Why the Future is Bright for Solar Shingles
Here are three reasons why homeowners continue to choose roof-integrated solar.
Before making a comparison between solar shingles and conventional solar panels, you have to know something about the condition of the homeowner’s roof. If the roof shingles are deteriorating and need replacement, it can be more cost effective to install solar shingles than to replace the roof and install roof-mounted solar.
There are other reasons why homeowners may prefer roof-integrated solar. Structural limitations could mean that traditional solar panels would compromise the integrity of the roof while lightweight solar shingles would not.
No two homes are exactly alike. Just as some residential solar projects use technology to mitigate the effects of shade on energy production, others use solar shingles where conventional solar panels would not be cost effective or may be altogether unfeasible.
Here are three reasons why homeowners continue to choose roof-integrated solar and why the BIPV market is poised for growth in the years ahead.
- Solar shingles save time and money, using a single installation crew and a single product for roofing and solar energy production.
- High-efficiency solar shingles can produce about as much energy as conventional, roof-mounted solar.
- As solar installation prices continue to fall and homeowners grow more accustomed to owning PV systems instead of using third-party financing, differentiated solar products, like solar shingles, will have an opportunity to gain market share.
The biggest knock on solar shingles has been that the thin-film solar cells they use produce energy with less efficiency than solar panels using crystalline silicon cells. This criticism cannot be applied to all BIPV products.
CertainTeed Solar uses crystalline silicon cells in the production of their Apollo II solar shingle and solar tile systems. Their manufacturing process is flexible enough to integrate new cell technologies as they offer better customer value. CertainTeed is North America’s leader in sustainable building products, bringing years of experience to develop a solar roofing system that delivers energy and long-term protection for the home.
As system prices continue to fall and homeowners take advantage of loan financing to own solar projects themselves, the market is likely to see more demand for premium solar module features that provide better aesthetics, durability, and overall quality.
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