So you want to spend less on your electricity bill and become eco-friendly at the same time?
You guessed it! The solution is solar power.
But there is a lot of homework ahead of you! First, you need to figure out if solar shingles are a good fit for your home or business, and then you have to decide on the brand and product.
Well, we hope to demystify solar shingles for you and answer the question, “Are rooftop solar panels a good idea?” Let’s discuss the common factors that sway customer’s decisions and let you decide for yourself.
Aesthetics of Rooftop Solar Panels
As economical as solar panels are to purchase and install, they stand out on your property. They are a great option for people on a budget who want to reap the benefits of solar power, but they aren’t exactly pretty.
If you love the idea of solar power but think solar panels are ugly and have no place on your property, solar panels and tiles are your best option.
Unlike bulky panels, solar panels cover the entire roof in a uniform look that blends in with the roof design. They also increase curb appeal.
Return on Investment
350 solar panels can lower your energy bill between 40% and 70% depending on the brand and product you choose.
They can save you an immense amount of money in the long run, especially considering that a solar shingle roof typically lasts 20 years or more.
Since solar power has become a “hot” topic in real estate, having solar-powered anything will increase the value of the property.
So if you plan to sell in the future, this is a renovation project that will pay you back again and again.
Rooftop Solar Panels – Options
When you decide to have solar panels installed on your roof, you get to further customize your experience.
Choose your power output from a range that averages between 13 to 63 watts.
The shingle materials also vary. The most popular materials on the market today are TFSC and Mono Si cells.
Copper indium gallium selenide makes up the flexible TFSC which stands for: “Thin Film Solar Cells.” This material has efficiency rates between 10% and 12%, plus they are flexible and lightweight.
You may have heard of Mono Si before because they make microchips out of it. The official name is monocrystalline silicon. It’s more expensive but for a good reason. Mono Si is a natural semiconductor and has efficiency rates between 15% and 20%!
Roof Replacement or Roof Add-On
Solar panels look beautiful and generate power for your home, but most are built to capture solar energy, not to protect your building from the elements. We say “most” because Tesla has developed a solar tile that replaces clay or concrete tiles.
Tesla’s solar tiles claim to be durable too, offering a lifetime warranty on its ability to function as a roof, but only a 30-year warranty on the solar power aspect of the product.
So are they worth it? It depends on your budget. If spending $21 per square foot sounds reasonable to you, then maybe. But few can afford to spend that kind of money, even if they receive a 26% solar tax credit at the end of the year.
That’s why many brands create solar panels that fit over your existing roof. They act as additional protection if properly installed, but that isn’t how the manufacturers market them.
The Roofing Beneath
Before you hire a contractor to install hundreds of solar panels, make sure that your current roofing materials will last just as long. If you have an asphalt shingle roof that is deteriorating, it will fall apart under the solar panels well before the solar panels need to be replaced.
For this reason, it’s best to plan for solar panels after you install a new rooftop. That way, the solar panels will be replaced at the same time or before your roof gives out.
In Conclusion
A good idea for you may be a bad idea for someone else. Only you can decide if a solar power panel rooftop is right for you.
If you want to find an attractive alternative to solar panels, save money on your electricity bill, and improve the perceived value of your home or business, solar power shingles are a brilliant investment.
You have so many solar-powered brands and products available. Discovering the best solar power panels for your home or business is only a call away.
Looking for a reputable roofing contractor for a rooftop solar panel installation? Roofing Recovery is one of the outstanding roofing contractors in South Florida with superb quality, customer service, and extensive experience. Call 954-799-4069 to request a quote today!
