Roof with GAF's TImberline Solar Shingles

Solar Shingles vs. Solar Panels

8 minutes

Solar shingles are solar cells that are integrated into a roofing system and are solar panels that look like shingles and produce an energy output for your home. Solar panels are the more traditional option and are installed on top of the roof. Here we will talk about some of the differences and similarities between solar shingles and solar panels.  

What are Solar Shingles?  

Solar shingles are small-scale panels that can be permanently attached to the roof of a home. Like solar panels, solar shingles use a photovoltaic system to generate energy. Solar shingles are not a new technology on the market but are becoming increasingly popular for their improvements in looks and functionality. They consist of solar cells that are integrated into the roofing system and act as normal shingles but produce an energy output for your home. Solar shingles are less visible on the roof and can be a more aesthetically pleasing option for some homeowners. 

Cost of Solar Roof Shingles vs Panels 

Solar shingles are not a recent technology and have been around for a while, but the biggest drawback was the price and problems with functionality. As technology and solar shingles have advanced over the years and innovative ways to reduce the cost of installation, solar shingles have become more affordable. The cost of solar panels is still a cheaper option, yet the benefits of solar shingles far outweigh the cost. Solar shingles are less visible on the roof and can be a more aesthetically pleasing option for some homeowners.  

Other things to consider when deciding how much a solar shingle system will cost include the size of your home and how many solar shingles you need to get the most sunlight as possible. Something else to consider is that solar shingle installations usually take place during a roof replacement. This is so that the solar shingles do not need to be replaced as soon as possible, which could save you money in the long run. Undoubtedly also increasing the cost of a solar panel or solar shingle installation.  

Benefits of Solar Shingles 

Solar shingles offer a variety of benefits to customers who are looking for ways to save money on their energy bills. Among these benefits are improved home value and attractive aesthetics. 

Home Value  

Solar shingles can increase the resale value of your home. A recent study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that homes with solar energy systems sold 20% faster than homes without solar energy systems. The study also found that solar-powered homes sold for an average of 4.1% more than homes without solar energy systems. This means that if you install a solar shingle system on your home, you could see a return on your investment when you sell your home. Also having solar energy as shingles makes your home much more aesthetically pleasing.  

Environmentally Friendly Solution for Home Energy 

Solar shingles are a great way to produce energy for your home in an environmentally friendly way. Solar shingles are made from silicon, which is a natural element, and they do not produce any emissions when they are generating electricity. This means that solar shingles are a clean and renewable source of energy. Solar shingles are also a wonderful way to reduce your carbon footprint. 

Solar shingles produce no emissions, unlike fossil fuels, which are a leading cause of air pollution. They also have a small carbon footprint, which is the number of greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere.  

Seamless Aesthetic Design 

The main reason homeowners choose solar shingles vs solar panels is that they offer a variety of benefits to customers who are looking for ways to save money on their energy bills. Among these benefits are improved home value and attractive aesthetics. Solar shingles are less visible on the roof and can be a more aesthetically pleasing option for some homeowners. At DaBella our solar shingles are provided by GAF energy and are seamless with the rest of your asphalt shingles. Also, all the wiring is above the shingles and is amazingly easy to repair if ever needed. Solar panel wiring on the other hand is located under the panels which do cause  

Quick and Easy Installation 

GAF’s brand of TImberline® Solar Shingles are extremely easy to install. In fact, they have created the first nailable solar shingles on the market and after installers go through a simple training program by a GAF training professional, they are ready for installation. The solar shingles wiring is next to the solar roofing system and makes the installation even easier and will be much simpler to repair if it were ever needed compared to other brands of solar shingles and solar panels.  

Traditional solar panels require far more nails in your roof than a solar shingle because solar panels are installed over the asphalt or tile roof. This causes much more chances for leaks and other issues during installation.  

Low Failure Rate 

Traditional solar panels and other brands of solar shingles typically use a material that often gets overheated. GAF uses a PERC solar shingle system that does not overheat and reflects light to create even more energy for your home. In addition, GAF provides a 25-year warranty on their solar shingles as well as a 25-year warranty on the output that is generated from their solar roofing system. 

Disadvantages of Solar Shingles 

There are many benefits of Solar Shingles but very few disadvantages to GAF’s Timberline Solar Shingles.  

Cost of Solar shingles compared to Panels 

While the cost of GAF solar shingles is slightly more than panels, their innovative system of solar shingles can easily be repaired. Also, they are much more aesthetically pleasing than traditional solar panels.  

Limited Mobility 

Unfortunately, solar shingles are not as easy to transfer to a new home as solar panels. It is better to leave the solar shingles on the roof as they could help you sell your home in the future. 

Solar shingles vs. Panels. Which is best for my home?  

As you can see, there are many benefits to solar shingles that solar panels really cannot compete with. Solar shingles are a terrific way to reduce your carbon footprint, provide clean and renewable energy, and increase the value of your home. Solar shingles are also a great option for those who are looking for an aesthetically pleasing option. If you are looking for a quick and easy installation, solar shingles are a great option for you. Solar shingles have only a few disadvantages compared to solar panels, but they offer homeowners many more benefits.  

Cost: Solar shingles are a cost-efficient way to power your home with renewable energy. Solar shingles are less expensive to install than solar panels and their price has been steadily decreasing over the past few years. Solar shingles are also a wonderful way to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment.  

Aesthetics: Solar shingles are less visible on the roof and can be a more aesthetically pleasing option for some homeowners as they are seamless to the rest of your roof and blend in better with the rest of the home.  

Durability: Solar shingles are a durable option for your roof. They are made from high-quality materials and are designed to last for many years. In addition, they are easy to repair if ever needed. Solar panels, on the other hand, are not as durable and can be damaged more easily. 

Solar shingles stand out as the best option for most homeowners, offering a cost-effective and visually appealing alternative to traditional solar panels. With lower installation expenses and a sleek appearance that seamlessly integrates with your roof, solar shingles enhance the overall aesthetics of your home. Not only that, but their exceptional durability ensures a long-lasting investment, while their eco-friendly nature allows you to reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a sustainable future. Make the smart choice with solar shingles, and experience the perfect blend of style, savings, and environmental impact for your home.

Contact DaBella Today to Learn More About our Solar Roofing Options 

If you are looking to add outstanding value to your home and want to install a renewable energy system that will last for many years, then you should consider solar shingles. Solar shingles are a low-cost, easy-to-install system that can provide you with clean, renewable energy. Not only are solar shingles a cost-effective way to power your home, but they are also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. solar shingles are less visible on the roof and can be a more aesthetically pleasing option for some homeowners as they are seamless to the rest of your roof and blend in better with the rest of the home.  

DaBella currently provides homeowners located in San Diego California, Sacramento California and Redding California the option to add solar shingles to their roof replacement project. If you are interested in learning what kind of savings that GAF and DaBella can provide you with Timberline Solar Shingles, contact DaBella today at 844-DaBella for a free no-obligation estimate.


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Steven Shortridge

District Manager

Portland, OR

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1-844-DABELLA