Are Solar Roof Tiles Worth It

Solar Roof Installation Next Steps

Clean energy is the way of the future and solar is shining bright. Just one hour of sunlight is equivalent to one years worth of solar energy for the entire planet.

If you are in the market for a new roof and want to reduce your carbon footprint, contact a LawnStarter roofing pro to learn about the solar process and materials for your next big project.

Main Image Credit: aginaw Future Inc / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

Can Solar Tiles Resist Hail Damage

The solar tiles on a solar roof are rated for ANSI FM 4473 Class 3 hail resistance. This means that the solar tiles have been tested in a formal testing environment where 1.75in ice balls are launched five feet away at just below 72 m.p.h.

Lets be honest, that sounds like a fun job.

After the ice balls are launched at the material in question , its inspected to see what damage, if any, is present. This includes cracks, visible dents, chips, or any other alteration that would otherwise compromise your roof.

Since Teslas solar tiles have received the Class 3 rating, that means the 1.75in ice balls left no discernible damage at all. There is only one rating higher than Class 3, though the industry standard for roofs is Class 3.

More simply put, Tesla Solar Tiles can not only endure most hailstorms, but they can also withstand hail better than a lot of other roofing tiles and asphalt shingles currently on the market.

How Do The Savings Of The Tesla Solar Roof Compare To Traditional Solar Panels

Now we know the cost of a Solar Roof compared to a traditional solar installation and roof replacement, but how do the savings stack up?

A traditional 6.14 kW solar system in California will produce around 10,204 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. Based on an electric rate of $0.19 per kWh, that would save close to $2,000 per year, and about $52,000 over the 25-year lifetime of the system.

Teslas production estimates for the Solar Roof would bring yearly savings to around $1,800 and the lifetime savings to $50,000.

The lower solar production from the Solar Roof is mainly because solar shingle orientation is determined by the slope of your roof. Rack-mounted solar panels are able to be oriented for ideal solar generation, giving you higher energy bill savings. So, you could actually install a smaller traditional solar panel system and still cover your electric bill.

Learn more: Calculate how many solar panels you need for your home

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Are Solar Roof Tiles Really Worth It

Despite what many myths and misinformation will tell you, having a solar roof tile is a smart investment for any home. While there are a variety of factors that will influence when or how you could install solar roof tiles, the benefits of having them are very appealing and beneficial over time.

You can not only save a lot of money on your energy bills by having an efficient source of energy to power your home, but you can also reduce the carbon footprint you have and help improve the planet. Not only can you have a visually appealing home, but one that is helpful to the environment and easier on your wallet over time.

More and more people are considering having solar roof tiles on their homes, with around 300 new households in New Zealand that are installing solar panels each month. As technology continues to evolve, the number of solar installations is expected to grow even higher and set new records in 2022 and beyond. It is the most remarkable growth in the history of residential solar throughout the last decade.

Are you interested in having solar roof tiles installed onto your own home and want to know even more about them? Visit JP Franklin Roofing Services and get information on solar roof tile installation and other kinds of roofing services. With over 20 years of expertise and professionalism, your roof is in safe hands.

Solar Roof Tiles Are Better Against The Elements

Not only do solar roof tiles look better aesthetically, but they are also more resistant to high winds, storms and tropical cyclones. You dont need to drill holes in your roof to install solar roof tiles and they are even more resistant to hail damage than conventional roof tiles.

The Tesla roof tiles, for example, have a hail rating up to 1.75 diameter, a wind rating up to 267kph and the best fire rating of any roof rile.

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Disadvantages Of Fiberglass Shingles

• Not environmentally friendly: Asphalt and fiberglass shingles can technically be recycled, but recycling facilities for this roofing material are not available everywhere. Plus, fiberglass shingles do not last as long as other, more durable roofing materials like metal. This means that youll have to replace your roof more often, contributing to residential waste.
• Short lifespan: Fiberglass shingles have to be replaced more frequently than any other type of roofing, including metal, clay, concrete and wood shake roofs. Lasting only 15 to 30 years, you may have to replace your fiberglass shingle roof more than twice as frequently as other types of roofing.
• Less durability: Because they are so lightweight, fiberglass shingles are susceptible to blowing off damage from high winds or storms.

Check out this video to learn more about the pros and cons of fiberglass shingles:

A Price Drop In Teslas Solar Roof Is Highly Suggested

A regular roof costs around $5 per square foot. Teslas Solar Roof is over $21 a square foot. That is quite a price jump!

One thing to keep in mind to justify the price to yourself is that a typical roof does not produce solar energy. While the Tesla Solar Roof does provide solar energy, is it worth the extreme price? If the price were to drop down, Teslas Solar Roof would be a viable option for more households. Not only should the very wealthy be able to access solar energy from Tesla. Right?

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How Are Solar Shingles Different From Solar Panels

Solar shingles and solar panels are building-integrated photovoltaics. All BIPVs convert the suns energy into electricity and have the same net metering policies rules overseeing utility credits for excess energy sent back to the grid.

Photovoltaic devices can power anything from a small calculator to a jumbo jet, and, if there are enough of them, they can produce 100% of a buildings electricity, working anywhere, even in gray, overcast climates.

Solar panels have one function: to generate electricity.

Solar shingles have a dual purpose: to generate electricity and protect you from the elements like regular roofing shingles. The chief advantage of solar shingles is largely an aesthetic one. Because they are an integrated roof component, from a distance they look like ordinary shingles.

Some other key differences include:

Tesla Solar Roof Cost

• Costs unique to particular home
• Location influences cost
• Type of original roof influences cost
• State and company tax incentives affect cost
• Choice of Tesla Solar Roof affects cost

The Tesla Solar Roof cost depends on a lot of factors. The complexity of your original roof, the costs of a roof replacement, and tax incentives based on location combine to calculate a homes unique total.

To put this in perspective, another article by Forbes estimated that, a two-story, 2,000 square foot, 11.28 kW Solar Roof costs over $55,300 before incentives, assuming youre replacing the original roof.

The Tesla Solar Roof pricing is difficult to break down and relies heavily on individual situations. On the offhand, the Tesla Solar Roof seems cheaper since Tesla Solar Panels cost less per watt compared to traditional solar panels.

However, it gets expensive when considering the complicated installation of the Tesla Solar Roof. Additionally, all purchasers of the roof must also buy a Powerwall, a backup battery system that stores solar energy.

In the case of a power outage, the system detects outages and recharges your electric needs with the storage.

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Is Teslas Solar Roof Worth The Price And Hype Should I Make The Switch

For all we know, Tesla is a very successful electric car company, but it seems like that success isnt rubbing off on their solar roof production as much as it should. Undoubtedly, their solar shingles are modernized solar panels and far more good-looking than traditional solar panels, but their efficiency is still widely in doubt. Probably because theyve not been in the market long enough, people find it hard to believe the long-term features of this glass tile. Recent findings have shown that Teslas customer service is quite appalling, and if you intend to go solar with a warranty of 25 years, then youd probably choose a company that would be at your beck and call. Because Tesla is a big company, they find it challenging to keep up with their numerous customers. If you cant get quality attention when theres a fault, you risk losing out on such a considerable investment.

While considering the energy-efficient option for your roofing system, always remember that it takes a professional roofer to give you a roofing system that will stand the test of time. To get the best services while installing solar panels or solar shingles, call or visit Royal Renovators today at 118-35 Queens Blvd Forest Hills, NY 11375 414-6067 .

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How Solar Attic Fans Work

A solar attic fan consists of a roof-mounted solar panel that converts light energy from the sun into electricity which powers an electric fan on your roof. As long as direct sunlight is powering the solar panel, this fan will draw air out from your attic. But the fan wont work at night or under very cloudy conditions.

The attic air that this fan vents out is replaced by cooler air drawn into your attic through soffit ventilation. You probably have some of these already since youll find soffit vents in the eaves of most houses.

This ventilation is a vital part of a solar attic fan system, and if your home doesnt have adequate soffit ventilation, your solar attic fan system wont work. You will need around eight square feet of screened soffit vent per solar attic fan.

During hot summers, your solar fan removes superheated air from the top of your attic and draws cool air in, lowering temperatures and cooling your home below. In the cooler months, an attic solar ventilation system continues to provide airflow through your loft space, taking out still air and replacing it regularly.

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Comparing The Cost Of Solar Pool Heating Systems

You can estimate and compare the costs of using different solar collector models before you buy using the method below.

First, obtain the following information:

• Collectors thermal performance rating
• Total number of collector panels or piping for the area needed to heat your pool
• The total installed cost of the system

Then, calculate the collectors energy output per dollar invested using this formula:

÷ total installed cost of system = Btu per day per dollar spent

Example

Btu ÷ $4,000 = 28 Btu/day per dollar spent

If you only know the prices and thermal performance ratings of the solar collectors, use this formula for the different collectors:

Btu/day ÷ collector price = Btu/day per dollar spent

Example

21,000 Btu ÷ $400 = 52.5 Btu/day per dollar spent

When choosing a solar pool heater, it is important to consider all of the factors involved in the systems sizing and quality of the design and installation aside from just the installation cost.

Looks Matter In Newly Built Dream Homes

Apple made design sexy. Telsa is combining that philosophy with its cutting edge green tech transportation solutions and bringing it to homes worldwide.

Dont dismiss the aesthetic import of how Teslas tiles look. For most homeowners looking to build new homes or revamp their existing ones want an edge over the Jones and sexy solar tiles are the ticket.

Teslas solar tiles come in four distinct flavors: Textured Glass, Slate Glass, Tuscan Glass and Smooth Glass.

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Scenario : Youre Interested In Going Solar And Also Need To Replace Your Roof

While this is a less common scenario, it may fit you if your current roof is coming up on the end of its useful life. This scenario may also fit you if youre in the process of building a new home from scratch, and havent picked out your roofing material yet. In this scenario, unlike the first one, you are on the market and actively shopping for both a new roof and a solar panel installation.

If this description fits you better, Teslas Solar Roof may make more financial sense. In this case, you have the option of either replacing your roof first and then installing traditional solar panels, or combining both actions with the installation of a Tesla Solar Roof.

In our example, lets assume a $5 per square foot cost for an asphalt shingle roof replacement for your home in California. Based on these criteria, lets see how your new solar panel and roof replacement will compare to a new Tesla Solar Roof, based on varying roof size:

So, in this case, the cost of new solar panels and the cost of a roof replacement and a new Tesla Solar Roof are most comparable if your roof is only 1,500 square feet. However, as explained above, its important to note that your ROI will likely still be lower because the efficiency of the Tesla Solar Roof is probably lower than that of solar panels and your system size is smaller meaning your electricity bill wont go down as much as it could.

How Long Do Solar Panels Last

As you think about the initial startup investment in solar panels, another question to consider is system longevity. After you buy solar panels, how long do they last? Will they function long enough for you to get your moneys worth?

Again, the answer can vary slightly depending on the specific type of solar panels you choose. As a rule of thumb, however, most residential solar systems last between 20 and 30 years and require minimal maintenance and upkeep. Most of the best solar panels come backed with strong warranties, ensuring your system produces as expected for at least two decades. Of course, when purchasing a solar panel system, youll want to take a close look at the warranty information offered.

The longevity of your system is also important, as solar adds to the value of your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, buyers nationwide have been willing to pay an average premium of about $15,000 for a home with a solar array. In many cases, that alone can cover most of all of your solar investment.

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How Much Money Will You Save With Solar Panels

One of the most common questions surrounding solar energy is: How much will you save with solar? Naturally, this depends on your energy needs, location, solar loan interest rates and budget. However, the average solar panel payback period is between five and 10 years.

When determining whether solar panels are worth it for your home, keep in mind that your savings will be greater if you live in an area where electricity rates are higher by contrast, if you live somewhere with a lower cost of electricity, the money you save using clean energy will be lesser.

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Size And Complexity Of Your Roof

You already know that the larger your roof, the more youll pay for roofing materials and labor costs. However, if your roof has details like a chimney, skylight windows, multiple tiers or ventilation systems, your labor costs will be higher.

If your roof is very steep or has a lot of valleys or facets, your roofer will have to take more safety precautions to complete the installation. This also drives prices up.

Every roof is different, so we recommend speaking with a roofing professional to get a free, personalized quote for your project. If youre ready to get started, you can select one of our recommended providers below.

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How Does The Tesla Solar Roof Work

The first few attempts at BIPV solar roofs were made by pasting flexible solar panels over regular shingles. However, it was an inefficient method with questionable durability.

When Tesla got into the solar game and designed its solar roof tiles with subsidiary SolarCity, it integrated solar cells directly into the shingles .1 This makes the solar cells almost impossible to spot.

A Tesla Solar Roof comprises two types of roof tiles active and inactive. They look identical, but the active tiles generate power and the inactive do not. Most homes only need part of their roof to be covered in active tiles to offset their energy bills. The inactive tiles can be strategically placed in shady spots to maximize the efficiency of the active tiles while maintaining a seamless design.

Solar shingles generate direct current power, so a Tesla roof also needs an inverter to turn it into usable alternating current power for your home. Tesla recommends adding a Powerwall battery to the system as well. This lets homeowners store solar energy for use at night or as backup power during a grid outage.