Solar Shingles vs. Solar Panels

What are solar shingles?

Solar shingles are small photovoltaic (PV) panels that double as roof tiles. They do two jobs at once: make electricity from sunlight and protect your home from weather.

“Solar shingles can be an excellent investment, especially if you’re building a new roof or replacing an old one,” Jesse Silkoff, CEO of MyRoofingPal, a company that connects roofing contractors with customers, said. “They merge better with building design and offer a more sleek and attractive aesthetic than solar panels, and the upkeep tends to be easier.”

Solar roof shingles vs. traditional solar panels

Solar panels and solar shingles work similarly. The biggest difference is in how they’re installed. Solar panels sit on top of your roof with a frame system, while solar shingles actually replace your roofing tiles or shingles — they essentially become your roof.

Compare at a glance

Think of it this way: Panels are like adding a hat to your roof. Shingles are your roof.

Performance: Panels take the lead

Solar panels are more efficient than solar shingles. This means they make more electricity from the same amount of sunlight.

However, you can fit more solar shingles on your roof than panels. So, while each shingle makes less power, having more of them can make up the difference. In other words, panels give you more bang for your buck when it comes to electricity production.

Costs: Shingles cost more (but there’s a catch)

Solar shingles cost more than solar panels upfront. The average solar panel system costs around $30,000 before considering any financial incentives. Solar shingles can easily cost up to $75,000 or more. As of publishing, solar shingles are priced around $15 to $35 per square foot.

Your final price tag will depend mainly on how much power you want to generate. However, the math changes if your roof needs replacing soon:

• If your roof is in good shape: Stick with panels. They're cheaper, and you won't need to tear off your existing roof.
• If you need a new roof anyway: Solar shingles might make more sense. You're feeding two birds with one scone: getting a new roof AND going solar.

» SHOULD YOU: Replace your roof before going solar?

Lifetime: Both about 20 to 25 years

Both solar panels and solar shingles are designed to last at least 20 years. With solar shingles, you may have to replace defective shingles, but they should remain under warranty for around 20 years.

However, if your roof requires repairs, you have to remove any solar panels and pay to have them reinstalled.

Takeaway

Panels sit above your roof on racks and maximize efficiency at a lower cost. Shingles replace traditional roofing materials, blending into your home’s design while still producing renewable energy.

Installation process: What to expect

Solar panels are installed over your existing roof using a mounting system. It’s a faster installation process (assuming your roof is in good condition).

Solar shingle installation replaces your existing roof entirely, which is why it takes longer and costs more. Here are some additional factors your roofer might consider:

• Equipment size: Solar shingles are smaller than panels. Because they cover less area, a rooftop installation may require more shingles than panels.
• Roof space: Solar panels are more efficient than solar shingles, but a roof can hold more solar shingles than panels. You can make up the difference in efficiency by adding more solar shingles.
• Placement: Generally, solar shingles are placed where they’ll receive the most sun year-round. The same is true for solar panels, but they can tilt to track the sun — solar shingles are set in a fixed position.

Solar shingle pros and cons

Solar shingles are often best suited for homeowners who need a full roof replacement before going solar. They provide the same energy conversion and grid connection benefits as panels but with a more seamless aesthetic.

Solar shingle advantages

Solar shingles generate clean energy while doubling as roofing material, giving homeowners a sleek, low-profile alternative to bulky solar panels. They cut utility costs, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and still maintain the look of a traditional roof.

Panels are usually more cost-effective than shingles, but shingles have more integrated, design-friendly options.

Because they blend in with standard roofing, solar shingles are especially appealing if curb appeal matters. You can cover your entire roof with them, or mix them with regular shingles for partial coverage. Many manufacturers also offer “dummy” shingles, which are identical in appearance but without solar capabilities. That way, your roof maintains a consistent, polished look.

Solar shingle disadvantages

Like panels, shingles can’t store solar power without a battery system. They’re also smaller and less efficient than panels, so you’ll need more shingles to meet the same energy needs. And since they’re flush with your roof, they can’t tilt or adjust to follow the sun.

Bottom line: Which is better?

Solar shingles are a building-integrated photovoltaic alternative to traditional solar panels. It’s a type of solar technology designed to blend seamlessly into conventional roofing materials.

Whether you choose solar panels or shingles depends on your priorities. To determine if the investment in solar is worth it, consider having them installed when your home needs a new roof.

• Choose solar panels if: Your roof is in good condition, you want maximum energy production, you're focused on the lowest upfront cost and appearance isn't your top priority. 

• Choose solar shingles if: You need a new roof anyway, curb appeal matters to you, you don't mind paying extra for style and you want a streamlined, integrated look.