It is essential to understand that solar shingles are the perfect addition and upgrade that you can make for your house or commercial building.
The idea is that you will get regular shingles similar to traditional ones when it comes to durability and strength, with the ability to generate solar electricity by using the latest technological advancements.
In case you are living in areas with long sunny days throughout the year, this particular roofing material can quickly provide you return on investment in the next years. On the other hand, you can combine two previously independent additions: solar panels and shingles.
You can use it as a primary roofing material, or to replace the conventional ones in limited areas on your roof. The best way to learn everything about solar shingles is by clicking here for more information.
Should You Use Solar Shingles As Primary Roofing Material?
Back in the day, they were not durable and strong enough to withstand harsh weather conditions, which is why people mostly installed them over separate roofing material.
On the other hand, today, you can find ones that come from rigid materials that will replace the need for additional layers. Finally, you can rest assured and install it instead of other roofing materials, and not on top of them as before.
It means that you can cover the entire roof with solar shingles, which will ultimately help you reduce energy expenses for years in the future. However, the main disadvantage is the expensive price tag that comes with them.
Advantages of Solar Shingles
As you can see from everything we have mentioned above, the main advantage of using solar shingles apart from the ability to generate electricity is an odd appearance.
Not everyone who looks at them from the street will notice the difference when compared with traditional roofing materials.
You can find solar shingles in numerous styles that can easily mimic slate and tile similarly as asphalt ones. One of the most neglected benefits of this particular type of shingles is their incredible toughness due to the significant layer of quartz glass.
It makes them one of the most durable and most robust materials that you can find currently on the market.
1. Power Generation
You can use them for both off-grid and grid-tied PV systems. When it comes to grid-tied, it means that you have to connect to the local utility power grid and deliver additional electricity you collect to the network.
In some places, you can get payments and credits for additional power you send to the grid. Remember that the main idea is that the grid system will rely on the already established network for operation, which means that they will not work in case of a power outage.
On the other hand, the off-grid system does not require a connection to any power grid, which means that you should use solar electricity to charge large batteries that will maintain electricity.
The home tends to draw power from batteries, and these systems are conventional in remote and rural areas where the grid connection is unavailable.
Check out this site: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/solar-panel-design-ideas-your-home and you will learn more about solar panel design ideas.
Both systems will generate DC (direct current) power and convert it into alternating current (AC) by using inverter your household owns. The overall size depends on the percentage of the roof covered with solar shingles, and it will depend on your annual electricity usage.
2. Aesthetics
Similarly, as we have mentioned above, solar roofing systems are aesthetically pleasing the same as traditional shingles. It is also a much more useful solution and you can find numerous designs depending on what you wish to achieve.
Finally, you will be able to conserve energy and increase your home appeal, which will ultimately increase its market value when compared with the ones that have traditional roofing systems.
3. Durable
It is essential to have in mind that solar roofing comes with three decades of life expectancy, which means that when you install it, you will be able to rest assured for the next year.
Most tiles are replaceable in case of damage, so you have to conduct regular maintenance and inspections by finding Plano roof services contractors that will handle everything you need.
It will insulate you against weather damage, which is of utmost importance, especially since the first versions of solar shingles were an addition to the already existing system.
Even though you should consider an initial investment, in the end, you will be able to earn more money than before.