Solar shingles, also called photovoltaic shingles, are solar panels designed to look like and function as conventional roofing materials, such as asphalt shingle or slate, while also producing electricity. Solar shingles are a type of solar energy solution known as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).

Solar shingles have been commercially available since 2005. They are designed by merging solar panels with the roof instead of just mounting them on top of it.The thinness of these solar cells makes them lighter and more flexible.

All solar shingles are designed to function as both roofing materials and power sources, but they can achieve that dual purpose in a few ways. Some solar shingles use silicon as a semiconductor, as do most conventional solar panels. Others rely on thin-film solar cells, which feature super-thin layers of certain photovoltaic materials.

There are several varieties of solar shingles, including shingle-sized solid panels that take the place of a number of conventional shingles in a strip, semi-rigid designs containing several silicon solar cells that are sized more like conventional shingles, and newer systems using various thin-film solar cell technologies that match conventional shingles both in size.

ADVANTAGES

Aesthetics – solar shingles enable homeowners to generate electricity with a sleek roof.

Endurance – many solar shingles are designed to withstand hail and hurricane-force winds, which can be difficult for mounted panels.

DISADVANTAGES

Cost – renders solar shingles impractical in many cases unless they’re part of a newly constructed or rebuilt roof.

Availability – solar shingles may not be offered by some solar installers, and the cost can vary widely between providers.

Efficiency – there can be issues with sunlight exposure depending on the slope of the roof.