Building Integrated Photovoltaics: Solar Shingles

For people who want to switch to solar power, but are worried about the cost and appearance of solar panels, building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) may be the answer! Expense aside, many homeowners do not want to impact the aesthetics of their property and – perhaps even worse – some homeowners associations prohibit solar panels because they are bulky and ugly.

Solar shingles: building integrated photovoltaics

That’s where BIPV comes into play. With solar panels that are “built into” a structure, such as solar shingles, you can enjoy a streamlined appearance that are practically invisible. These rooftop installations lie flat against the top of a home or building and can last as long as ordinary roofing materials, but they do not require roof penetrations to install and also are lightweight.

Building integrated photovoltaics are favored by many property owners because they are either invisible, or difficult to see from obscure angles, particularly where the south-facing facade of the home is also the front/street side.

Solar shingles look exactly like ordinary roofing shingles in their shape and size, but they are created with photovoltaic (PV) materials so that they become mini solar panels on your roof.

Even though solar shingles are wonderful from an appearance standpoint, there are a few downsides: (1) price – they are more expensive than regular solar panels; (2) they are not as efficient than PV panels, which means you need more (adding to the cost for the product itself and installation); and (3) they only come in black – so, if your roof is red tile, brown or any other color, solar shingles will not blend in quite as well as you might hope.

In summary, before you go with BIPV installations such as solar shingles, do some research and determine the pros and cons from your own personal standpoint. Hopefully, you can find a way to go solar!

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