Solar roof shingles are the answer to many homeowner’s dreams if they want to take advantage of solar energy without the characteristic bulkiness of traditional solar panels.

Homeowner’s wish to capitalize on solar energy without making too much of a dent in the way they live. This includes keeping in line with the design of their home which makes solar roof shingles a great alternative to regular solar panels.

What makes solar roof shingles such a popular choice amongst homeowners is their ability to mimic the look of regular shingles and blend in with the surrounding roofing system, this allows them to benefit from the financial savings that come from the solar power generated through solar roof shingles without the usual telltale signs that come from having traditional solar panel arrays.

Solar roof shingles closely resemble regular roofing shingles and are barely discernable from them, they also come in blue and black and can blend into the existing look of your home which is why they are known as building integrated photovoltaic shingles because of the ability of solar roof shingles to be integrated into the actual construction phase when building a home or the introduction of solar roof shingles should homeowner’s wish to take advantage of this option at a later date.

Solar roof shingles operate by acting like miniature solar panels with each shingle capturing and converting the energy of the sun ready for use.  Each shingle is comprised of a crystalline silicon substance and is around 12 inches wide and can generate up to 200 watts of electricity.  When a greater surface area is used such as the entire area of your roof with each solar roof shingle working in tandem with each other, can provide more than enough energy to satisfy your home’s energy requirements.  This is dependent upon the amount of sunlight captured by the solar roof shingles and on days of low sunlight levels, an auxiliary backup system is deployed to make up the shortfall.

There are several advantages of having solar roof shingles:

Having solar roof shingles raises the value of your home and makes an attractive buying feature amongst homebuyers because the cost is already added into the price of the home.   Plenty of homebuyers prefer to buy homes with existing solar power systems implemented than to go to further expense and trouble should they explore this option in the future.  They already know that buying a home with an existing solar power system will allow them to start saving money immediately making solar roof shingles a great financial investment.

At present there are 39 states that support alternative energy initiatives, in particular that of solar energy, putting more power back into the hands of residential homeowners.  This initiative allows homeowners to sell back their unused portion of power to the utility company on days where an excess is collected, for a credit.  This is essence means that your power is free making the initial installation costs of solar roof shingles, financially favorable.

If you are interested in renewable energy for your home but don’t want the telltale solar panels on your roof then solar roof shingles might be for you. Not only will you be doing your bit for the environment but you can maintain the aesthetics of your home. You can have the substance of solar energy going forward with the style of solar shingles to match the shape or color you desire.

Solar shingles are a relatively new innovation in the field of alternative renewable energy technologies. They introduce a new angle to the increasingly common and conventional solar panel.   The trend is catching on as it provides all benefits that come with solar energy harnessing with a solar panel without sacrificing the aesthetic look of a home or residence. This makes solar shingles a popular attraction for residential homeowners and may facilitate the transition of solar energy generation from few and far between to common place in suburbs throughout the world.

Also known as photovoltaic shingles, solar shingles only appeared on the scene as recently as 2005 and is a specialized product manufactured by only 3 companies to date, which are (AES) Atlantis Energy Systems, Solar Components Corporation and SunPower Corporation.

The reason why their popularity is catching on is because they are created to mimic regular asphalt roof shingles and blend seamlessly into existing roofing.  Most people wouldn’t think at first glance that they were actual miniature photovoltaic cells each harvesting and storing the energy from the sun.

Solar shingles act like mini solar panels, each capturing sunlight, converting it into usable energy.  When sunlight strikes a semiconductor layer on the shingle which is composed of a crystalline form of silicon, it generates electricity.  They are around 12 inches wide and of themselves only generate around 100 to 150 watts of energy, however when packed side by side covering a roof can provide adequate surface area to capture enough sunlight to power an entire household.

Having solar shingles doesn’t necessarily mean going completely solo as most solar powered systems work in conjunction with existing power supplies for the days that produce little sunlight and after dark.  The benefits are clear about going down the solar energy route especially in times when you produce an excess of energy, around 39 states support the solar energy initiative allowing residential homeowners to sell unused power back to the utility companies for a credit.  Instead of accruing charges for using power from the power companies, your meter actually operates in reverse, adding up to some decent savings.

Because they are more expensive to install than regular solar panels, these are more of a crowd pleaser because of their ability to blend into a home’s existing look, and although they may be a little pricey upfront, with the energy savings over time you will eventually recoup your initial investment.

Here are some of the benefits of going the solar shingle route:

1. Reduction of carbon emissions through fossil fuel independence

2. Sustainable energy that will never run out

3. Kinder to the environment and to the carbon footprint of everyone using this type of energy

4.Energy bill savings allowing you to recoup your initial outlay

5. Aesthetically pleasing, allowing regular people to make the jump to green without altering the continuity of their homes look

6. Tax breaks from state rebates

7. Increased home value making solar shingles a sound investment

8. Can withstand up to 80 mph winds

9. Long lasting for up to 20 years and comes with a standard 5 year warranty backed by the manufacturer

So convinced this is a viable option for the future of sustainable energy that manufacturers are currently in negotiations with construction companies in the state of California to further explore this avenue.  Their vision is to incorporate this technology into brand new homes, starting at the construction process.

Not only will new homeowners be able to take advantage of the energy from solar shingles but it will be readily available and pre-installed.  This avoids new homeowners from having to go to additional expense to install them at a later date should they opt for this choice.  The cost is already absorbed into the price of the new home without the new home buyer ever feeling the financial impact of having such technology.

Solar shingles will also be used in office blocks and buildings so that they can provide some power to the building and thus reduce energy costs and put less of a burden on traditional energy resources.

The extra perk is the reducing dependence upon fossil fuels for your energy needs, reduced emissions associated with solar energy generation and savings on your energy bills.  It’s a solution that has so many positives to it.

So if you have been put off solar power because you don’t like bulky solar panels atop of your house then solar shingles might be an option for you. However they will be more expensive than normal panels so this has to be factored in if solar shingles appeal to you.