With all the incredible innovative advances made over the last decade in solar technology, solar roofs are now more affordable than ever. This is thanks to solar shingles, which are a new roofing material that saves energy and reduces electricity costs for homeowners. Read on to learn more about solar shingles and where to get reliable roofing advice for your home or building.
The advent of solar powered roofs
In the past, most people imagined large blue incandescent panels on top of a house or building when thinking about solar energy. But in today’s world, that’s no longer the only option for home solar. On the other hand, that technology has been the inspiration for the rise of a new and improved type of solar energy known as solar tiles.
Solar roofing shingles are basically photovoltaic cells that have been specifically designed to resemble asphalt roofing shingles. Its appearance was the result of improvements made in the field of thin-film photovoltaics. Homeowners are drawn to this technology for many reasons, with solar shingles providing a long list of benefits.
Benefits of Solar Powered Roofing Shingles
Solar shingles are flexible and lightweight, making them easy to install. When it comes to integrating them with regular asphalt shingles, the incorporation is pretty much seamless; You can hardly tell the difference between one shingle and another, especially on roofing systems that are dark in color. In fact, they tend to look better on darker ceilings.
Solar roof shingles are not only aesthetically pleasing compared to the old bulky solar energy technology, but they are also economically beneficial. They can save homeowners money on energy costs by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. Homeowners may even be eligible for certain solar tax credits.
Installations
In most cases, solar shingles are applied with an existing electrical grid to ensure your home has power even when there is no sun. In the lucky case that you generate more power than you actually use, you may have the option of selling it to the power company. Although solar shingles are known for their ease of installation, they can only be installed by qualified roofing contractors who are licensed and experienced in the industry.
In addition to a licensed roofing company, you’ll also need an electrician to hook everything up to your electrical system for you. In general, you can expect them to install an “inverter”, which will convert the electrical current generated to standard AC power.
talk to a professional
Solar-powered roofing systems are expensive up front, but can provide homeowners with lifetime savings. Since it is such a large investment, it is important to fully weigh your options before making a final purchase decision. Talk to a trusted, local roofing contractor for professional advice and recommendations you can trust.
