What are solar shingles? They are an innovative technology that replaces the existing roof shingles with photovoltaic cells, which converts the light from the sun into home electricity. Solar shingles can help you save money and at the same time help the environment by not generating hydrocarbons and eliminating or reducing electricity use at home which is produced by carbon-dioxide emitting power plants. Finally you can use suns free energy in an efficient, cost effective way!
Solar shingles came as a result of advancement in solar cell technology. The usual solar shingles are 12 inches wide and can be placed as a group or form an overlapping pattern on the roof. They can form a patchwork pattern when mixed with asphalt shingles, which cover the whole roof.

These shingles are connected to each other and to either an inverter or battery for storage. The inverter converts the electric current into usable AC. If there’s no batter for storage the excess electricity immediately goes to the power grid and sold to the power company.

Solar shingles may be more expensive than the regular solar panels houses use, but these expenses are paid off when you sum up the savings on electricity usage and the roofing tiles that they replace.

Initially, it will cost around a lot of money to install the entire roof with solar shingles, but most homes use only a section or two, just enough for their energy needs. In a sunny area, a whole roof of solar shingles can supply energy for the entire house and even have some excess which can give you additional income by selling it to the power company.

However, it’s not advisable that you install solar shingles on your own unless you have roofing experience or you have been trained by a manufacturer. Don’t just settle for an ordinary roofer who might just be claiming that he knows how to install solar shingles. You should get one who has the experience and comes from a contractor referral service.

Solar shingles are manufactured by two leading companies: Atlantis Energy Systems, which produces 13 watts and United Solar-Ovonic with 17 watts. The federal government and many states give tax credits and subsidies to homes that install solar shingles for their roof.

There’s a package online that includes all the necessary tools and resources you need to generate your own electricity at home, cutting on expenses and helping the environment. This is Earth4Energy, an innovative and cost-efficient manner of setting up your own energy system. Start building your own energy system for less than $200 now!