Solar panels are not exactly known for their aesthetic appeal. They can be bulky and often detract from the aesthetic coherence of the building on which they are placed. This is part of the reason that the solar roof has steadily grown in popularity. Competition is fierce, but this solar roof is able to produce 57 watts per shingle, potentially displacing its Tesla competitor.
What is a solar shingle and how does it fare in comparison the solar panel?
Our nearest point of reference when trying to understand what the solar shingle adds to the market, is the solar panel. However, the two are not exactly comparable and any attempt to weigh the one up against the other does not take into account the innate differences between the technologies.
Even so, it might be useful to use the solar panel as a tool for understanding the solar shingle. Solar panels are installed on the roofs of houses on metal racks. This requires the drilling of dozens of holes into the roof membrane. Damage arising from installation is usually not covered under the warranty.
Solar shingles, on the other hand, are part of the roof. They are nailed into roofs like your typical asphalt shingle and sit flat against the roof. The electrical components of the shingles are stored in the conduit on the front of each shingle. Solar shingles are less obvious than solar panels.
The energy outputs of the two devices are also quite different. The average wattage of a solar panel ranges between 250 and 400 watts while the solar shingle typically produces 70 watts per unit. More solar shingles need to be installed to match the energy outputs of a solar panel.
Why has this surprise contender risen so in popularity?
In 2021, GAF Energy premiered its Timberline solar shingles to a market desperate for a more affordable alternative to the Tesla solar shingle (a price disparity that could be exacerbated by this recent scandal facing Tesla). Since 2021, 1.5 million of the 5 million solar roofs installed across 16 states are Timberline solar roofs.
Timberline solar shingles have what is likely the highest efficiency rating of all the solar shingles on the market at approximately 23%. This means that the Timberline solar shingle gives you the most bang for your buck as very little of the energy produced is lost to the operational needs of the shingle.
The Timberline solar roof is compatible with a good deal of the battery options on the market. These batteries, along with the rest of the solar roof, can be installed by any licensed contractor in GAF’s extensive network. Depending on the competition in an area, the prices of installation can be lower.
The string inverters used by GAF Energy are Delta and SolarEdge inverters. These inverters convert solar energy into electrical energy that can be used in your home. SolarEdge inverters are easy to find and very efficient with a good warranty. The shingle is also cheaper than its higher-end Tesla counterpart.
How does the Timberline solar shingle compare to other products on the market?
The energy capabilities of the Timberline solar roof are among the lowest on the market per unit at 45 watts, as compared to the 70 watt average. The product also got off to a rocky start with some shingles being recalled between 2021 and 2023 when they were found to pose a fire risk.
The warrantees provided on the Timberline solar roof are comparable to those of its nearest competitor from Tesla. It guarantees no leaks from manufacturer defects for 25 years. It also offers a 15-year warranty against winds of up to 130 mph while the Tesla Solar Roof guarantees against winds on only 110 mph.
The Tesla Solar Roof looks more seamless, but it is a good deal more expensive than the Timberline solar roof. It is more difficult to establish a set price for the Timberline shingles as they are installed by GAF-certified contractors who set their own rates.
Diversifying the renewable market: the future of the Timberline solar roof
The future for GAF Energy and the Timberline solar roof looks promising. It functions as a budget alternative to the typically pricey solar roof market. GAF Energy could be a key player in making renewables more accessible to the general market of energy consumers (much like this wind panel capable of producing 6,5 kW of energy in your backyard).
