Solar roofing is the newest trend in home energy. Evolving from the traditional panels, this new, sleek roofing uses shingles and tiles to harness energy for your home while saving you money.
To get you up to speed, solar roofing consists of small photovoltaic (PV) cells made from monocrystalline silicone, a tough semiconductor material. The PV cells are then interconnected to form the shingles. When the roofing is installed, the PV cells absorb the sunlight, converting it into energy that powers your home.
In many cases, solar roofing companies often provide battery storage stations where extra energy stored from the day can be tucked away and used at night, during outages, or when energy consumption is higher than usual.
Solar roofing’s impressive quality and technology have also grown over the past few decades. Instead of bulk traditional panels, now you have sleek designs to fit better architecturally with your home and come with multiple color options. And thanks to their interlocking technology, solar shingles manage to stand against extreme weather conditions, providing you with decades of high-quality solar performance.
But the true highlight is its cost-effectiveness. As soon as shingles are installed by skilled contractors, they start converting energy, saving you money from day one. It’s the reason why more and more homeowners are taking the first steps into solar-powered energy.
But with so many options available, which one is right for your budget and energy use? To make the decision easier for you, here are our top 5 solar roofing options that we know you’ll love.
1. GAF Energy
GAF’s award-winning Timberline Solar Roofing system makes for a dependable, all-in-one energy solution. Thanks to them being the first nailable solar energy shingle, GAF’s handcrafted monocrystalline shingles offer durable roofing that can resist wind speeds up to 130 mph.
On top of that, if you’re also looking for full solar roofing to compliment your home’s style, GAF offers multiple color options, such as Birchwood, Charcoal, Weathered Wood, and Pewter Grey.
Backed by an already industry-leading warranty that protects your roof for 25 years, GAF is the perfect fit for anyone who wants a reliable and straightforward solar energy option.
2. CertainTeed
CertainTeed’s solar shingles and tiles offer some of the highest energy efficiency on the market. Their acclaimed Apollo II and Apollo Tile II solar products utilize high-quality monocrystalline silicon solar cells to help maximize the absorption of sunlight.
Their black monocrystalline cells boast 70 watts per shingle, creating a heavy, durable roof that can protect against high winds and leaks.
CertainTeed has years of experience in the solar roofing industry and is great for any homeowner who wants a fair price for the same polished look offered by their competitors.
3. Solr
Solr is a unique choice for those who want a unique design. The manufacturers create a thin PV material that can easily be merged into your roof and resist winds up to 160 mph.
Due to the film-like material, Solr is an excellent option for homeowners with metal roofing due to its ability to bend safely with the metal design.
4. Tesla Solar Roof
Tesla’s solar roof may be one of the newest on this list, but they’re already proving themselves to be one of the best options on the market today.
Like with all of their products, Tesla prides itself on innovation. So when they ventured into solar roofing, the company ensured it was a giant leap in solar evolution. The result was the first full solar roof. And with an improved state-of-the-art shingle design that turns heads, the solar panels flawlessly integrate into your roof and elevate the look of your home.
Telsa also offers Powerwall, a compact home battery with 24/7 energy. The best part is that you can manage your energy consumption at your fingertips with the Tesla app.
Although the pricier option, Teslas’s futuristic design is great for the homeowner who wants the sleekness and added security that many other companies don’t offer.
5. Luma Solar
Luma Solar‘s emphasis on advanced solar technology and customization makes them one of the most desired solar roofing options on this list. Their outstanding 80-watt shingles utilize high-converting solar energy cells to harness as much sunlight as possible. This results in higher output performance, giving your home more energy.
Luma Solar offers personalization with various battery storage levels and material options for you to choose from. Luma Solar is also the only company that allows you to upgrade your solar roofing to better adapt to your changing energy consumption.
And just like Tesla, you can take keep track of your energy consumption with the Luma Solar smartphone app.
Luma Solar is the best option if you want a fully customizable roof service with solar technology that rivals its competitors.
Choosing a Solar Roof
With their innovative design, it’s no wonder why solar roofing is increasingly becoming the more popular option for energy solutions. And now that you know all the best solar roofing options out there, you can better determine what brand will work best for your home and lifestyle.
Get in contact with your local roofing company today and talk to them about installing your first solar roof.