Green Home Systems recently announced that they now offer solar roofing including both solar shingles and solar tiles, a striking yet more subtle alternative to traditional solar panels.

“This is one of our most exciting announcements yet,” states Robbie Hebert, Managing Director at Green Home Systems. “We always knew this day would come where we would be able to blend solar directly into customers’ homes seamlessly. We are thrilled to be partnered with the innovators at Certainteed to offer some of the most reliable and most attractive solar panels on the market.”

What is the difference between traditional solar panels and solar roofing?

Solar panels traditionally are large panels that lay on top of a roof at a tilt. While they do lay flat, they are not flush to the roof meaning they stick out a ways from the roof itself. They also don’t particularly blend as each panel is typically around 59” by 39”. While traditional panels are quite sleek and perfect for powering a home, their aesthetic might not be for everyone. 

Solar roofing is an option for those homeowners who do not want their home to have the appearance of solar panels but want to reap all the benefits solar can provide. Solar shingles are actually shaped and sized like a home’s shingles and are positioned as such with a slight tilt and layering effect. The same goes for solar tiles which are perfect for homes that do not use shingles. With the exception of the glisten of monocrystalline silicon, both the shingles and tiles blend beautifully to most roofs. 

How does the effectiveness of solar roofing compare to traditional solar panels?

According to Certainteed, “14 high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells provide a power rating of 70 watts per solar shingle.” While this is less than one solar panel, it is important to note that the size of one shingle or tile is much smaller than one panel, so the overall wattage of the system remains the same.

Certainteed also states that solar roofing is simple to install. “No need to find rafters or flash penetrations in the roofing system,”their website states. “Solar shingles installed directly into the roof sheathing using standard deck screws. Fastening points covered by subsequent solar shingles, the same way that asphalt shingles are installed.”

Other features listed on Certainteed’s website include:

• “Lightweight: The Apollo II system weighs about as many pounds per square foot as a typical asphalt shingle roof.
• Durable: Apollo II solar shingles withstand up to 250 pounds per square foot.
• Wind resistant: The Apollo II system can be installed in any wind zone, including Florida’s high velocity hurricane zone.
• Watertight: Water channels and raised fastener locations provide added protection against water intrusion. With more than 110 years of roofing experience, we know how to keep water out of your home.”

As for the difference in how solar roofing works in comparison to solar panels, there is essentially no difference. They made with the same materials and tilted to the same degree. The real difference is shown in the appearance. 

“At Green Home Systems, we love to stay on the cutting edge of technology as it pertains to solar power,” states Hebert. “And because we are on a mission to create a solar-powered world, we need to adapt to our customers’ needs, and the simple fact is that there are homeowners out there whose only gripe with solar is the look of it on their home. Well, we’re here to say there will be no more of that moving forward.”

Click here to learn more about Green Home Systems and Certainteed.