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Roofing

Solar Roof Shingles

Average cost range:

$63,000 - $75,000

The average cost to install solar roof shingles is $63,000 to $75,000 for a standard-sized, single-story home, or $21 to $25 per square foot ($2,100 to $2,500 per square). The cost for this project can vary depending on your roof size, slope, and pitch, as well as the cost of installation in your area. Solar shingles tend to be more cost-efficient than solar panels.

Find the best solar shingle contractors in your area.

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We help homeowners make confident decisions through our reliable, up-to-date, and unbiased information and average project costs. All of our content is thoroughly reviewed and fact-checked by our team of home improvement experts. Learn more about how we maintain these values.

What Is a Solar Shingle? 

Solar panel roof shingles are a relatively new technology designed to look like ordinary asphalt shingles on your roof. They protect your roof and have the same durability and flexibility as regular shingles, while harnessing the sun’s solar energy to generate power for your home. Each shingle will produce between 13 and 63 watts of energy, depending on the brand.

Lightweight and easy to install, a solar shingle is designed just like ordinary shingles to withstand rain, wind, and hail. They can be a great energy-efficient roofing option for your home.

solar shingles

Solar Shingles vs Solar Panels

Trying to decide between installing solar panels or shingles on your roof? Here are a few advantages and disadvantages to consider beforehand:

The benefits of solar panel shingles include:

  • Being more aesthetically pleasing than bulky solar panels.
  • Being more cost effective (if you are replacing your roof anyway – 10% to 15% more cost effective per watt of solar energy).
  • They are able to be removed and reinstalled if you were to move homes.

The disadvantages of shingles are:

  • They can sometimes be less energy efficient than solar panels.
  • You will need a particular roof slope with high sunlight exposure.
  • Their lifespan is shorter.
  • Many solar installers do not offer solar shingles yet as they are still growing in popularity.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?

Learn the cost differences between solar panels and solar shingles installation

Take Me There

How Much Do Solar Shingles Cost?

The average roofing installation price for a solar shingle roof costs anywhere between $60,000 to $75,000 depending on the slope, pitch, and size of your roof. You can expect to pay $21 to $25 per sq. foot or $2,100 to $2,500 per square installed on a standard sized single story home. Costs will vary depending on local solar roof contractor’s pricing. View your potential roof installation savings with roof contractors in your area below.

How Many Do You Need?

The number of solar roof shingles — or the Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) shingles — it would take to power your entire home depends upon several factors. You may need more or fewer depending on the size of your house and your typical energy usage. But even installing a few can help out.

It is not necessary to replace your entire roof as you can integrate solar shingles into your existing roof.

If your roof is in need of an overhaul anyway though, replacing your roof is a good investment. According to the most recent Cost vs. Value report, replacing the roof on your home can have an an ROI of 71.6%.

Additionally, recent Department of Energy-backed studies have demonstrated something else to consider. Home buyers are willing to pay a premium for homes with solar roofing features — up to $15,000 more.

How Long Do They Last? 

The average solar panel shingle lasts from 20 to 30 years at maximum energy output. They will continue to create solar power after the 20 year mark, but just like an older cell phone battery, they may not produce energy at maximum capacity anymore.

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