All You Need To Know: Solar Shingles
Solar panels get a lot of attention, but like Blackberry in 2002, you should know the future is just around the corner in iPhone. In this case panels are widely available and dirt cheap, but solar shingles are the future. They launched in earnest in the last couple years and are getting perfected as we speak.
As you can see above, solar shingles look great and avoid the pesky balancing act of roof + solar panel maintenance. They weigh the same as a regular shingle, are just as tough, last 25+ years, and make your house look immediately modern.
Are they right for you? It’s simple, do you need a new roof? Do you have extra money to do it right and future proof yourself for the next 25 years? If you answered yes then solar shingles are right for you. We won’t bore you with the specs and materials, just know they are awesome!
Here are the brands and the pros and cons to get your shopping process started. Check out Tesla and Luma, ignore CetainTeed and SunTegra until they have a good looking integrated system.
Tesla
They championed the idea first and is the furthest along with development.
Pros:
The company will be around in 25 years to service your roof
They’re integrated with the best home batteries and app for managing excess power
They max out your roof kWh capability as a policy (we ordered 18 kWh, got 24 kWh system at no extra charge)
Con:
More expensive than a panel and requires more time to install
Luma
The only other show in town for the US, their system is integrated although the solar sections are more visible.
Pro:
System is integrated and all the parts look good as a complete system
Integrates with Enphase storage and app
Con:
Solar sections are quite visible from many angles and battery storage options are sub optimal
Honorable Mention
Sunstyle
They are most known for their commercial dragon scale system on the Google campus headquarters seen above. They don’t operate their residential business in the US yet, but the look is cool and we home they come here soon!
