Solar tiles offer an alternative to conventional solar panels. Instead of being installed on existing roofs with racking systems, solar shingles are part of the roof itself. They can be a viable option in new construction and major renovations, as the installation of a roof and a solar panel can be combined into a single component. Solar shingles are also known as solar shingles.
In New York City, solar shingles can be used to comply with Local Laws 92 and 94 of 2019, which require sustainable roofing systems. These can be solar energy systems with at least 4 kW capacity or green roofs. These laws apply to new roof installations as well as modifications and additions to existing roofs.
In existing buildings, the main disadvantage of solar tiles is having to remove parts of the roof to install them. They are also more expensive than conventional solar panels. However, in cases where a new roof or roof extension was planned anyway, solar tiles can achieve a lower cost than the sum of a normal roof and solar panels.
Reduce your electricity bills and building emissions with solar energy.
How much do solar shingles cost?
The cost of solar shingles varies depending on the supplier, but you can expect to pay more than $5,000 per kilowatt. For comparison, a residential solar panel system costs about $3,000 per kilowatt, while large commercial and industrial projects can reach costs below $1,000 per kilowatt. In terms of cost, solar tiles cannot compete with solar panels in large projects. However, they can be cost-effective in the residential sector, especially when considering a roof upgrade and a solar energy system for the same property.
The new version of the Tesla solar roof is promising, as the company's website reports an estimated price of US$33,950 for a 10 kW installation. This equates to $3,395 per kW and much closer to the typical cost of a solar panel system. A 10 kW Tesla solar roof requires an area of 2,000 square feet, which leads to an installation cost of slightly less than $17 per square foot. and a power generation density of 5 watts per square foot.
Personal preferences also play a role in deciding between solar panels and solar shingles. As solar tiles are about twice the cost of normal photovoltaic modules, their payback period is twice as long. However, both products have a typical lifespan of over 25 years. Long-term savings can be expected in both cases, but solar tiles need more time to achieve positive cash flow.
When are conventional solar panels recommended?
In addition to being more affordable, solar panels can concentrate more watts per square meter of capacity. High-efficiency solar panels have over 300W capacity on a 17.6 square foot area. This means you can install over 34 kW of generating capacity in 2,000 square feet.
Solar panels are the recommended option if you want to maximize electricity production with the space available. On the other hand, solar shingles offer the appearance of a normal roof without panels, but the available space is used less efficiently. Using solar panels that generate 5 watts per square foot, you need 6,800 square feet to reach 34 kW of capacity.
If you are considering a roof upgrade and a solar energy system, the best recommendation is to get quotes for both options: solar shingles and a regular roof with solar panels. Also consider electricity production over time – solar panels produce three times more energy per square meter.
In New York City, the 2019 LL92 and LL94 require a minimum solar power capacity of 4 kW or otherwise a green roof will be required. This can be a limitation if you want to use solar shingles for a small roof, as it requires about 800 square feet. to reach 4kW. On the other hand, using high-efficiency solar panels, you can install 4 kW in less than 200 square feet.
