| With home solar power systems becoming more | | | | by the same roofing company that is doing the rest of |
| popular every year, some builders are looking for | | | | the building's shingles. This can save time and money |
| creative ways to incorporate this amazing alternative | | | | on the installation and make these types of home solar |
| energy solution into their homes. Even though modern | | | | power systems very affordable. The wiring for these |
| solar panels have improved over the years to be | | | | solar panel shingles is run through the roofing material |
| much more productive and durable, they are still a very | | | | and the interconnections are done inside of the attic. |
| obvious addition to a home that impacts the aesthetics | | | | This way there are no visible wires on the roof which |
| of the design. Because of this many builders and | | | | males for a cleaner installation. |
| homeowners are looking for alternative ways to build | | | | Besides the cosmetic advantages that these newer |
| a solar power system into their homes that is less | | | | solar power shingles provide, they are also more |
| noticeable. Solar panel roof shingles allow a | | | | durable than a standard solar panel installation. This is |
| homeowner to enjoy the free power that these home | | | | mainly due to the fact that a solar panel is typically |
| solar power systems provide without the need to | | | | mounted on a frame that is raised a few inches |
| mount a set of solar panels on the roof. | | | | above the roofing material on a home. The gap |
| Solar panel shingles have been in development for the | | | | between the solar panels and the roof allows rain, ice |
| past few years and there have been versions of | | | | and debris to flow below the panel and off the roof. |
| them available commercially for some time. What set | | | | The challenge is that this gap also allows wind to flow |
| the recent wave of these solar power shingles apart | | | | beneath the panel, which creates a lifting action on the |
| from the earlier models are their durability and their | | | | panel. In areas of high winds, this can be a concern |
| mounting options. Older solar shingles were hard to | | | | and may damage a panel if it isn't mounted securely. |
| add to a roof because of the way they mounted and | | | | Also, areas that receive heavy snowfall present a |
| connected to the homes electrical system. Most of | | | | hazard for conventional solar panels as well. The |
| these early models had to be mounted in large groups | | | | weight of the accumulating snow can twist and |
| on the roof and because they were typically thicker | | | | damage a panel that is not supported fully. Because |
| than current models, they were about as obvious as a | | | | the solar panel shingles lie flat on the roof, they are not |
| standard solar panel cosmetically. Modern versions of | | | | subjected to these hazards and can last for years |
| these solar roof shingles are thinner and can be mixed | | | | once installed. |
| in with standard roof shingles to help them better blend | | | | While these solar shingles will not produce as much |
| into a roof's design. They are also available in a wider | | | | power as a typical panel of the same size, they are |
| variety of colors to allow you to match them to the | | | | increasing their efficiency every year and are close |
| color of the other roof shingles. | | | | enough today to make financial sense for many |
| The mounting on these newer solar panel shingles is | | | | homes. When you consider the advantages they |
| simpler as well and conforms to the nail patterns of a | | | | provide over conventional solar panels in durability and |
| standard sheet of roof shingles. This makes it easier | | | | aesthetics, they are fast becoming the solution of |
| for them to be incorporated into the standard roofing | | | | choice for many homeowners. |
| materials. It also allows a builder to have them installed | | | | |