Solar Shingles: Top Three Manufacturers
The past five years have seen the solar industry shine. With the green revolution in high gear, homeowners see the wisdom of using renewable power to generate electricity. Gas prices are also rising steadily, granting renewables well-warranted attention over fossil fuels purchased at the mercy of oil-rich countries. There’s also a new wave of aesthetics, enabling solar power systems to become architecturally as well as environmentally savvy.
Solar shingles, for instance, are a proven solar option that utilizes the same photovoltaic (PV) technology as solar panels. These building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) blend into traditional roofing materials for a more seamless look than that afforded by bulky, mounted panels. A single shingle only produces enough electricity to power an electric fan, but several feet of them together garner the energy to power an entire house.
Thing is, solar shingles are currently manufactured by just a handful of companies. Three of these are Dow, Premier Power, and Atlantis Energy.
To get pricing on a solar system in your area, click here.
Dow Powerhouse
You can stack them, walk on them and even drop them from a roof. The Dow Solar Powerhouse solar shingles hit the market this winter, but it will be some time yet before they’re widely available. The Powerhouse shingles are made in the United States and have been approved by Underwriters Laboratory. They are certified to withstand wind, rain and hail, and carry a 20-year warranty.
Dow debuted the Powerhouse product in new homes by builder DR Horton in Arvada, Colorado. The company is planning to roll out the product slowly. Dow says the Powehouse will come to California this year. The Powerhouse shingles are intended to be installed by roofing contractors in either new or existing construction. Dow estimates that the shingles will provide between 40 and 80% of the average home’s electrical needs.
Premier Power
Premier Power’s version of the solar shingle are actually solar panels fashioned to look like shingles. They basically replace sections of a roof to present a flush and nearly seamless look. The company’s solar roof tiles are available in a dark blue that blends best with dark roof shingles. Premier offers a 25 year warranty, but the company says their product should last over 30 years. Premier Power specializes in “turnkey” installations, handling the PV installation process from start to finish.
Atlantis Energy
Atlantis Energy is responsible for Sunslates, which cover 300 square feet of roofing in a typical system. Each shingle produces about 13 watts of electricity and is designed to withstand rain and wind of up to 80 mph. The Sunslates are a roofing product that must be installed using electrical or certified roofing subs. Each tile is connected to the adjacent tile, which locks and secures them within the circuit. Designed to last decades, each Sunslate begins as an Eternit roofing slate, popular roofing in Europe. Sunslates are available in multiple shades of gray and blue, and from several dealers across the United States and by a few in Europe as well. Both the solar power generation and the material integrity are guaranteed for 25 years.
More on Efficiency and Costs
A single solar shingle may produce from 50 to 200 watts. Their efficiency is less than a solar panel, with an efficiency rate of about 10%. Most solar panels can rate anywhere from 12 to 17%. But the cost of installing solar roofing is about 15% less than installing a photovoltaic (PV) solar system and new roof separately. Solar roofing is eligible for the federal solar rebate program that can cut your installation costs by as much as 30%. However, settling on a product is only the first step. To ensure that solar is installed for optimum results, don’t settle for less than a qualified solar contractor. Our free service connects you with quotes from the best solar installers in the industry.
Editor’s note: this post has been updated to reflect changes in today’s solar shingle manufacturing. SunPower, which once made building-integrated SunTiles for residential use, now only manufactures them for business application. Uni-Solar also stopped making shingles after they lost their UL rating.
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Posted on January 31st in Solar Products by Renee.
October 20th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Live in Montery Country Club in Palm Desert. 1300 homes. Would it be practical to replace all present units with solar shingles. Looking forward to hearing from you. Every forth Thursday we have a home owners meeting. Thanks again
January 6th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
I Stumbled Upon a solar shingle made from recycled tires–do you know anything about these? Would love to know and thanks in advance.
January 10th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Lynn, I would love it if you could direct me to more info on a solar shingle made from recycled tires. I’ve heard of regular roof shingles, but not the combination. SOunds fascinating.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I understand that uni-solar lost its UL rating for the SHR-17 solar shingle. What was the problem with it?
April 29th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Hi John,
Check out our post on solar ratings: http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/solar-information/solar-panel-ratings-breakdown/ It should help answer your question.
Thanks for checking in!
Renee
May 9th, 2009 at 5:55 am
YOU MAKE SOLAR “POWER” SHINGLES(SOUND COSTLY FOR PEOPLE WHO DONT HAVE ALOT OF CASH LIKE US GREAT IDEA WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THEM BUT) WHY NOT?? YOU HERE ALOT ABOUT ICE SHEETS MELTING AWAY REDUCING THE SUN RAYS BEING REFLECTED WHY NOT TARGET THAT? I ALSO KNOW THAT COMPANIES ARE ALREADY MAKING SOMEWHAT REFLECTIVE SHINGLES WHY NOT GO TO THE EXTREAME MAKE SHINGLES THAT ARE EXTREAMLY REFLECTIVE NEW HOUSES – RETRO FIT OLD HOUSES, WHOLE TOWNS-CITIES VERTUALLY CREATING A MAN MADE ICE SHEET ON EARTH AS OPPOSED TO PUTTING MIRRORS IN SPACE (VERY COSTLY) CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ALL REFLECTING THE RAYS BACK TO SPACE VERY GREEN TECH LIKE YOU ALREADY ARE (IF THERE IS ANY MERITE TO THIS IDEA I AM DISABLED) MICHAEL PIKE NORTH PORT FLORIDA MMYDI99@YAHOO.COM
October 8th, 2009 at 5:32 am
[...] Three Manufacturers of Solar Shingles [...]
January 28th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
im a roofer an been wanting to switch careers by managing my own solar power installation bussnies but now hearing about these “mysterious” shingles im woundering when they will hit the open market an the estimated cost per sq foot or bundle? cuz from page after page artical after artical i have yet to obtain the information iv been looking for can you give me, us a price an date of orricial arrival? an i wear the pants in this realazion ship i make the shots thier no convining the spouse so dont respond 2 me with that B.S. as u did 2 many befor
April 2nd, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Hi!
We are building a 1,200 sq m house by the beach in Cebu, Philippines and we would like to use solar shingles. Whom should we contact for an estimate?
November 10th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
I am also a roofer and would like to know the price per bundle or sq ft and when and where contractors will be able to get them it will give a breath of fresh air to the roofing industry
November 28th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Solar Shingles are not sustainable. You cant make an unsustainable Asphalt Shingle sustainable by just slapping solar on it…. One should consider Solar Integrated Roof Tile (TIPV) for less than it would cost to obtain solar shingles…..
http://www.artezanos.com/tile_integrated_photovoltaic.html
December 4th, 2010 at 7:16 am
You need to update your information. SUNPOWER listed above does NOT produce solar shingles. Please no BAIT AND SWITCH.
December 4th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
SRS Energy Featured on DIY Network’s This New House
PHILADELPHIA, September 28, 2010 – SRS Energy, a leading developer of designer
solar products, was recently featured on DIY Network’s This New House. The segment
highlights their innovative Solé Power Tile™, the first curved solar roof tile designed to
integrate seamlessly with profiled clay roof products.
“SRS Energy has received tremendous response from homeowners around the globe that
have chosen not to invest in a solar power system due to the unsightly aesthetics
associated with conventional solar panels,” said JD Albert, CEO of SRS Energy. “We
are excited to partner with This New House and support their effort in educating
homeowners about cutting-edge technology and products.”
The SRS Energy Solé Power Tile™ is the first curved solar power product to obtain UL
certification and a listing on the California Energy Commission’s list of approved solar
modules. In July, Solé was installed on the Sunset Magazine Dream Remodel home in
Los Gatos, California. SRS Energy began commercial shipments in August and is
featured on the ELLE DECOR magazine 2010 Showcase Home in San Francisco,
California.
This New House is a new magazine-style series on DIY Network, where co-hosts Amy
Matthews and This Old House’s Kevin O’Connor bring viewers inside homes that feature
innovative building materials. Matthews explores a Solé Power Tile installation in
Northern California as part of episode ‘Big Heat From Deep Cold.’ In addition to the
superior aesthetics achieved by preserving the timeless roofline, Matthews highlights the
vastly improved and simplified installation. “It’s just so complicated to install solar SRS Energy –
panels on barrel tile roofs,” states Matthews. “Up till now, you had to drill through the tile which is brittle and prone to cracking, in order to mount the racks for traditional solar panels. Plus they wreck the roofline, which is a big reason why homeowners go clay barrel in the first place.”
The segment initially aired on September 16th, and will run again September 29th, October 2nd, October 28th, and October 29th. For show times and more information on This New House, visit http://www.diynetwork.com/this-newhouse/show/index.html.
About SRS Energy
SRS Energy develops, manufactures, and markets building integrated photovoltaic
(“BIPV”) roofing tiles that look, install, and perform like premium steep sloped roofing
products. SRS Energy is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. For more information, visit
http://www.srsenergy.com
SRS Energy is supported by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Ben Franklin Technology Partner
December 7th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Jim,
The SRS tile actually uses “JUNK SLABS” from UNISOLAR. The Unisolar material has a 6.5%-6.7% efficiency as designed when it lays flat. Do you think modifying the product so that it is unulated, will increase the efficiency? I hardly think so! And then there is this question of the feasibility and sustainability of using “PLASTICS”. After all the only Clay Tile you can use is one specific roof profile of one specific manufacturer “U$ Tile”…
For those of you who get beat up for being a roofer interested in solar, please enlighten Jim, when installing “S” Roof Tile, you lay them vertical and not in horizontal rows accross the roof like a flat tile profile. SRS commits you to their three tiles in one design that automatically decides how you install this tile contrary to whats normal in the field.
I applaud SRS efforts, however the way to scale the market with residential solar is to make it “UNIVERSAL” and affordable and the SOLE design does neither. Its an expensive VISIBLE inefficient solar product.
Dan
December 12th, 2010 at 8:03 am
Jim,
Here is the latest GIGS THIN FILM technology integrated with the same ARTEZANOS HYBRID TIPV. CHEAPER,MORE POWER DENSITY, FASTER TO INSTALL, LIGHTER WEIGHT….and can be used with any “TRUE” barrel roof tile and any solar technology withourt racks and penetrations…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tndbkoTbnmc&feature=related
January 28th, 2011 at 1:42 am
[...] to militaries around the world (a product that originally put them on the map), and working towards PV shingles that may be released as soon as this [...]
June 4th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
[...] In Midland, Michigan, construction crews are preparing to deliver what may very well be the future of clean energy: solar shingles. [...]
June 4th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
[...] In Midland, Michigan, construction crews are preparing to deliver what may very well be the future of clean energy: solar shingles. [...]
August 18th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
[...] or purchasing an electric car – or both – a recent announcement by Ford and solar provider SunPower is good news. When Ford rolls out its 2012 electric hybrid vehicles, buyers will have the option to [...]