Quick answer
Solar Shingles are roofing products with solar cells built in, installed as part of the roof covering itself instead of mounted on racks above it.
They are a form of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). They shed water like ordinary shingles and generate electricity, but produce fewer watts per square foot than panels and are usually installed when the roof itself is being replaced.
Quick facts
The key facts about solar shingles, with sources:
- Category
- Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) 1
- Example output
- 57 W per shingle (GAF Timberline Solar ES 2, launched February 2025) 4
- Code listing
- UL 7103, required for BIPV roofing by the 2021 IBC and IRC 2
- Module safety standard
- UL 61730-1 and -2, which superseded UL 1703 on 4 Dec 2019 3
- Fire rating example
- UL 790 Class A (Timberline Solar, 2021 sheet) 3
- When it fits
- A roof that needs replacing anyway, where appearance matters
Key takeaways
- Solar shingles are part of the roof itself. They keep out water and make power.
- They make fewer watts per square foot than panels, so the same roof holds a smaller system.
- They must pass roofing tests too. The 2021 IBC and IRC require BIPV roofing to be listed to UL 7103.
- They make most sense when the roof needs replacing anyway and looks matter.
- Get the roof warranty and the power warranty in writing, and know who fixes each.
Roofing first, solar second
A normal solar panel sits on rails bolted through the roof. A solar shingle replaces part of the roof instead. The DOE describes building-integrated PV as solar built directly into a building’s roof or wall.
Because the product is the roof, it has to pass roofing tests as well as electrical ones. UL 7103, titled an outline of investigation for BIPV roof coverings, covers fire, impact, wind, wind-driven rain and weather aging.
The DOE also notes that BIPV products have been sold for over a decade, but adoption "has been slower than predicted".
How a solar shingle roof works
Each energy shingle holds a strip of solar cells under a tough top layer. On the GAF Timberline Solar sheet, each one makes 45 W and about 11 volts.
Shingles are wired together in series, one after another, so their voltage adds up. The GAF sheet allows up to 48 in a row. The wiring runs under the roof surface to an inverter, which turns the power into the AC your home uses.
Ordinary roofing shingles fill the rest of the roof. They look similar, so the roof reads as one surface.
Sources: [3]
Types of solar roofing
| Type | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Nailable solar shingles | Flat solar strips nailed among ordinary asphalt shingles | GAF Timberline Solar is one example 3 |
| Solar roof tiles | Glass tiles across the whole roof, some active and some look-alike | Often called a "solar roof" |
| Thin-film roofing | Flexible thin-film cells built into metal or membrane roofing | Light weight; lower output |
| In-roof panels | Panels set into the roof plane in place of some roofing | Look flatter than racked panels |
What a solar shingle data sheet shows
| Line | Value |
|---|---|
| Power (Pmax) | 45 W per energy shingle |
| Cell type | Monocrystalline PERC |
| Temperature coefficient (Pmax) | −0.39%/°C |
| Fire / wind / impact | UL 790 Class A; ASTM D3161 Class F; UL 2218 Class 1 |
| Module and BIPV certification | UL 61730-1 and -2; UL 7103 |
| Rapid shutdown | NEC 690.12; UL 3741 |
| Weight | 10.1 lb per shingle; 3.36 lb per sq ft installed |
| Allowed roof pitch | 2:12 or steeper |
| Roof deck needed | At least 7/16 in OSB or 15/32 in plywood |
Sources: [3]
Example: the same 6 kW on shingles and on panels
An illustration using published ratings only. It counts product, not roof layout, setbacks or shade.
| Product | Rated power | Units for 6,000 W | Watts per sq ft of coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAF Timberline Solar ES 2 4 | 57 W; about 60 × 7.56 in exposed | 106 shingles | about 18 W/sq ft |
| REC Alpha Pure-RX 470 5 | 470 W on 22.4 sq ft | 13 panels | about 21 W/sq ft |
The shingles need roughly 15% more roof area for the same nameplate power in this pairing, and over a hundred connections instead of thirteen.
In return, there is no separate array on top of the roof.
Shingles sit right on the roof deck without the air gap under a racked panel, so heat matters more; compare temperature coefficients.
Where solar shingles fit best
New homes and full re-roofs are the main use. One crew plan covers the roof and the solar. See solar for new construction.
Streets where looks matter come next: historic districts, HOAs and street-facing roofs.
They fit less well on small roofs where every watt counts, and on roofs that do not need replacing yet.
Benefits and limits of solar shingles
Benefits
- Low profile that reads as roofing, which can matter for HOAs and historic streets.
- One project replaces the roof and adds solar.
- No rail bolts through a finished roof.
- Tested as roofing, including fire, wind and impact ratings 3.
Limits
- Fewer watts per square foot, so a smaller system on the same roof.
- Fewer certified installers; repairs need both roofing and solar skills.
- Less airflow behind the cells, so more heat loss in summer.
- Moving or expanding the system later is harder than with panels.
Limits to plan around
Heat is a bigger issue than with racked panels. The GAF sheet lists −0.39% per degree, higher than most current panels. A shingle on a hot roof deck loses more at midday.
Roof shape matters. The GAF product needs a pitch of at least 2:12 and a solid deck. Low-slope roofs may not qualify.
Fewer products and installers exist. If a maker leaves the market, parts and service can get harder to find. Ask how replacements are stocked.
What drives the cost of solar shingles
HyreSolar does not publish solar shingle prices. A shingle quote combines a full re-roof with a solar system. Compare it with the total of a roof replacement plus a panel system, not with panels alone.
The main drivers are roof size and shape, the number of active shingles, labor for both trades, and the inverter. The roof-before-solar check helps decide whether the roof needs replacing first.
The federal 25D homeowner credit ended for systems placed in service after 31 December 2025, the IRS says. Be wary of any quote that still counts it.
Sources: [6]
How solar shingles are installed
A certified roofer and a licensed electrician share the job. Never install them yourself.
- The installer checks the roof pitch, deck and shade, and models yearly kWh.
- They apply for a building permit (roofing) and an electrical permit (solar).
- They apply to the utility to connect, a step called interconnection.
- Crews tear off the old roof and repair the deck if needed.
- They lay underlayment, then nail energy shingles and ordinary shingles in courses.
- An electrician wires the shingles to the inverter and the rapid-shutdown system.
- Inspectors check the roof and the wiring. The utility grants permission to operate.
Caring for a solar shingle roof
Watch your monitoring app. A drop in one section can mean a failed shingle or connector.
After big storms, have the roof checked from the ground or by a pro. Do not walk on it yourself. Our guide to storm damage and insurance explains claims.
Keep gutters and valleys clear so water flows off as designed.
Warning signs and when to call a pro
Call the installer for any of these. A damaged shingle is both a leak risk and an electrical repair.
- Water stains on the ceiling or in the attic.
- Cracked, lifted or missing shingles after wind or hail.
- Output dropping in part of the roof.
- Burn marks, buzzing or a hot smell near the roof or inverter.
Safety rule
A solar roof is live in daylight. Roofers who do not know the system must not cut or nail into it. Call the installer.
Codes and standards that apply
Roofing listing. UL says "the 2021 editions of the IBC and IRC require BIPV roofing systems to be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 7103." Whether your area uses those editions is a question for the local building department.
Electrical safety. The GAF sheet lists UL 61730-1 and -2 for the module and notes they superseded UL 1703 on 4 December 2019. It also lists rapid shutdown to NEC 690.12, which lets firefighters cut roof voltage; see rapid shutdown.
Local adoption. In South Carolina, the SC Building Codes Council lists the 2021 codes as in force. Other states and cities adopt on their own timelines.
Solar shingles vs rack-mounted panels
| Solar shingles | Rack-mounted mono panels | |
|---|---|---|
| What it replaces | Part of the roof covering | Nothing; sits above the roof |
| Watts per sq ft (example) | About 18 4 | About 21 5 |
| Temp. coefficient (example) | −0.39%/°C 3 | −0.24%/°C 5 |
| Code listing | UL 7103 plus UL 61730 2 3 | UL 61730 |
| Best time to install | With a new roof | Any time the roof has years left |
| Later repair | Roofer plus solar electrician | Solar installer |
Misconceptions
- Myth Solar shingles make as much power as panels.
- Reality They make fewer watts per square foot, about 18 against 21 in our example.
- Myth Any roofer can install them.
- Reality They need maker-trained crews and a licensed electrician.
- Myth They are just thin panels glued to the roof.
- Reality They are the roof. They must pass roofing tests under UL 7103 2.
- Myth Shingles avoid roof leaks entirely.
- Reality They avoid rail bolts, but every shingle is part of the waterproofing. Poor install can still leak.
Solar shingles in SC, GA and VA
South Carolina enforces 2021 state building codes based on the 2021 IRC and IBC, the editions that first required UL 7103 listing for BIPV roofing 7 2. SC LLR registers solar panel installers as a residential specialty, separate from roofing 8.
Georgia Power caps residential renewable systems at 10 kW 9. Virginia allows residential net metering up to 25 kW on investor-owned utilities 10. Coastal storms make wind and impact ratings worth checking in all three states.
What to ask before signing
- Who warrants the roof and who warrants the power, and for how long? Get both in writing; see workmanship warranties.
- Is the product listed to UL 7103, and has the local building department accepted it?
- What will the system make per year, compared with a panel quote on the same roof?
- How is a damaged shingle replaced after a storm, and does your home policy treat it as roofing or equipment?
- Does your roof need replacing now? If not, panels may be the better fit; see re-roof before solar.
Next steps
Questions about solar shingles
Are solar shingles worth it compared with panels?
Usually only if you need a new roof and care about looks. Panels deliver more watts per square foot and are easier to service. Shingles combine roofing and solar in one project. Compare a shingle quote with a new roof plus panels, not with panels alone.
How much power does a solar shingle produce?
GAF Energy rates its Timberline Solar ES 2 at 57 W per shingle. The 2021 first generation was 45 W. A roof needs about 106 ES 2 shingles for 6 kW of rated power. Real yearly output depends on roof direction, tilt, shade and heat.
Do solar shingles need a building permit?
Yes. They are both roofing and an electrical system, so expect building and electrical permits and inspections. UL says the 2021 IBC and IRC require BIPV roofing to be listed to UL 7103. Your local building department decides which code edition applies.
Can you walk on solar shingles?
Leave it to the installer and follow the maker’s manual. Products differ, and a damaged shingle is both a leak risk and an electrical repair. The roof is also live in daylight, so untrained people should stay off it.
Are solar shingles the same as a solar roof?
Not quite. "Solar roof" usually means a full-roof tile system with active and look-alike tiles. Solar shingles can also mean strips mixed with ordinary asphalt shingles. Both are building-integrated PV.
How long do solar shingles last?
It depends on the product and its warranty. Ask for two warranties: one for the roof and one for power output. Get the years and the yearly loss rate in writing. Because the product is your roof, its weather ratings matter as much as its electrical specs.
Do solar shingles work in hot weather?
Yes, but they lose more power in heat than racked panels. The GAF sheet lists −0.39% per degree, and shingles sit right on the roof deck with little air behind them. In hot states, ask for a production estimate that accounts for this.
Can solar shingles be added to an existing roof?
Nailable shingles can sometimes be added to part of a roof, but most projects pair them with a full re-roof. If your roof has many years left, rack-mounted panels are usually the simpler choice.
Are solar shingles fire rated?
Many are. The GAF Timberline Solar sheet lists UL 790 Class A, the highest roof fire class, and says to follow the installation manual to reach a system rating. Ask for the fire rating of the exact product and roof assembly you are buying.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy, Request for Information: Building-Integrated Photovoltaics, retrieved .
- UL Solutions, Innovative solar designs drive standards and code development (UL 7103), retrieved .
- GAF Energy, Timberline Solar technical data sheet #837 SM210 (December 2021), retrieved .
- pv magazine USA, Nailable 57 W rooftop solar shingle has quarter-inch profile (20 February 2025), retrieved .
- REC Group, REC Alpha Pure-RX series data sheet (US), retrieved .
- IRS, Residential Clean Energy Credit (§25D), retrieved .
- SC Building Codes Council, code adoption, retrieved .
- SC LLR, Residential Specialty Contractor registration (Solar Panel Installer), retrieved .
- Georgia Power, Behind-the-Meter Interconnection Summary for Residential Customers (rev. 15 Aug 2025), retrieved .
- Code of Virginia §56-594 (net energy metering), retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyreSolar Research team. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: Every GAF figure (power, voltage, coefficients, ratings, weight, pitch, deck, UL 1703 supersession) re-read from the 2021 data sheet on 8 October 2026; ES 2 rating from pv magazine USA; UL 7103 scope and code status from UL Solutions; BIPV description and adoption note from DOE.
The example divides published ratings and areas; nothing is estimated.
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.