Solar Shingles? It's a great idea, but do they make sense for the average homeowner?
First, let's take a moment to explain the concept. Thin-film photovoltaic material is bonded to shingle material and presto! - a shingle that generates electric current. The benefit is that your roof won't have an obvious solar panel sitting on it, so the roof is aesthically more pleasing (in case you're dealing with onerous HOAs or neighborhood associations) The compromise is efficiency... thin film PV is about half as efficient as regular PV panels.
Solar shingles require no additional under-roofing, so they replace part (or most) of your south-facing roof. As with traditional PV installations, for maximum efficiency, you should receive unblocked sun on your south roof for the entire day. If this isn't possible, an west or east-facing installation can be 90% as efficient as south-facing . Because solar shingles can't be cut or modified, traditional shingles are used along the edges of the roof.
