles will diminish the shingles’ aesthetic appeal, which is one of their main benefits.

Do solar shingles take longer to install than panels?

Yes, solar shingles take longer to install than panels because you usually need to install them along your entire roof. You would only need to install solar panels in one spot.

How do solar shingles compare to panels in snowy climates?

In snowy climates, solar shingles may be more challenging to clean than solar panels. Solar panels’ structure encourages snow shedding, which is not true with solar shingles.

How do solar shingles impact roof warranty?

Installing solar shingles should void your roof warranty because you are essentially replacing your roof. The product warranty on solar shingles is around 25 years on average.

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