If you are a homeowner in Colorado looking to go solar, you have probably heard of solar shingles. Although there is a strong case to be made for their sleek design, as a proud installer of American made solar panels, there are a few main reasons we believe that traditional photovoltaic (PV) panels are a far superior option in Colorado.
Efficiency & Cost
Recent breakthroughs have allowed solar shingles to reach a 20% efficiency in terms of converting light into electricity which is on par with most solar panels. These top performing brands, however, are going to be much more expensive than solar panels, often well over $60,000. If you are installing solar to save money, this would be counter intuitive. Lower cost solar shingles have an efficiency rating between 12% and 17%. Installing these shingles would require more roof space, which in some cases, may not be available.
Prone to Damage
According to iSolarWorld, solar shingles are “susceptible to hail and damage from strong winds.” Although there are many sources that say that solar shingles are stronger than average roof shingles, solar panels will always be resistant to hail, so why take the risk? Although Tesla, the most well known producer of solar shingles, guarantees a “class 4” hail rating, perhaps the company’s recent unveiling of their “bulletproof” truck window may give you another idea about the quality of their hardware:
If that isn’t enough to scare you, Solar City, Tesla’s subsidiary, has a 2.5 star rating on Yelp in Denver, and locations nationwide are consistent with reviews of broken promises and poor customer service.
They Basically Look the Same
One of the arguments we often hear for solar shingles is that they are more attractive than solar panels. Take a look at the two pictures below. One is a solar shingle system, the other is solar panels. It’s pretty obvious that both homes are producing renewable energy right on their roof.
All in all, Colorado homeowners looking to go solar should forget the shingles and stick to traditional PV panels for saving money and generating the most electricity. Get the process started by scheduling a free assessment with Apollo Energy: www.harnessoursun.com