If you have shied away from installing a solar power system in your home, it may be because you are unaware of the latest innovations when it comes to solar shingle. In fact, just the thought of solar power may conjure up images of the 1970s when having this type of power system meant putting huge racks with cumbersome panels atop your home. While this bulky apparatus did the job as far as harnessing the power of the sun, it did little to improve the outbound appearance of your home. In fact, many considered this type of set-up to be downright ugly.
So what could make solar shingles a better alternative for you? Well, for one thing, they're more aesthetically pleasing to the eye. They are a dark bluish-gray in color, so they blend with just about any traditional roof, such as asphalt. They are known for their seamless look, so they will fit right in with the shape of your current roof. And you can also replace the existing roof shingles without having to remove the surrounding roofing material. Plus, they add a layer of installation to your roof, which can help when it comes to saving energy.
Solar shingles are also easy to work with and install. Each one weighs only about 2.5 pounds per square foot, so they are easily portable. While this may seem reliably light, the shingles are extremely effective when it comes to producing energy. Although one shingle only creates about 50 to 200 watts, which is only enough to power a small window fan, an entire roof of shingles can provide enough energy for your entire house. And the added protection provided by solar shingle can add up to 30 years to the life of your roof.
But maybe the best thing about solar shingles in addition to how they look is how they can help you save money. In states like California or Arizona with their brilliant year-round sunshine, you can actually create more energy than you need. This can result in a huge energy credit to you when you sell the excess power back to the local power company. And the recent Federal Stimulus Bill provides even more tax breaks for solar energy users.
So if you've been putting off getting a solar energy system, now might be the perfect time. After all, the cost of energy is not getting any cheaper. You can learn more about solar shingle at roofing systems .
