Leading companies like Tesla expect solar roof tiles to last for at least 30 years. Also, their durability has been proven over the years, as they have been in residential usage since 2005. Solar panels typically come with a 20-25 year warranty. This ratio has come down as the technology has progressed. When solar roof tiles were first introduced in 2011, they cost almost twice as much as solar panels.On the other hand, solar roof tiles are a part of the construction cost. They hence add on top of the construction cost. Solar panels are installed on a finished roof.The installation costs of solar panels are significantly lower than solar roof tiles. Hence, the amount of sunlight they catch is influenced by geography and roof design/orientation. Solar roof tiles are generally considered less effective than solar panels, simply because they are not be suitable for every kind of roof design.Īlso, they are built into the roofing material so there is no possibility for the tile to be turned/ re-oriented after installation. The panels can be individually turned to face the sun in order to catch maximum sunlight.They are installed on top of an existing roof using brackets, and are hence unaffected by the base roofing material.The market is optimistic on the possibility of having solar tiles for part-roof replacement available soon.Īt present, solar panels are considered more effective in producing solar energy, for a couple of reasons. Again, these are initial pains associated with new technology. They are also fewer companies familiar with this technology, making it difficult to find a local contractor for installation. This makes them ideal for new construction or in cases where the homeowner has decided to replace the whole roof. (They are used in lieu of traditional asphalt roofs, in a BIPV system.)Īlso, they are limitations on the type of roofs that suit solar tiles in order to be effective. Solar roof tiles are a part of the roofing material, and typically need to cover the entire roof.
In fact, the amount of solar panels required can significantly vary, based on the size of the home, and energy requirements of individual homeowners. Accordingly, there are more contractors familiar with their installation.Īlso, they can be installed on almost any roof, and do not need to cover the entire roof to be effective. Solar panels are an older, more stable technology, extensively used in residential construction since 2005. This makes them stand out, which has less universal appeal with homeowners. They are also installed on brackets on top of an existing/ finished roof. On the other hand, solar panels are available only in the traditional black/blue colors. However, Tesla – the leading American manufacturer in solar systems – has hinted on the possibility of offering solar roof tiles of varying colors and textures, in the near future. They presently come in varying shades of blue and black, as they take on the color of the solar cells. Solar roof tiles are intentionally designed to look a lot like asphalt shingles, so they look similar to a traditional roof. This also means that there are still some unknowns associated with their usage. This makes them “cooler” for those who wish to keep on top of environment-friendly technology. On the other hand, solar roof tiles have been used for less than a decade in residential construction (debuting in 2011 in Colorado). The technology is hence stable and offers fewer surprises. Solar panels have been widely used in residential buildings, since the mid 2000’s. Solar roof tiles are presently considered the “in thing”, also because they are the newer technology. This guide compares the two using 7 critical factors. These are some of the questions that baffle homeowners when they consider choosing between solar roof tiles and traditional solar panels. Are solar roof tiles more effective than solar panels?.This is different from solar panels, which are installed on an existing roof. These solar tiles can also be integrated and used along with traditional roofing material, and are hence considered a “building-integrated photovoltaic” (BIPV) system. Solar roof tiles are a relatively recent development, stirring the curiosity of many homeowners considering solar installations.
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