The primary distinction between photo voltaic shingles and photo voltaic panels is the best way they’re mounted. Photo voltaic panels are mounted on a roof (or the bottom), whereas photo voltaic shingles do double obligation as rooftop shingles. Photo voltaic shingles generate electrical energy the identical manner photo voltaic panels do.
How photo voltaic shingles work, what they’re manufactured from and the way they’re put in
Photo voltaic shingles work the identical manner photo voltaic panels do, however photo voltaic shingles appear like and performance as conventional roof shingles. This implies they serve a twin function: to generate electrical energy and to guard your own home from the weather.
Photo voltaic shingles could be manufactured from silicon (the oldest and one of the vital well-liked choices) or copper indium gallium (CIGS).
Right here’s how photo voltaic shingles (and photo voltaic panels) generate electrical energy:
You’ll be able to have solely photo voltaic shingles for a roof, or you possibly can set up some photo voltaic shingles along with your current roof shingles. Sometimes, if the photo voltaic shingles don’t must take up your total roof area, the installer integrates the brand new photo voltaic shingles with the remainder of your current roof construction. As soon as the shingles are mounted, they’re related to an inverter, and the inverter is related to the house’s electrical panel, so you possibly can take pleasure in usable AC electrical energy out of your photo voltaic shingles. The set up course of often takes just a few days.
Photo voltaic shingles vs. photo voltaic panels: Key variations
Though they generate electrical energy in the identical method, there are some essential variations between photo voltaic shingles and photo voltaic panels.
Value: Photo voltaic shingles are usually considerably dearer than photo voltaic panels.
Look: Photo voltaic shingles supply a sleeker look than photo voltaic panels. Not like photo voltaic panels, that are mounted on racks, photo voltaic shingles sit flush with the house’s roofline and could be indistinguishable from common shingles from a distance.
Effectivity: Photo voltaic panels usually are extra environment friendly than photo voltaic shingles. That is partly as a result of photo voltaic shingles sit flush towards the mounting floor, which doesn’t permit for cooling airflow beneath them.
Availability: As an older, tried-and-true product, photo voltaic panels are extra broadly out there than photo voltaic shingles.
Set up: Putting in photo voltaic shingles tends to take longer than putting in photo voltaic panels (except you’re changing your total roof or working with new building). Photo voltaic shingles don’t require drilling into the roof to connect a rack; they’re put in with roofing nails, which reduces the chance of leaks or roof harm throughout the set up course of.
Roof concerns: Your roof must be in good situation to assist photo voltaic panels. Photo voltaic shingles, however, can double as a roof substitute for an previous roof in poor situation. Moreover, in contrast to photo voltaic panels, which could be tilted to catch most daylight, photo voltaic shingles lie flush along with your roof. This implies photo voltaic shingles aren’t appropriate for flat roofs or roofs that don’t face the solar.
How one can resolve between photo voltaic shingles and photo voltaic panels
Photo voltaic shingles could also be your most suitable option if:
Aesthetics and curb enchantment are a high concern.
You’re coping with an HOA that has strict tips about look and would possibly problem the set up of photo voltaic panels.
You’re changing your roof on the similar time or working with new building.
Photo voltaic panels could also be your most suitable option if:
Your current roof is in good situation[0].
You’ve a roof that isn’t on the optimum angle or orientation for shingles (some panels could be tilted to maximise the seize of daylight).
Are photo voltaic shingles and photo voltaic panels eligible for the federal tax credit score?
Are you able to stroll on photo voltaic shingles like you possibly can on a daily roof?
Which lasts longer, photo voltaic panels or photo voltaic shingles?
