Solar roof tiles have grown in popularity since they were first introduced to the market in 2016. Part of that growth is due to Tesla which has popularized electric cars and solar. Before Tesla and of course, Elon Musk, electric cars, and solar panels were perceived as boring and ugly.
Thanks to Tesla both concepts have had a facelift and now look sleek and futuristic. In this article, we take a closer look at solar roof tiles. Are they worth it and if so where do you buy them?
Since 2016, more companies have started manufacturing solar roof tiles. Now one can buy solar roof tiles not just from Tesla but from companies like SunTegra and Luma. There is more competition in the solar roof space which means more options, cheaper prices, and better products.
How much can you expect to pay for a solar roof tile and how does the cost compare against conventional solar panels? Read on to find out.
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What Is A Solar Tile Roof?
Solar roof tiles are what is known as Building Integrated Photovoltaics or BIPVs. These are solar cells that are designed to blend seamlessly into the environment by looking like a part of the building. This may be glass, fabric, or in the case of solar roofs, roof tiles.
Solar roofs are made from both conventional tiles and solar tiles that look exactly like conventional tiles. The conventional tiles are inactive since they do not produce energy. The solar tiles are active. Only a small percentage of a solar roof has active solar tiles.
The reason for this is that covering your entire roof in active tiles would produce far more energy than you would need.
What are solar tiles made from?
Solar tiles are made from either Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) which is a type of thin-film solar cell or monocrystalline which is a type of crystalline silicon solar cell. CIGS solar tiles are less efficient, averaging around 10-12% efficiency compared to monocrystalline which has an efficiency of between 18-20%.
For more on this topic, we highly recommend that you check out our post ” What Are The Best Solar Roof Panel Types? Most Important Selection Criteria!
How Much Is A Solar Tile Roof?
Solar roof tiles cost between $30,000 to $70,000 or $1,100 to $2,500 per square foot. The average cost for a standard single-story home is $45,000. This excludes installation and the price varies depending on roof size, and slope.
Solar incentives can reduce the final costs by up to 30% depending on your location. Solar systems are covered by several incentives which were introduced to encourage investment in solar. These include:
- The Federal Solar Tax Credit. In terms of this tax credit, you can claim against your federal income taxes, a percentage of the cost of a solar system. As of 2022, the credit stands at 26% for systems installed between 2020-2022. The credit will be reduced to 22% for systems installed in 2023 before it’s finally removed in 2024. Source
- Utility rebates or subsidies are given by your utility to install a solar system.
- State tax credits are claimed against the cost of a solar system on your state income taxes. This is a separate credit from a federal tax credit.
Combined, these incentives have can reduce the cost of a solar system by up to 45% in some cases. It’s important to note that the federal solar tax credit applies throughout the U.S while state tax credits are applied in certain states. Source
Where Can You Buy Solar Roof Tiles?
Five main solar roof tile manufacturers operate in the U.S. Aside from Tesla there is SunTegra, Luma, CertainTeed, and GAF Energy. There are also new manufacturers such as Sunflare and Hanenergy.
The solar roof tile space has grown since 2016 when Tesla first introduced solar roofs. There is a lot more competition to capture the market of buyers who prefer how solar roofs look in comparison to traditional solar panels. Let’s briefly look at some of them.
Tesla
Solar roofs did not begin with Tesla. They did however popularize the concept through savvy marketing. Tesla solar roofs cost an average of around $45,000 for a 2000 square foot roof.
SunTegra
SunTegra is a New York-based company that manufactures solar tiles made from monocrystalline solar cells. Their solar cells have a peak output of up to 110 watts.
Luma
Luma has a solar roof similar to Tesla’s in that it has both active and inactive shingles. The shingles are made from polycrystalline and have an output of up to 60 watts.
CertainTeed
CertainTeed manufactures the Apollo line of roof tiles. Their roof tile is made from all-black monocrystalline cells with a peak output of 70 watts.
GAF energy
GAF energy is a roofing company that manufactures the Timberline solar tile. Their solar tile is made from monocrystalline and is designed to sit on top of your roof.
Are Solar Tiles Worth It?
Solar tiles can reduce a homeowner’s electricity bill by between 40 to 70%. Depending on the size of the system they may even eliminate the need to pay for electricity entirely. They are however much more expensive than traditional rack-mounted solar panels.
The main advantage of a solar system is the savings you make on electricity. In this regard, solar tiles are similar to conventional solar panels in that they help you reduce your spending on energy. Solar tiles also have some specific advantages and disadvantages compared to solar panels.
Pros of solar tiles
- Solar tiles are designed to blend in better with the environment. They either sit flush against your roof or replace the roof completely. This is what makes them so popular. In terms of aesthetics, they are an upgrade on solar panels that look bulky and stand out too much.
- In cases where you need to replace the roof and want to install solar, it might be cheaper to install solar tiles. Rather than have a roof and solar panels, you have a roof that is itself a solar panel.
- Solar tiles are more durable than conventional roofs. Solar tiles have a warranty of up to 25 years. Most roofs have a warranty of 15 years.
Cons of solar tiles
- They are more expensive than solar panels. Solar tiles can cost up to $2000 more per kilowatt. Source
- Solar tiles are also less efficient. Solar panels produce more energy per square foot.