If you’d like to speak to somebody about pricing or learn about how solar shingle installation saves energy, LocalRoofs is your local roof repair, replacement, and upgrade specialist. We serve Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the East Bay area. Our trained and certified crews make sure every roof is done right, with high-quality work every time.
Schedule an appointment for a drone tour and free estimate, with a price quote and roofing recommendations. We’ll work with you to create a system that suits your needs, generating energy from the sun and lowering energy costs without adding bulk to your roof.
What Are Solar Shingles?
Solar shingles are a type of small building-integrated photovoltaic panel, or “BIPV,” that converts the sun’s energy into electricity. They work by absorbing sunlight and collecting the energy as DC electricity, which is then converted into AC electricity for use in your house.
This type of solar roofing has been designed to look and function like traditional shingles. It shelters your home from the elements, keeps moisture out, and improves its curb appeal while generating usable electricity.
How Do Solar Shingles Work To Save Energy?
Energy costs are rising throughout the country, but adding solar shingles to your home will lower your monthly bills. These high-tech mini panels work in the following way:
- The sun hits the photovoltaic (PV) cells in the panels.
- The semi-conductive material inside (usually silicon) releases electrons.
- Conductive metal plates catch the electrons, which creates an electrical current.
Key Benefits of Solar Shingles
Along with contributing to your home’s energy efficiency, the key benefits of solar shingles include:
- Immediate energy cost savings
- Durability — some types are stronger than traditional roofing
- Curb appeal — they lay flat on the roof like regular tiles
Potential rebates and credits — find federal tax credits to help offset installation costs
Solar Shingles vs. Traditional Solar Panels
Solar shingles are integrated into the roof design, unlike traditional solar panels, which can be bulky because they’re mounted in frames on top of the roof. Solar shingles blend in more than panels, and they’re lighter, putting less weight on your roof.
Shingles and panels are also made of different materials. The big photovoltaic panels are usually made of silicon, while the shingles may be made from silicon or copper indium gallium selenide, which is lighter and more durable.
The downside to installing solar shingles vs. traditional solar panels is they’re less efficient. Under ideal conditions, solar panels can provide your home with up to 400W of electricity per hour at around 24% efficiency, while each shingle generates anywhere from 13W to 70W at approximately 15% efficiency. This means you’ll need to use more of your roof space for a complete installation of shingles than you would for panels.
How Solar Shingles Reduce Monthly Energy Bills
Solar shingles generate electricity directly from sunlight, so you won’t have to use as much electricity from the utility company. Depending on how many shingles you have installed on your home, your electrical bill may be reduced by between 40% and 60%. Solar shingles are a wise long-term investment, especially if you’re planning to replace your roof anyway.
If you generate more power than you use, you can sell your surplus solar power back to the grid in California. This is called net billing, which gives you credits on your future bills.
Are Solar Shingles Right for Your Home?
Solar shingles might be right for your home if you meet the following criteria.
Your Home Receives a Lot of Sunlight
Solar shingles work best on homes with plenty of direct sunlight, without trees or other buildings obscuring the light rays. Both the direction and pitch of your roof determine how many hours of sun your house receives. The number of panels you can fit onto your roof is determined by its size.
They’re Not Prohibited by your HOA or Other Local Regulations
Some homeowners associations have rules surrounding what you can put on your roof, including solar panels and shingles. It’s a good idea to check your HOA paperwork before committing to solar shingles.
Your Roof Needs to be Installed Now
If your roof is old and will need to be replaced in a couple of years, adding new solar shingles now doesn’t make sense. On the other hand, if you’re ready to redo the roof now, we can easily integrate solar shingles into your home design.
You Want to Save Money on your Energy Bills Without Changing your Home’s Aesthetics
Solar shingles have a low profile and a sleek black color, giving them a barely-there silhouette on your roof. Save money by incorporating solar power into your home without changing its appearance.
Contact LocalRoofs for Solar Shingle Installation in California
If you’re interested in learning more about the energy efficiency of solar shingles or if you’re ready to receive your free estimate, contact LocalRoofs. We’re located in the Los Angeles area, locally owned and operated, and we take pride in serving Californians like you every day.
Our expert team of installers will put in your new shingles with a 25-year leak-free warranty on products and labor. As homeowners, we understand how big of an investment new roofing is and how important your home is to you. This is why we always do our best work. We provide flexible low- or no-interest financing options for qualifying customers to take the stress out of the upgrading process.
We’ve been installing, repairing, and replacing roofing since 1972. We’re licensed and insured, so you can feel confident in our expertise and professionalism. If you’re ready to reduce energy costs with solar shingles, give us a call. Your home is in good hands with LocalRoofs.
