Solar shingles are also called photovoltaic shingles. They are small solar panels designed with the look and functionality of typical shingles in mind. Solar shingles capture a type of solar energy known as building- integrated photovoltaic. One of the great things about solar shingle technology is that they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and aesthetics. These aesthetics take the place of a number of conventional shingles, usually in a strip and in a somewhat rigid design containing many smaller solar cells that take the shape and size of the typical shingle. In special cases Milledgeville Roofing Company will install solar shingles for commercial projects.
The shingles are photovoltaic modules. Ultimately they capture light and convert it into usable electricity. One average, the size of these shingles are about 12×80 inches and they are staples directly on to the roof, just like the traditional asphalt shingle. After the shingles are applied in layers, the majority of the shingle is left exposed to the sun to collect and generate electricity. Since there are a variety of different shingle modules, they each vary in mounting requirements. Some modules may require specialized installation, while others may be applied directly to the outer roofing layer. Commonly, these solar shingles will be sprinkled among an array of asphalt shingles to create and integrated and cohesive aesthetic.
Early manufacturers used thin solar film technology to produce electricity from the sun. However, this is far less common now as many manufacturers are using silicon-based cells. Current manufacturers have largely chosen to use mono-crystalline or poly-crystalline silicon solar cells which is vastly and industry standard. When considering solar shingle technology versus solar panel technology, it is important to note that solar shingle installation is very different. Installation methods for some solar shingle solutions can be significantly easier than the typical solar panel installations due to technology advancements. Traditional solar panels usually require the need to relocate rafters, whereas solar shingles can be applied directly to the roof.
It is common that solar shingles roofs have a standard aesthetic. They tend to be dark colored and reflect blues and purples, however this can be similar to typical asphalt shingles that are black in color and reflect colors of the sky. Some solar shingle manufacturers have taken the liberty of developing shingles that have the aesthetic of roof shingles other than the standard asphalt shingle, such as the Tuscan style. Many homeowners find they prefer the look ad functionality of the solar shingle in contrast with the solar panel because they want to avoid the aesthetic of having large panels on their roofs. Many of these newer solar shingle options have been proven to withstand more powerful weather than the traditional solar panel, and this has a lot to do with its smaller and thinner shape and with the way they more securely attach to the roofing membrane, rather than sitting atop the roof. Solar roofing technologies can be very costly, so it is no wonder many homeowners choose the solar shingle over the solar panel, given their proven durability and lengthened life-cycle.