Sustainability is becoming an essential part of how we all live, including the improvements we make to our homes. You may already know about solar panels, but have you heard about solar roofing? Similar to solar panels, solar roofing provides an excellent opportunity for utilizing clean energy. This not only helps protect the environment but can also lead to potential savings for you.
What is Solar Roofing?
Most simply, solar roofing consists of photovoltaic (PV) tiles on your roof that convert sunlight into energy that can then power your home. Solar roofing is also commonly referred to as solar shingles.
Solar Roof vs. Solar Panels
While it’s possible to install solar panels anywhere on your property, including your roof, they take up a lot of space and can be an eyesore. Some homeowner associations (HOAs) won’t even allow the elevated mounting systems necessary for traditional solar panels due to the alteration of the appearance of the house. Solar roofs are made of solar shingles and are far more aesthetically pleasing and are easier to customize to your roof in particular; each solar shingle is smaller than a traditional solar panel and can be attached directly to your roof.
Traditional solar panels, despite their unsightly appearance, have the advantage of mobility. The panels can adjust themselves throughout the day to receive more direct sun exposure and create more energy. Solar shingles are fixed in place and limited to the way the sun naturally hits the roof, which may or may not have the most optimized exposure.
Can Solar Roofing Really Power a House?
Yes! That said, it usually makes sense to remain connected to the regular energy grid in case of several cloudy or rainy days in a row, which would prevent your solar roof from collecting the amount of sunlight it needs to fully power your home. The costs are still lower than full-time use of the grid. Plus, your solar roof can be set up to funnel excess energy it creates on extra sunny days back into the energy grid to save for a rainy day. Your utility provider can help you with the details of how this works as it can differ based on location.
How easily your solar roof can power your house also depends on the amount of panels and where exactly they’re installed. Areas that experience less sunlight will often need more panels for optimum energy production.
Where Should Solar Shingles Be Placed on a Roof?
Where exactly you place solar shingles on your roof depends on the shape and size of your roof as well as the area you live in. Solar shingles should be placed where they will receive as much sunlight as possible. Luckily, solar shingles are not so different from normal shingles, and blend in well with the rest of your roof so it’s unlikely to be an eyesore or affect your curb appeal.
If you’re interested in solar roofing, a solar roofing contractor can help you tailor it to you and your home’s needs.
Are Solar Shingles Worth It?
Once again, yes! It depends on your budget but solar roofing usually pays for itself with the amount of money it saves you on energy; it typically reduces energy costs by 40-60%! It’s an especially smart choice because it reduces your carbon footprint so if you’re environmentally conscious, solar roofing is the way to go.
Where Do I Find a Reliable Solar Roofing Contractor?
Oaks Construction is a GAF Certified Solar Elite Contractors ready to help you with all of your solar roofing needs. See our solar roofing page for even more information on the products we install. With Earth Day coming up, contacting us and installing your new solar roof would be the perfect way to celebrate. Our planet will thank you.