Solar Shingles: Is The Look Worth The Price? | EnergySage
Solar shingles: Is the look worth the price?
We ranked the best solar shingles to help you decide if they're right for you.
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Instead of sitting on top of your roof like solar panels, solar shingles have a much more integrated look. You can find them in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. The biggest downside is the price. Solar shingles cost roughly 60-190% more than solar panels for the same amount of power output.
If you're looking for the most bang for your buck (or power per penny), solar panels are the way to go. But if you're willing to pay more for the sleek design of solar shingles, there are some quality products out there that deliver on the promise of low-profile solar power generation. Here's everything you'll want to think about before you commit to solar shingles, from an overview of the basics to a breakdown of the best products currently on the market.
Key takeaways
- Solar shingles use the same technology as solar panels, but they're smaller and blend in better with ordinary roof shingles.
- Solar shingles don't perform as well as solar panels and tend to cost a lot more.
- CertainTeed offers high performing solar shingles, but they don't blend in as well as some other options.
- If you already need to replace your roof to go solar and you're concerned about solar panel aesthetics, solar shingles are probably worth it.
What are solar shingles–and how are they different from solar panels?
Apart from their appearance, solar shingles and solar panels are pretty similar. They both use the sun's energy to generate electricity, lower your carbon footprint, and save you money on your electricity bills. They're also both eligible for the same incentives, like the 30% federal solar tax credit, net metering, and most state and local incentives.
Unlike traditional solar panels, solar shingles are building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs), which means they integrate directly into your roof. They're lower profile and more discrete.
Solar shingles vs. solar panels
| Traditional solar panels | Solar shingles | |
|---|---|---|
| Roof shingle integration | No | Typically yes, or low-profile |
| Cost | $$ | $$$ |
| Power per square foot | Can be 20+ W/ sq ft | Most are less than 16 W/ sq ft |
| Color | Black or blue | Typically black |
| Eligibility for incentives | Yes | Yes |
| Availability | Available nationwide right now | Some brands are available nationwide, but typically long wait times |
| Durability | High | High |
| Roof compatibility | High | Low |
Are solar shingles worth it?
In general, we recommend sticking with traditional solar panels. Solar shingles don't produce as much electricity, and they cost more. But if aesthetics are important to you or you need a solar option that blends in with your roof due to HOA requirements, go for it. Just be on the lookout for shingles that blend in with your specific roof type.
Pros of solar shingles
- They blend in better than traditional solar panels.
If you're concerned about putting bulkier solar panels on top of your roof, solar shingles might be for you. Products like the Tesla Solar Roof are much sleeker than traditional panels and easily blend in with your roof, making them a great choice if you're subject to specific HOA requirements.
- They're more durable than typical roof shingles.
Solar shingles are often more durable than regular shingles made of asphalt. Some manufacturers even claim that their solar shingles can withstand extreme weather and are fire-resistant. Solar shingles are also light, making them ideal for the relatively rare homes that can't support the weight of solar panels.
- They can be cost-competitive with a roof replacement and solar panels.
If your roof is on the older side, you'll probably need to replace it before going solar. This can easily add $10,000 to your bill.
When you install solar shingles, you also get a brand-new, more durable roof as part of the deal. In some cases, this can be almost as cost-effective as installing solar panels and building a new roof to go along with them. This isn't always the case, and solar shingles are usually still a bit more, but a solar shingle installation can be a good choice for older homes needing roof repairs or a new roof installation.
Cons of solar shingles
- They're expensive.
The biggest sticking point for solar shingles is the cost. They're usually more complicated to install than traditional solar panels, and there are fewer solar shingle brands on the market, which drives up the price. Customers have noted a stark increase in Tesla Solar Roof prices in the last few years, with many people receiving six-figure quotes surpassing $200,000 for an installation. By comparison, an 11 kW system with REC Group solar panels (one of the top brands) costs about $29,500 before incentives.
- They produce less energy than typical solar panels.
Solar shingles sacrifice efficiency (how well they convert solar energy into electricity) and energy production (their total power output) for their sleek aesthetics. Today, the best solar panels are over 22% efficient and produce over 20 watts per square foot. Solar shingles are typically less than 20% efficient and can only produce up to 16 watts per square foot.
- They don't work for every roof material.
Most solar shingles replace standard black asphalt shingle roofing. GAF brand shingles come in multiple colors, but you're still quite limited in solar shingle shapes and colors. If you have a flat roof or want a terracotta roof, shingles probably won't work for you right now.
On the other hand, you can mount [solar panels on many different roof designs](/content/solar/ installing-solar-panels-on-different-roof-types/index.html), from flat to asphalt to metal. They're ideal for an existing roof, while solar shingles are better suited for new construction or replacing your older roof.
What are the best solar shingles?
If you're committed to solar shingles, our top pick is CertainTeed's Solstice Shingles. It's also worth looking at Tesla for its warranty, SunTegra if you want American-made shingles, LUMA for its wind rating, and GAF if you want different color options.
Best solar shingles, compared
| Product | Power output (W/shingle) | Efficiency (%) | Exposed size (sq ft) | W/sq ft | Product warranty | Power warranty | Wind rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional solar panels (REC Alpha Pure 2) | 430 W | 22.2% | 20.8 sq ft | 20.7 W/sq ft | 25 years | 92% at year 25 | ~180 mph |
| CertainTeed Solstice Shingle | 70 W | 19.85% | 4.35 sq ft | 16.1 W/sq ft | 25 years | 85% at year 25 | 110 mph (warrantied for 10 years) |
| LUMA Solar shingle | 100 W | 22.1% | 6.19 sq ft | 16.2 W/sq ft | 5 years | 80% at year 25 | 200+ mph |
| Tesla Solar Roof shingle | 72 W | Not disclosed | 4.69 sq ft | 15.4 W/sq ft | 25 years | 85% at year 25 | 110 mph (warrantied for 25 years) |
| SunTegra Solar Shingle | 114 W | 17.2% | 7.15 sq ft | 15.9 W/sq ft | 10 years | Not disclosed how much at year 25 | 130 mph |
| GAF solar shingle | 45 W | Not disclosed | 3.15 sq ft | 14.3 W/sq ft | 25 years | 84.8% at year 25 | 130 mph (warrantied for 15 years) |
1. CertainTeed
CertainTeed's Solstice Shingle tops the list in terms of performance. The 70-watt (W) solar shingle offers 16.1 watts per square foot, one of the highest output on our list. They blend in with standard black asphalt shingles, come with a strong warranty, and they're available nationwide.
CertainTeed is originally a roofing company and it also offers traditional solar panels, so you can feel confident that the company knows how to make both roof shingles and solar products.
CertainTeed solar shingles are also relatively affordable compared to some other brands on our list. According to CertainTeed's team, a Solstice Shingle system costs about "$4.50/W with $45K being the average cost for a 10 kW system" before incentives.
2. LUMA Solar
LUMA is a luxury solar roofing company. It's the only company that allows you to add solar shingles to your current roof, regardless of the roofing material. LUMA's shingles are installed like traditional metal roofing and, similar to Tesla shingles, blend in very well. They offer the highest performance on our list at 16.2 watts per square foot but only come with a 5-year product warranty.
Of the solar shingles on our list, LUMA shingles offer the highest wind rating. It's Miami-Dade County-approved, which means it can withstand winds over 200 mph. LUMA doesn't require a battery with its solar roof, but if you'd like to add one, it's compatible with Generac, LG Chem, Enphase, and Sonnen batteries.
3. Tesla
The Tesla Solar Roof is the best-known solar shingle, but it has yet to live up to the hype. Elon Musk had high hopes for the Solar Roof, claiming Tesla would be installing 1,000 each week back in 2020. However, according to Wood Mackenzie, Tesla only installed 3,000 Solar Roofs in total between 2017 and 2022.
Customers have noted a stark increase in Tesla Solar Roof prices in the last few years, with many people receiving six-figure quotes surpassing $200,000 for an installation. By comparison, an 11 kW system with REC Group solar panels (one of the top brands) costs about $29,500 before incentives.
The Solar Roof's performance is average at 15.4 W/square foot. Compared to some shingles on our list, they blend in really well with the roof, but they're also the most complicated to install, which drives up the price.
Other than aesthetics, the Solar Roof's biggest selling point is its warranty. Tesla guarantees its shingles will be defect-free, withstand 110 mph winds, and produce at least 85% of their original output at year 25. The wind rating warranty is the longest in the industry.
4. SunTegra
SunTegra's Solar Shingle comes in second in terms of performance at 15.9 watts per square foot but still falls behind Tesla because it only offers a 10-year product warranty. SunTegra also doesn't disclose how much power its shingles will produce at year 25. The shingles are the largest on our list, which means they don't blend in as well as some other options.
SunTegra also offers Solar Tiles, which don't perform as well as its Solar Shingles (14.1 W/square foot), but blend in better. They look great with slate tile roofs and can even work with clay tile roofs, though they're more conspicuous. Both solar roof products are designed, engineered, and assembled in America, according to SunTegra.
5. GAF Energy
GAF Energy's Timberline Solar roofing system provides the most customization, with four different colors available. Originally a roofing company, GAF offers shingles that are sleek and recessed, though they do still stand out against asphalt shingles. It has one of the lowest power outputs per square foot at just 14.6. It's also not available nationwide. You'll need to live in California, Colorado, Texas, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or New York to install Timberline shingles.
Our biggest concern with GAF is that in spring 2023, it voluntarily recalled two components found in all Timberline Solar roofing systems installed between November 2021 and April 2023. The company stated that the components posed a fire hazard and powered down all recalled systems. GAF claims to have fixed the problem and is issuing free repairs with a six to eight-week wait time.
According to GAF, its solar roof is “designed to be affordable” and can be attached using only a nail gun, which makes it easy to install and helps cut costs. GAF claims that its prices are comparable to a new roof plus traditional rack-mounted solar, but you should still expect to pay $40,000 to $100,000 for a full Timberline Solar roof system.
How to choose the right solar shingles for you
CertainTeed's solar shingles are our top pick, but that doesn't mean they're the best solar shingles for your home. You should also consider aesthetics, warranty, wind rating, cost, availability, and cell type when choosing a solar roof product.
Performance
When assessing performance, a solar shingle's total power output or wattage and its efficiency are both important. Each type of solar shingle varies so much in size that the best indicator of performance is power output per square foot of exposed shingle. LUMA’s shingle tops the list at 16.2 watts per sq. ft., while GAF’s comes in last with 14.6 watts per sq. ft.
Aesthetics
If you're choosing solar shingles over solar panels for aesthetics, you probably want the ones that will blend in the best with your roof, even if it means sacrificing performance a bit. We think Tesla and LUMA shingles are the most unobtrusive, but your roof might look the best with one of the other solar shingles on our list. It varies by house and by the design of your existing roof.
Warranty
There are three different warranties to compare for solar roofs. The product warranty ensures the shingles will be defect-free for the period specified. CertainTeed, Tesla, and GAF all offer 25-year product warranties. The power warranty guarantees the solar shingles will output a certain amount of power by year 25. CertainTeed and Tesla both guarantee 85%. Finally, CertainTeed, Tesla, and GAF all also offer wind warranties. Tesla's is the strongest, guaranteeing its shingles can withstand 110 mph winds for 25 years.
Wind rating
In places prone to hurricanes, wind ratings are important. LUMA's shingles are rated the highest, approved by Miami-Dade County to withstand 200 mph winds. However, LUNA's wind rating isn't covered under warranty, unlike CertainTeed, Tesla, and GAF.
Cost
Most solar shingle companies don't disclose pricing publicly, but here’s what we’ve gathered:
CertainTeed shared its pricing with us, and it's pretty close to a new solar system with a roof replacement: For a 10 kW system, you should expect to pay about $45,000 before incentives.
GAF doesn't publicly share its pricing data, but in the 2023 recall of its products, the Consumer Product Safety Commission shared that systems installed so far have ranged in price from $40,000, which is a great price, to $100,000, which is high but could be due to a large system size.
Tesla no longer offers its solar roof calculator, but many people on Reddit have shared Solar Roof quotes that exceed $200,000.
Availability
Solar shingles are not produced at a large scale yet, rolling out very slowly and in limited geographies. They're often very hard to install, so installers usually need to have roofing experience in addition to electrical experience. Some homeowners have been on waiting lists for years, with no clear idea about when they'll receive their shingles, but some brands like CertainTeed are now readily available nationwide, with no waitlist.
Cell type
Solar shingles can be made of CIGS cells (copper indium gallium selenide) or monocrystalline silicon cells like higher-end solar panels. Shingles made with CIGS cells are thin and flexible and have a high conversion efficiency, but they're rare because they cost a lot to produce. Monocrystalline solar shingles are also very efficient and are typically more expensive than CIGS shingles. All of the shingles on our list use monocrystalline cells, except Tesla which doesn't disclose its cell type but is likely monocrystalline based on its efficiency and cost.
Frequently asked questions about solar shingles
How much do solar shingles cost?
Solar shingles can cost anywhere from $40,000 to over $300,000 for a full system before incentives. This is significantly more than the average pre-incentive cost of solar panels which is $29,926 for an 11 kW system. The cost for panels doesn't include full roof removal and replacement, but you'll need to spend more for shingles to generate the equivalent amount of electricity as you will for a panel system.
How much can you save on energy costs with solar shingles?
If you have a big enough roof and properly size your solar shingle system, you could owe nothing on your electric bills. Over 30 years, you could save between $28,000 to over $120,000 on electricity costs.
How many solar shingles do you need?
This depends on the shingle you choose and how much electricity you use. If you want to power your whole house, your system will need to be large enough to cover all your energy needs. You'll get more power out of your roof by installing solar panels instead of solar shingles.
How long do solar shingles last?
Like solar panels, solar shingles are designed to last. Most are covered under warranty for 25 years but can continue producing plenty of energy for over 30 years.
Do solar shingles replace regular roof shingles?
Solar shingles are designed to replace roof shingles. With a full installation, you'll probably have a mix of solar shingles and regular shingles on your roof. Solar panels, on the other hand, are not designed to replace a traditional roof. They can be fitted to a roof, but homeowners should expect damage if a solar panel system is used as their primary roofing material.