Solar power comes in so many different shapes and sizes. Over the last two decades, solar panel technology has given rise to some amazing innovations. The advancement of Photovoltaic Cells has made it possible for 100% solar energy to become not only possible but affordable for many Americans.

Different sizes, shapes, and wattages have made solar energy one of the most customizable energy resources available. Of course, it is nice to have options, but when it comes to Solar Shingles vs. Solar Panels, it can sometimes be hard to choose.

Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of using both solar shingles and solar panels. Ultimately, though, your decision will come from the specific needs of your home and lifestyle.

Solar Shingles

Solar shingles are a new concept, as the first working solar shingle project was completed in 2011. Instead of being mounted on the roof, or a high hill like solar panels, solar shingles are installed in place of the shingles you currently have on your roof. Solar shingles are aesthetically pleasing and protect your home just like an asphalt roof.

Depending on the sun exposure, the pitch of your roof, and the specific solar panels you choose to install will decide the wattage you receive from the solar shingles. The current solar shingles produce between 13 and 63 watts of energy, which is a big difference, especially for the investment.

However, having a professional come out to assess your home is a good way to decide whether the conditions of your home is worth the investment.

Pros of Solar Shingles

There are plenty of pros to solar shingles, as they are designed with the knowledge of solar panels backing them. Here are some of the most engaging pros of solar shingles:

Dual Purpose:

One of the main benefits of solar shingles (or solar roofs) is that they serve a dual purpose and under the right conditions, they serve that purpose well. Solar shingles can protect your home and make it energy efficient with one installation.

Durability Against Water and Wind:

Solar shingles help to protect the house from water and wind damage but they are also highly effective at protecting their solar properties too. Some of the best solar panels on the market are extremely water-tight and can withstand 130 MPH wind gusts.

Protects Against Critters in Your Solar:

While birds are going to do their business wherever they please, a problem with solar panels is that critters can also make nests, in and around them. With solar tiles or shingles, you don’t have to worry about nest-making, which is a common reason for the premature breakdown of a solar panel system.

Cons of Solar Shingles

Solar shingles are a great option for some people. However, that doesn’t mean they are completely free of criticism. Here are a few common cons that come with the installation of solar shingles:

Cost:

While this con can be debatable, there is no question that solar shingles are much more expensive than solar panels. Typically, solar shingles cost around $50,000. However, you have to remember that they are the price of a new roof, in most instances, and solar panels. If your home doesn’t need a new roof though, this is a lot of money to put out for just making your home solar efficient.

Shorter Lifespan:

Solar shingles are only guaranteed to last 25 years but since solar science is so new, no one really even knows if they will last that long. There needs to be significantly more testing and time to tell the true length of the lifespan of the solar shingles. Although, experts are already proclaiming that there is a shorter lifespan for solar shingles, so that doesn’t bode particularly well for this higher cost solar option.

Limited Options:

One of the best things about solar panels is that there are many different options. A home could be partially solar or 100% solar, depending on the specific needs of the homeowner. Unfortunately, solar shingles are not as versatile. The only thing that solar shingles are good for is being shingles. Although, shingles (and panels) are being revolutionized constantly. So, options could expand for shingles specifically as technology advances.

Solar Panels

Even though the last twenty years has helped solar panels become mainstream, the concept and even use of solar energy have been around for a long time. There are still working solar panels that were created over forty years ago. Granted, the wattage and efficiency were significantly less than the solar panels being created now, the durability has extended well past the thirty-year warranty.

Pros of Solar Panels

Solar panels have a lot going for them. Even with the aesthetics of solar shingles, there are still some major pros to keeping with the tried and true solar panel design:

Cost:

Since 2008, solar panels have taken a nosedive in price (while the panel’s wattage and efficiency have increased). Currently, the average household can get solar panels put on their home, to replace traditional electricity sources for between $9,000 and $26,800 in total installation costs.

Efficiency:

Solar panels, as of the technology that is available in 2020, are more efficient than solar shingles. The technology has been around for longer and the wattage, as well as efficiency, has many more options. Plus, solar panels are physically more versatile, as panels can be angled differently to get the right amount of sun to work their best throughout the day.

Ease of Professional Installation:

Solar panels have been around the longest, which means it is much easier to find qualified people to install solar panels. Contractors started installing solar panels in 2005. So, most contractors have a fair amount of experience with the installation of solar panels in their array of sizes and shapes.

Cons of Solar Panels

While solar panels are proven to work well, there are a few cons to solar panels that are important to discuss:

Not Aesthetically Pleasing:

Most of the time, aesthetics shouldn’t get in the way of doing what you want. However, when it comes to something being mounted on your house, you need to decide whether that is something you want. Most of the time, there is no doubt that you have solar panels on your roof, once they are installed.

May Need Maintenance that Can be Costly:

Solar energy can be low-maintenance, but if your solar panels get dirty, they become less effective. Therefore, to avoid going up on your roof (and possibly so you don’t void your warranty) you will need to hire a crew to clean your solar panels and this could be costly. While the same might be true for solar shingles, they are much easier to clean and more water-tight than solar panels.

Critters Can Live Here:

Squirrels, birds, and other critters often find solar panels to be nice places to nest and live throughout the year. This is not good because, not only are they dirtying your solar panels, the more time they spend there, the more the likelihood is that they will scratch or otherwise damage your panels.

To close, solar energy is a great alternative to traditional energy sources and it is an industry that continues to evolve. Currently, the decision to install either solar shingles or solar panels depends on your situation and preference.