Solar energy as an alternative power source is gaining popularity. Some even fully switched. But, there’s always been a debate about whether or not solar panels or solar roofing is best.
Solar energy as an alternative power source is gaining popularity. Some even fully switched. But, there’s always been a debate about whether or not solar panels or solar roofing is best.
You need to account for installation costs, maintenance, and house orientation. It’s a viable solution to save electricity—unfortunately, it’s not for everyone.
Call qualified solar roofing contractors so you can gauge if it’s a good investment. Before doing so, it’s best to have a baseline understanding of what solar roofing is.
What is Solar Roofing?
Unlike solar panels, solar roofing is made of solar shingles. These are made of thin photovoltaic (PV) sheets that use sunlight to convert photons into electricity.
The solar shingles can be overlaid on existing shingles or used to replace old shingles entirely depending on the material and roofing situation.
The initial cost if you need to replace the entire roof might not be worth it. But in most cases, solar roofing is a great investment that can save you money in the long run.
5 Reasons To Consider Investing In Solar Roofing
If you’re still on the fence, here are five reasons why you should consider investing in solar roofing.
Reduce Electricity Costs
In the short term, you need to pay $5,000 for solar roofing systems. On the higher end, you can pay upwards of $40,000. You’d also need solar batteries that cost between $200 to $14,000.
But, after these initial costs and very little maintenance, the savings stack up quickly. For example, the average monthly electricity bill in the U.S. is around $125.
Source: Unsplash
If you use a solar roofing system that can handle your daily energy use, you could save up to $1,500 per year. It would take about eight years to break even on your initial payments.
That’s not that long considering solar roofing can last anywhere between 25-50 years depending on the material and maintenance.
Tax Breaks
Installing solar roofing makes you eligible for federal and state rebate programs. For example, the Federal Tax Credit (2022) gave a 26% rebate on new solar roofing installations.
There’s also a Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency you can look into that can get you thousands of dollars worth of discounts depending on the State you’re in.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Solar energy helps in offsetting our carbon footprint. Even the production of PV roofing and solar batteries won’t take long to pay off their carbon debt.
A 10kW solar roof can reduce around 4 tons of carbon emissions yearly. That equates to planting 100 trees. And, larger systems have larger impacts on carbon reduction.
Easier Maintenance Vs Solar Panels
Solar panels require constant maintenance and checkups. If you’re using solar panels, you can expect around $400-$740 annually for maintenance costs.
Meanwhile, solar roofing rarely requires you to do maintenance. In some cases, you wouldn’t even need to touch your solar roofing system for close to 20 years.
Better Aesthetic
Solar panels can be an eyesore depending on the aesthetic you’re going for. But, solar shingles fit right on your roof. You save money and you don’t need to compromise for aesthetics.
Source: Unsplash
If you’re planning on selling your home, solar shingles can also become a huge selling point. Who wouldn’t want a house that already saves them electricity?!
Key Takeaways
Solar roofing is one of the best options for reducing our carbon footprint, lowering electricity costs, and elevating the value of our home.
As a recap, here are some important details you need to know before investing in a solar roofing system:
- New solar roofing systems cost more upfront but save you more in the long term.
- Installing new solar systems makes you eligible for tax breaks and rebates.
- Solar roofing lasts for over 20 years. If maintained properly, it can last up to 50 years