# Anyone know much about solar shingles? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 18, 2007, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653 "2007-09-18T20:33:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/1 "2007-09-18T20:33:09Z")
OK, I need a new roof and, being the Green Guy that I am, I’m thinking solar. But I don’t much care for those raised solar panels. Apparently there is an option for integrating the PV elements into what looks like ordinary shingles. I assume they are more expensive, and not quite as efficient (due to design constraints and added heating without airflow underneath). Does anyone have any experience with these things? Advice would be appreciated. I’m also interested in durability as compared to conventional panels. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/2 "2007-09-18T22:40:50Z")
i have seen them and they do look nifty. unfortunatly i don’t have a shingle kind of house, so i didn’t look to deep into it. solar is awesome and you do get quite a bit of money back from fed., state, and/or local goverment if you install it. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/3 "2007-09-18T23:06:51Z")
This Old House featured solar shingles on a recent show. Here’s an article on their web site, including links to suppliers: [http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1205866,00.html#](http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1205866,00.html#) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/4 "2007-09-18T23:12:29Z")
Interesting. When I did a google search on solar shingles earlier, I found an article on Bob Vila’s web site. Gotta keep up with the Joneses, I guess! ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/5 "2007-09-18T23:19:59Z")
One of my very good friends sells solar stuff in the area. He’s very well informed, and he’s also very passionate about it. If you’re interested, I could send you his info. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/6 "2007-09-19T01:21:57Z")
Solar shingles are a lot pricier per Watt that conventional solar panels. If you take this example: [http://solarhome.org/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=312](http://solarhome.org/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=312) it works out to be $7/Watt. Here is a conventional panel: [Evergreen Solar Panels](http://solarhome.org/solarpanelbrand_evergreen.html) that works out to be $4.67 / Watt Now, it’s true that you save on mounting brackets, but the shingles are slower to install, because you need to drill holes in the roof decking. Of course, you save on the price of shingles, so the price differential is a little less than the figures above. They do look much nicer than panels, and that’s worth something. One thing to consider is orientation. You need to have a pretty much South-facing slope for these to work. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/7 "2007-09-19T01:36:31Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] OK, I need a new roof and, being the Green Guy that I am, I’m thinking solar. But I don’t much care for those raised solar panels. Apparently there is an option for integrating the PV elements into what looks like ordinary shingles. I assume they are more expensive, and not quite as efficient (due to design constraints and added heating without airflow underneath). Does anyone have any experience with these things? Advice would be appreciated. I’m also interested in durability as compared to conventional panels. [/QUOTE] I looked into them a little and talked to my installer about them. I actually think my panels have a certain techie coolness factor. The Panels are suppose to last 25+ years. The Shingles were rated lower, but I don’t recall how much lower. I think it was still 20 years. My panels are only raised a few inches are you sure this is too much? Have you started looking into any state rebates or grants for your area? They might limit your tech choices. Jim ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/8 "2007-09-19T02:58:00Z")
If this is a hijack, pardon me–but I would really like to get either solar panels or these shingle styles, but since I live in Portland OR (residents motto: “yes, it does rain a lot here, thanks for asking!”) I’m a little dubious as to whether or not they’d be worth installing. My house is tiny, about 700SF, oriented with the long axis (30’) running N/S. I have two big rectangles of roof, one oriented due east with a HUGE maple that overhangs and shades it all spring and summer, but the west side is unobstructed. Pitch on the roof is about 3:10 (rise/run) and there’s nothing that faces south at all. Would I just be pissing money away buying solar panels, or would they actually do me any good? I’m not expecting to get off the grid or anything, but I wouldn’t mind encouraging PGE’s stranglehold on my wallet to loosen a bit… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/9 "2007-09-19T03:01:42Z")
[QUOTE=SmartAleq] If this is a hijack, pardon me–but I would really like to get either solar panels or these shingle styles, but since I live in Portland OR (residents motto: “yes, it does rain a lot here, thanks for asking!”) I’m a little dubious as to whether or not they’d be worth installing. My house is tiny, about 700SF, oriented with the long axis (30’) running N/S. I have two big rectangles of roof, one oriented due east with a HUGE maple that overhangs and shades it all spring and summer, but the west side is unobstructed. Pitch on the roof is about 3:10 (rise/run) and there’s nothing that faces south at all. Would I just be pissing money away buying solar panels, or would they actually do me any good? I’m not expecting to get off the grid or anything, but I wouldn’t mind encouraging PGE’s stranglehold on my wallet to loosen a bit… :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] I would say that trying to mount to your roof would be close to worthless. Do you have a sunny open spot in your yard? Another option is to put up solar racks or even a small pole barn with a southern roof for the panels. I had to cut down a large oak tree to clear my southern exposure. However I have a ranch with the roof facing due south. Jim ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/10 "2007-09-19T04:58:39Z")
[QUOTE=psycat90] One of my very good friends sells solar stuff in the area. He’s very well informed, and he’s also very passionate about it. If you’re interested, I could send you his info. [/QUOTE] Can you send me a personal message with his contact info? Thanks. BTW, I just got _From Vines to Wines_ in the mail today from Amazon. I skimmed it earlier this evening, and it looks exactly like what I was looking for! ---
**Author:** ![cedman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cedman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cedman)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/11 "2007-09-19T11:49:34Z")
[QUOTE=psycat90] One of my very good friends sells solar stuff in the area. He’s very well informed, and he’s also very passionate about it. If you’re interested, I could send you his info. [/QUOTE] I’d like some more info too please. Although I’m in NC and he’s in CA, knowledge is still power eh? Thanks, CedricR. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/12 "2007-09-19T15:52:15Z")
PMs sent John Mace and cedman. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/13 "2007-09-19T16:32:06Z")
> [@](#): > > I live in Portland OR (residents motto: “yes, it does rain a lot here, thanks for asking!”) [hijack]Hmmm. Having just got done with 6 years in Eugene, I can honestly say that this is just a rumor started to discourage others from moving there. Sure, it’s a little cloudy for half the year, but what you guys call rain is just a pathetic drizzle. Then, during the summer months, rain is all you can pray for. Until i moved there, I don’t think I ever went such a long stretch without rain.[/hijack] With respect to the solar panels i only wonder how long they last before they have to be replaced. Do they lose efficiency over time? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/14 "2007-09-19T16:36:08Z")
[QUOTE=Christopher] [hijack]Hmmm. Having just got done with 6 years in Eugene, I can honestly say that this is just a rumor started to discourage others from moving there. Sure, it’s a little cloudy for half the year, but what you guys call rain is just a pathetic drizzle. Then, during the summer months, rain is all you can pray for. Until i moved there, I don’t think I ever went such a long stretch without rain.[/hijack] With respect to the solar panels i only wonder how long they last before they have to be replaced. Do they lose efficiency over time? [/QUOTE] The Shingles have a 20 year guarantee the panels I have are 25 years. I imagine there must be some loss of efficiency, but apparently it is nothing dramatic. Jim ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/15 "2007-09-19T17:03:29Z")
[QUOTE=psycat90] PMs sent John Mace and cedman. [/QUOTE] Got it. Thanks. Looks like they are only doing panels, though, not shingles. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/16 "2007-09-19T17:50:00Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Got it. Thanks. Looks like they are only doing panels, though, not shingles. [/QUOTE] Yea, saw that after I looked over the site a little more. Ahh well, he’s still pretty knowledgeable on that stuff. I know he’ll be at the [Green Festival in SF](http://www.greenfestivals.org/content/view/7/29/) in November. You might get some more good info there. I’ve never been to this festival, I’m considering checking it out this year. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/17 "2007-09-19T18:04:54Z")
I was at a Green Festival in Santa Cruz recently, but that wasn’t about solar power. 🙂 There’s actually something up in SF this month, but that’s a bit of a drive for me. I’m looking into events closer to SJ. ---
**Author:** ![cedman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cedman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cedman)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-much-about-solar-shingles/419653/18 "2007-09-19T18:53:14Z")
[QUOTE=psycat90] PMs sent John Mace and cedman. [/QUOTE] Thanks! CedricR.