What Are Solar Roof Shingles?
Solar roof shingle is a fully integrated photovoltaic (PV) building product — otherwise known as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). This means that these shingles collect light from the sun and produce energy that you can use in your home. At a distance, solar shingles look like traditional asphalt shingles. However, when you look closely, you’ll notice that the solar technology is present. What’s more is that they take little-to-no more time to install than your asphalt roof. So if you’re looking to make the switch to solar power, you can do so when you decide to get a new roof.
Why Choose Solar Shingles?
Subtly Integrates with Your Roofing
If you’re getting a new roof soon, or you would like to integrate solar technology into your roof, you have another option than solar panels. Solar shingle systems give you the opportunity to utilize visually stunning and affordable solar technology. Solar shingles easily integrate with your asphalt shingles, making it even easier for your professional roofer to install.
Smart Home Capable
POWERHOUSE™ solar shingles set your house up to be a smart home. A solar shingle system easily integrates with other renewable energy products, such as an EV charger or solar energy battery. With POWERHOUSE™ solar shingles, your house is one step closer to being a fully integrated smart home.
Durability
Solar shingles are considered both a roofing product and a solar product. POWERHOUSE™ solar shingles can withstand the same weathering traditional roofs endure. In fact, POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 solar shingles have a Class A fire rating and can withstand winds up to 200 mph.
Reduces/Eliminates Utility Bills
A major benefit to solar energy is that once you are connected to the grid, you can sell your energy produced back to the utility company. In some cases, you will receive a credit for energy use at a later date.
Generates Clean Energy
At RGS POWERHOUSE™, we believe you can help the environment and save on your utility bills at the same time. Our solar shingle system allows you to generate clean energy.
Increases Your Home’s Overall Value
Home builders are offering solar technology as part of the custom home building process. This means if you’re looking to build your own home, you can still take advantage of solar power.
Double-Dip with Insurance
If you’ve unfortunately experienced a casualty, then insurance proceeds may cover the cost of your roof. This is a win-win for homeowners who need a new roof and would like to integrate solar technology.
Federal Tax Credits & Incentives
Solar shingles are eligible to be claimed under the federal tax credit incentive for solar roofing systems. When you have solar shingles installed, you can claim up to 30% in tax credit. Additionally, your local utility and state may offer renewable energy incentives for solar installations.
Virtually Maintenance Free
Once your solar shingles are installed and implemented properly, you will find that it requires little-to-no maintenance to keep running properly. There’s very little that will keep your shingles from consistently producing power. POWERHOUSE™ solar shingles boast impressive durability and have passed fire, hail, and wind tests, so you can rest assured knowing your roof is working for you.
No Technological Obsolescence
While technology is continually improving, you do not need to worry about your solar shingle system becoming obsolete. We have designed our POWERHOUSE™ solar shingle with a removable solar insert, in the event it needs to be upgraded. The solar insert can easily be replaced with the removal of just 6 screws.
How Do Solar Shingles Work?
After installation, the solar shingles collect energy from the sun and convert it
into DC power.
The DC power from the solar shingles are sent to a solar inverter, where it is converted into AC power for use in your home.
AC Power travels from the solar inverter to your electrical breaker box.
The utility meter measures your electrical supply. When your solar shingle system produces more power than you need, the meter spins backwards as that power is sent to the grid. Your next utility bill is credited for the power you’ve added to the grid.