Solar Shingles or Solar Panels?

Benefits of Solar Shingles

Solar shingles are a little different than solar panels, as they blend into the roof instead of being mounted above it.

Many homeowners look at solar energy as a great way to make their home more energy efficient and lower their energy bill. Everyone recognizes a solar panel, those hulking mirrors sitting on the roof are hard to miss. But solar panels aren’t your only option for making your home greener. Solar shingles offer the same benefits as solar panels in a more seamless design. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, so choosing the right one for your home isn’t an easy task. If you want to make your home more energy efficient, but aren’t sure what the best options is, here’s a comparison of solar shingles and solar panels to help you make the best choice for you.

Solar Shingles

Solar shingles are fairly new, but have quickly become a popular option for homeowners looking for a sleeker solar option. The shingles replace regular asphalt shingles over whatever sized area the homeowner decides. This helps lower the cost of a new roof by decreasing the number of traditional shingles needed. Solar shingles can be installed with a new roof, or by removing some of the old shingles and replacing them with solar ones. Since they fit in with the rest of the roof, solar shingles offer a faster installation time than solar panels.

Solar Panels

Solar panels have been around in a home energy application since the mid-1970s. The large panels are mounted above the existing roof, a process that takes much longer than installing solar shingles. While this type of solar cell can be angled towards the sun to get the maximum efficiency, some homeowners consider them an eyesore since they protrude from the roof instead of integrating with it.

Contact Topper Construction to Solar Shingles for Your Home

If you’re interested in having solar shingles installed with your new roof, contact Topper Construction. With Topper Construction, you’ll see the benefit of nearly three decades of experience. If you are interested in learning more about cedar roofing, contact Topper Construction at 301-874-0220 or email us at info@topperconstruction.com. We can help you with projects in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Northern Virginia.

Keep reading…

Gutter Overflow in August: Why Late-Summer Thunderstorms Overwhelm Unmaintained Gutters

Spring gutter problems and August gutter problems aren't quite the same. In spring, most homeowners are dealing with what winter left behind and getting ready for spring rains. By August, gutters have had plenty of time to collect seed pods, twigs, pollen, and other...

Late-Summer Heat and Your Roof: Why August Is Peak Season for Shingle Blistering and UV Damage

August can be rough on a roof. After weeks of hot afternoons and strong sun, the shingles have been heating up every day and cooling down again at night. By this point in the summer, that repeated exposure can start to show, especially on an older roof. You might...

The Real Cost of Roof Procrastination: How a $500 Fix Becomes a $5,000 Problem

Homeowners don't put off roofing repairs because they aren't concerned about their home. Instead, they procrastinate because their roof isn't leaking, their stain hasn't gotten bigger, or life simply becomes hectic. At Topper Roofing, we understand how easy it is to...

We’re a Roofer and Sider You Can Trust

Topper Construction, Inc. BBB Business Review