How Much Do Solar Shingles Cost To Install
The cost to install solar shingles varies, depending on the brand you choose and how you choose to compare the costs.
If youre looking strictly at the cost of solar, Tesla is the cheapest at $1.80 per watt before incentives. Other solar shingle brands will cost between $3.80 to $7.00 per watt.
However, its important to note that Tesla requires you to invest in a total roof replacement when you install their solar shingles. This means that the overall cost of a Tesla solar shingle installation could be much higher than that of other brands, like CertainTeed, that can be installed with your existing roof – especially because Teslas roofing materials can get expensive.
Find out which solar incentives your home could qualify for
Tesla Solar Panels Vs Tesla Solar Roof
Tesla Solar Panels can be installed on top of existing roofs and are significantly cheaper than a Solar Roofthough still expensive compared to other solar panels on the market. The same two-story, 2,000 square foot house from the articles introduction would only need to spend $26,900 to have Tesla Solar Panels installed.
However, these panels would only generate 8.16 kW instead of the Solar Roofs 11.28 kW, making it more difficult to be self-powered. Powerwall also comes with the Tesla Solar Panels if you are interested in storing your energy.
Pros Of Solar Shingles
- More aesthetically appealing and sleeker compared to the bulky and somewhat unattractive traditional solar panels, and can blend in more easily with your existing roof design
- If you are building a new home or replacing your roof, solar power shingles could prove to be more cost-effective because you would save on the traditional roofing material and labor
- Solar panel shingles can usually be removed and reinstalled in a situation where you have to move your home
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Solar Shingles: Pros And Cons
Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding whether solar shingles are the best choice for your residential solar system:
| Solar Shingles Pros | |
|---|---|
| Solar roof shingles are more aesthetically pleasing | Shingles are a newer solar technology, so there aren’t as many options readily available |
| Shingles are typically quicker to install | Few of the best solar companies install solar shingles |
| They can be a more cost-effective if you need a roof replacement anyway | Solar panel shingles are much more expensive than regular solar panels |
| Shingles have a lower conversion efficiency than solar panels | |
| Solar shingles are more difficult to take with you if you move | |
| Shingles are much more dependent on the slope of your roof |
Roof Shingles Cost Per Square
Whichever type of shingles you choose, they are usually available for purchase by the square or bundle. This is an economical way to purchase roofing materials in the appropriate quantity for a large residential roofing project, such as a new installation or complete replacement. A square of roof shingles is equivalent to 100 sq. ft. The cost per square depends on the type of shingles and the brand. They generally range between $55 on the low end and $600 on the high end, with an average of $100 to $250 per square of architectural shingles. The roofing labor cost per square is $100 to $250. The table below shows common square measurements for home roofing projects and the average cost for materials and labor.
| Number of Squares |
|---|
| $7,000 – $17,500 |
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Cost Of Diy Solar Panels
The cost of DIY solar panels runs $2,000 to $20,000 for a kit ranging from 2kW to 10kW. These kits include everything you need to install your own solar array. However, you may even look to building your own panels.
The costs to make your own system and build it from scratch is going to vary quite a lot depending on you level of skill. Its a highly technical and specialized field. If you have a high level of electrical skills, you may be toying with the idea of building your own solar panels. The cost of solar cells and the silicon wafers used to create them are available to purchase individually. To build your own, you would typically put 60 of these wafers onto a backing and wire each of them. You would then need to connect this to an inverter.
Consider, however, that there are several risks associated with building your own, including:
- You can’t be sure of the quality of solar cells purchased.
- Homemade panels are often a fire hazard.
- Many tax credits and incentives will not apply when systems are constructed outside of approved facilities.
What Are Solar Shingles
Solar shingles are a relatively new technology designed to look like ordinary asphalt shingles on your roof. They protect your roof and have the same durability and flexibility as regular shingles, while harnessing the suns solar energy to generate power for your home. Each solar shingle will produce between 13 and 63 watts of energy, depending on the brand of solar roof shingles. Solar shingles are lightweight and easy to install and just like ordinary shingles, they are designed to withstand rain, wind, and hail.
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How Much Will It Cost To Install Solar Shingles For Your Roofing Customer
According to Home Advisor, the national average for an asphalt roof replacement is just over $8,200 but according to Solar Magazine, solar roofing systems can run anywhere from $15,000 to over $70,000.
That’s a big difference, and it’s a difference you need to talk to your potential customers about. If you’re just starting out installing solar roofing shingles, be sure to price out your supplies and measure your time in order to develop the most efficient prices for you and your customers.
But don’t forget to cover the ROI of your customers’ new roofs.
Solar Panels: Pros And Cons
Now, consider how standard solar panels compare:
| Solar Panels Pros | |
|---|---|
| There are plenty of products to choose from | Panels look bulkier and do not have the same elegant aesthetics |
| There are many solar installers that work with panels | You’ll need your roof to be in good condition before you can install solar panels |
| The cost of solar panels is much lower than that of solar shingles | The solar panel installation process is usually a little longer than solar shingle installation |
| Solar panels are more efficient than solar shingles | |
| You can more easily adjust panels to get an optimal position |
Generally speaking, solar shingles are a better option if you:
- Need to replace your roof
- Care a great deal about the aesthetics of your roof
- Have a roof that is already well-positioned and sloped to capture sunlight
If you don’t fit into any of those categories, you may be better off pursuing solar panels, which are the more time-tested, widely available, energy-efficient and affordable option.
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Solar Roof Shingles Vs Community Solar
Similar to rooftop solar panels, there are pros and cons to installing solar shingles on your home. Aside from the initial cost of installation, it is important to check and understand the warranty information so that you are aware of what costs you will be responsible for if any part of the roof fails. Most solar shingles have a lifespan of 25-30 years and will begin producing less power during the last decade of the roof life.
Any homeowner that is exploring how they can offset their energy costs with solar should also look into Community Solar, which has no upfront costs. Unlike rooftop solar options, Community Solar programs do not require any home installation, hence the no fees solar option. This opens up solar availability to homeowners, renters, and businesses alike in most cases as well. Community Solar farms like those operated by Clearway Community Solar work by supplying the energy that they produce directly to the power grid, and in return, subscribers receive solar bill credits on their utility bills, helping lower utility charges.
Reasons To Consider Installing Solar Roof Shingles
If you want to go solar, youll want to consider solar roof shingles. Heres why:
- They score high marks for energy efficiency. Many solar shingles you can purchase are constructed out of thin-film solar cells that are constructed out of copper indium gallium selenide. This is a semiconductor that has one of the best energy conversion efficiency rates, as Solar Magazine reports.
- They last a long time. Solar roof shingles share a common benefit with solar panels: they can last for decades, and even when they reach the end of their lifespan they can continue to generate power.
- They make your house look better. One of the best things about solar shingles is that they enhance the appearance of your home. While some solar panels that are installed on the roof of your house can look bulky, solar shingles are sleeker and blend in with your homes roof because you can find solar shingles to match a variety of regular roof materials, such as those made with clay, slate, or asphalt shingles.
- They comply with homeowners association regulations. If youre subject to these regulations, youll love that solar roof shingles look like regular roofs because of how they are sleek and lie flat, especially because the HOA might prohibit the installation of solar panels. This gives you the opportunity to generate solar power on your property even if you previously couldnt.
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How Do You Calculate How Many Shingles To Buy
Instead of basing your calculations on the square footage of the house, measure the actual surface area of your roof. Roof pitch and elements such as gables and dormers also affect the height. Use a simple roofing calculator to get a rough idea of the square footage. For a more accurate picture, use a roofing calculator that can account for all of these peripheral factors, or contact a roofing contractor.
Roof Shingles Cost By Warranty
Because replacing a roof is costly, consumers should weigh the cost of longer-lasting shingles with the potential for a need to replace less often. If you live in a climate that is extremely hot or cold, prone to excessive rain or snow, purchasing shingles that have a longer warranty is a wise decision. Pricing may vary according to brand, and many of the major brands now offer a limited lifetime warranty on their shingles. You can buy shingles with the following warranty expectations :
| Warranty |
|---|
| $12 |
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Solar Panel Roof Tiles Cost
Solar panel roof tiles have a cost per watt of $2.72 on average. These are also known as photovoltaic shingles. They blend seamlessly into your roof rather than mounting on top of your roof. Therefore, they are more aesthetically pleasing, but they have slightly higher-than-average costs to install and require an entirely new roof.
Go Green With Solar Power Roofing Shingles
Solar power is a great way to save the environment as well as save money on your electric bill. However, many homeowners dislike the sight of bulky solar panels on their roof. Solar shingles are a newer technology that look like ordinary roofing shingles. Kapital Electric is a premier solar shingle installation company in Chicago, and can install a beautiful and cost-efficient new solar shingle roof on your home.
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Plastic Roof Shingles Cost
Plastic roofing may sound kind of flimsy but rest assured these shingles are just as strong as standard asphalt shingles. They are actually made of a composite or synthetic material that is resistant to mold, mildew, insects, fungus, and rot. Plastic shingles are easy to install, as they have an interlocking system. They also look just like a more expensive roofing product like slate or cedar wood. Plastic roof shingles cost $4 – $6 per square ft.
Solar Panel Installation Cost Breakdown
Many components go into installing a solar panel system. This includes calculating your power needs and surveying your home to make sure your roof can handle the load. Then the site is , and the panels are mounted onto a frame on your roof. They are then connected to the inverters, which are installed on the outside of your home on the other side of your electrical panel.
Most installers quote a single price for the materials and labor for this project. However, the labor generally breaks down to between $3,000 and $5,000 for the average 6kW system, or between $0.50 and $1.20 a watt for installation costs out of the total $2.50 to $3.50 a watt costs for the total system. Your labor costs are influenced by various factors, including the roof pitch, roofing materials, inverter type, and panel type. Thin-film panels with micro inverters are faster and easier to install than monocrystalline panels with string inverters. So, labor for the first example would be lower than for the second.
The following is the percentage breakdown of the total cost:
| Project Breakdown |
|---|
| $18,480 – $21,120 |
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How Much Does A Tesla Solar Roof Cost Compared To Solar Panels
Its easier to compare these costs with an example, so lets dive in.
Lets say you own a home in California with a simple complexity roof thats roughly 2,000 square feet, and your average monthly electric bill is $200. Tesla would recommend installing a 8.18 kW solar roof that would cost $45,300 before the federal tax credit, and about $33,600 after the tax credit.
An 8.18 kW conventional solar panel system would cost about $24,540 before the tax credit, and $18,160 after the tax credit based on the average cost of solar in the U.S. This solar system is cheaper than the Tesla solar roof on its own, but the solar roof isnt just a solar panel installation – it also includes the cost of getting a new roof.
So, how much is a traditional roof replacement? Well, lets say you use architectural asphalt shingles that cost around $8.00 per square foot including installation it could cost about $16,000 to reroof the entire roof. That would bring the total cost of installing conventional solar panels and completing a roof replacement to $34,160.
In this example, the Tesla solar roof costs about the same as a traditional roof replacement and solar installation. But, if your roof ends up being more complex, the solar roof system could cost you another $11,910, making the difference in price more stark.
Tesla Solar Roof Shinglepros
- Unlike almost every other silica-based solar panel, Tesla shingles are quartz-based, which promises superior efficiency and resilience
- Tesla will directly handle the complete roofing project, from design to installation, including the removal of your old roof
- Tesla shingles offer the longest warranty period at 30 years for power output, which allows you a solid payback period at maximum energy efficiency
- The looks of a Tesla roof are stunningyou have a choice between textured tiles that blend in with your building and a futuristic glass roof that can give plenty of bragging points
- Teslas smartphone app will keep you updated about your battery storage levels and your energy usage at any point of time
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What Are Solar Shingles And How Do They Work
You can think of solar shingles like small solar panels that integrate with your existing roof shingles or a new roof . They work the same way standard types of solar panels do, but where solar panels are assembled on top of your roof, solar shingles are used to build a roof.
The most obvious benefit to this type of solar energy system is simple aesthetics while photovoltaic solar panels tend to be pretty obtrusive, solar shingles allow you to have a completely normal-looking roof.
Like solar panels, solar shingles absorb energy from the sun, some of which may be stored in a solar battery and some of which is converted into useful alternating current. This allows you to power appliances and devices throughout your home with renewable energy.
Note: Those who prefer the appearance of a “tiled” roof to a shingled one may wish to consider solar tiles. These work in roughly the same way that photovoltaic shingles do but integrate with roofing tiles rather than asphalt shingles. If you’re interested in finding out more about he cost of solar system installations, you can fill out the free quote form below.
Price Comparison Between Solar Panels And Solar Shingles Or Solar Roofs
Trying to compare the prices of rooftop solar panels to BIPV solar roofs is a bit of an exercise in futility due to a significant number of variables that would need to be considered. The biggest one being, that to mount standard solar panels on a roof, you need to cover that roof in the first place. Solar shingles are in themselves a weather protective solar roof cover AND a power-generating solar panel.
The average per-watt price for an old-school rooftop solar installation currently ranges between $2.57 and $3.35 USD, and the average total price for a full solar panel setup in the US averages between $11,411 and $14,874 after any regional solar-tax credits are applied. Again, thats an average incentives vary, and not all states will have tax incentives and rebate programs.
The above may seem a lower price than a full solar roof installation, until of course you add the cost of a roof covering, and possibly having to remove panels in fine working order simply to replace defective shingles beneath them. And, to add additional types of apples to compare with these oranges – you also have aesthetics, durability and home resale value to consider.
Where BIPV solar roofs really pull away from solar panels is the lack of hassle with roof coverings, and the cool factor. They just look cooler, full stop. And we are probably all attracted to shiny things a bit more than we may like to think. : )
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