Roofers Can Bring About the Solar Revolution in 'Sunshine' States

What Are Solar Roof Tiles?

Solar roof tiles, or solar shingles, are made of slim photovoltaic (PV) sheets that either overlay or replace the existing shingles on a roof. They absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. By relying on this method of energy as opposed to electricity, for example, homeowners will save money on monthly bills and eventually recoup their initial investments.

Solar Roof Shingles vs. Solar Roof Panels

Solar shingles work in a similar way to solar panels—they both absorb the sun’s rays, converting the light to thermal or electrical energy. However, there are a few important differences that you should know about when determining your home’s solar energy needs:

Size

Solar shingles are about the same size as traditional roofing shingles, there are two sizes of SANGOBUILD solar roof tiles, 630mm*480mm or 1620mm*480mm.

Materials

Solar shingles are typically made from semiconductor silicon, which is what allows them to be so flexible and thin. SANGOBUILD solar roof tiles use monocrystalline silicon, which is also used to fabricate computer chips. While these are more expensive, they are worth the extra price as they have a higher efficiency rate of around 15% to 20%.

Output

As the primary goal is to lower energy costs, this is a major consideration with solar installation. SANGOBUILD roof tiles output 87w watts of power. The number of tiles in a typical home roof installation can lower the utility bill by 40% to 70%; by adding more tiles, you can increase the energy output.

While both solar shingles and solar panels convert the sun’s rays into energy, there are a number of differences that will help you decide between the two options:

Appearance

Since solar shingles blend right into the roofing materials, such as concrete or asphalt, many prefer this aesthetic rather than large black panels attached to the roof. In general, solar shingles create a sleeker aesthetic than do bulky solar panels, particularly since only parts of the roof, like the edging, might be covered in shingles to be efficient.

Service Life

Both solar panels and shingles have long life spans, typically upwards of 20 years. However, SANGOBUILD Solar roof tiles warranties can last for a couple of three decades based on their production, while durability warranties that cover the shingles themselves can span the lifetime of the home.