Advice on saving energy costs with solar roofing shingles

Harness the power of the sun and save on energy costs with solar roofing shingles.

Canadians are becoming more aware of environmental factors and the high cost of energy. We have begun to explore ways to produce and use energy in a more responsible way. Thanks to advances in thin-film solar cell technology and more efficient storage methods, solar energy is recognized as the most popular choice among alternative energy options.

Some of the benefits provided by a solar shingle roof are:

• Homeowners reap free electricity without lifting a finger
• Surplus energy can be sold back to local electric providers
• Solar shingles provide double duty, gathering electrical power while also providing the protection of a traditional roof
• Your electric bill will be lower, saving you money in the long run

Solar shingles (also called photovoltaic shingles) are solar cells designed to look like conventional asphalt shingles. Unlike solar panels, which stick up above the roof line, solar roofing shingles function just like traditional asphalt shingles. They lay flat on the roof and offer no additional resistance to weather conditions.

Other than the reflective surface on solar shingles, there is little or no difference in the appearance of the two. Solar shingles are installed the same way regular shingles are put in place – by nailing them directly onto the roof deck.

The amount of power you will be able to harvest from a solar shingle roof depends upon a number of things, like the direction the roof is facing, and the amount of slope on the roof. Roof systems that include a wooden base, a slope between 15 and 40 degrees, and face south, seem to produce the highest power yield.

Location can play a role, as well. For example, in Ontario a homeowner could reasonably expect to harvest approximately 11KWh – 14.5KWh per year from each square foot of solar shingles.

Like any roofing installation, the cost of installing solar shingles can vary, but you can expect it to cost $30,000 or more to cover an average-sized home. Tax incentives can provide a savings of as much as 30 per cent of that amount, however. Many cities and provinces also offer local tax incentives to anyone who purchases a solar roof.

Keep in mind that as the years pass and you continue to reap energy from the power of the sun, the energy savings will continue, as well.