Solar Shingles vs. Conventional Solar Panels: Which Is Right for You?

Solar panels aren't your only option anymore.

If you’re considering solar for your home, you already know about conventional rooftop solar panels. But there’s another option quietly gaining momentum: solar shingles.

Both solar shingles and conventional solar panels generate clean, renewable energy and save you money on electricity costs. But these products differ in appearance, installation methods, maintenance, durability, and cost.

At Sun Vault Roofing, we offer both solutions and help homeowners throughout Wisconsin choose the right system for their home, budget, and goals.

Solar shingles lie flat against the roof deck instead of (not on top of) asphalt shingles. Fully integrated solar rooftops, like this one in Cambridge, WI, outperform conventional rack-mounted solar panels when it comes to aesthetics, installation, weight, sustainability, and maintenance.

What Are Solar Shingles?

Solar shingles, also known as solar roofing tiles or simply “solar roofs”, combine the function of a solar panel with the look and performance of a standard roofing shingle. They install directly onto the roof deck and serve as both waterproof roofing material and energy generator.

At Sun Vault Roofing, we install CertainTeed Solstice Shingles, one of the most advanced and well-respected integrated solar roofing solutions on the market. Solstice solar shingles are designed to integrate seamlessly into the look and function of an asphalt roof. They are lightweight, sleek, and do not require bulky metal racking systems. They were also recognized as the Best Energy Efficient product at the International Builders’ Show.

Individual Solstice solar shingle modules are installed in a method similar to asphalt shingles. The shingles are installed, starting with the bottom row and each shingle is secured directly to the roof's plywood decking by 5 screws. The screws are covered up by the next course of shingles in the row above. Each shingles contains 70 watts of photovoltaic power capacity.

Tesla Solar Tiles vs. solar shingles (what’s the difference?)

Many homeowners come to this article after searching for terms like “Tesla solar roof” or “Tesla solar tiles.” Those searches are usually about a broader idea: solar that’s built into the roof itself, rather than panels mounted on top.

The Tesla Solar Roof is just one example of an integrated solar roofing system. It uses a combination of active solar tiles and visually similar non-producing tiles to create a uniform, glass-like roof surface that generates electricity while serving as the roof.

CertainTeed Solstice solar shingles fall into the same category of integrated solar roofing, but use a different construction approach. Instead of covering the entire roof in glass tiles, Solstice solar shingles are installed only where energy production makes sense, and the rest of the roof is finished with asphalt shingles. This allows the roof to function like a conventional asphalt roof while producing solar power in key areas.

Availability is also worth understanding. At this time, Tesla solar tiles have limited availability and, to our knowledge, have not been widely offered in Wisconsin in recent years. Integrated solar roofing options like CertainTeed Solstice are currently available through certified local roofing contractors, which makes installation, permitting, and long-term service more straightforward for Wisconsin homeowners.

For the rest of this article, when we refer to solar shingles or solar roofing, we’re talking about the asphalt-integrated approach and how it compares to conventional rack-mounted solar panels.

What are Conventional Solar Panels?

Conventional solar panels are mounted on top of an existing roof using racking systems. While they are highly efficient and widely used, they do not replace your roofing material. Panels are often more visible and may not meet aesthetic guidelines set by HOAs, historical districts, or personal preference.

Sun Vault Roofing also installs conventional rack-mounted solar panels for homeowners who desire solar, but aren’t yet in need of a new roof.

Conventional solar panels sit above the rooftop, secured to the roof using steel racks that raise the panels above the shingles. This lift makes the solar equipment more visible and creates potential environments for critters like squirrels to nest.

Key Differences Between Solar Shingles and Solar Panels

Aesthetics: solar shingles vs. solar panels

• Solar Shingles: Integrated into the roof for a clean, low-profile appearance.

• Conventional Panels: Mounted on racks above your existing roof, more obvious/visible

  
  

Solar shingles are ideal for homeowners who want a modern, subtle look, especially those in HOA communities, historical districts, or high-visibility areas. Homebuyers may also prefer the look of integrated, low-profile solar shingles.

Solar shingles are prized for their aesthetic superiority. This lakefront home in Sheboygan, WI has all the benefits of solar power without the bulky, industrial look of conventional solar panels.

Installation Method: solar shingles vs. solar panels

• Solar Shingles: Installed as part of the roofing system, often during roof replacement or initial build.

• Conventional Panels: Mounted onto the existing roof with brackets and rails

  
  

Because Solstice Shingles replace the need for a separate roofing material, they’re an excellent option when your roof is nearing end-of-life or when you are just beginning construction on your home. Sun Vault Roofing offers full roof replacement combined with solar installation in one streamlined process.

Weight and Structural Considerations: solar shingles vs. solar panels

• Solar Shingles: Lightweight and suitable for almost all roof structures. Each shingle is smaller than a conventional panel, so they can also fit in tighter spaces, and are ideal for maximizing output on unusual roof shapes. Since they are so light, solar shingle installations often avoid the cost of a structural engineering assessment.

• Conventional Panels: Heavier and may not be suitable for older homes without structural upgrades. Large area/size can prohibit placement in certain roof areas. Since the combined weight of solar panels and steel racks can add up, conventional rooftop solar panel installations often require expensive structural engineering assessments.

  
  

This makes shingles a better fit for older or lower-load roofs.

Energy Output and Efficiency: solar shingles vs. solar panels

• Conventional Panels generally offer slightly higher efficiency (by about 2%) than shingles due to optimized airflow

• Solar Shingles have come a long way in the last 2–3 years and now offer nearly identical efficiency to panels. From a sustainability perspective, solar shingles are the superior choice because their material footprint is much smaller (one shingle material that services two functions compared to panels which require shingles + panels + steel racks).

  
  

A free assessment from Sun Vault Roofing will determine which system best meets your energy goals.

Maintenance and Long-Term Reliability: solar shingles vs. solar panels

• Solar Panels are mechanically reliable, but one of the most common real-world causes of solar system issues is wildlife damage. Rack-mounted panels create a sheltered gap between the roof and the array, which can become an ideal nesting space for squirrels, birds, and other animals. Over time, exposed wiring and connectors are vulnerable to chewing, nesting debris, and moisture buildup.

• Solar shingles Solar shingles eliminate this risk entirely. Because they install flush to the roof deck, there is no cavity for animals to access and no exposed wiring beneath the system. This removes one of the most frequent maintenance and failure points seen in conventional rooftop solar installations. For homeowners who want the lowest-maintenance solar option over the long term, this integrated design is a meaningful advantage.

Warranty and accountability: solar shingles vs. solar panels

• With conventional solar panels, homeowners often end up with two separate systems installed by two separate contractors: a roofing contractor and a solar contractor. If a leak or issue occurs near the array, responsibility can become unclear. Homeowners may find themselves caught between installers, each pointing to the other as the source of the problem. Further, in some cases, roof warranties may be partially limited or excluded around solar panel penetrations, depending on the roofing manufacturer and installation details.

• Solar shingles simplify this. Integrated solar roofs are installed and warranted as one unified system and the same contractor is responsible for both performance and weather protection.

  That means clearer accountability, fewer gray areas, and a more straightforward warranty path for homeowners who value long-term peace of mind.

Cost and Long-Term Value: solar shingles vs. solar panels

• Solar Panels: Lower initial cost, especially if your existing roof is in good condition and less than 5 years old

• Solar Shingles: Slightly higher upfront cost due to enhanced aesthetics and cutting edge tech, but can be more economical if replacing your roof anyway. In most cases, solar shingles have a return on investment that is just 1-2 years longer than conventional panels.

  
  

Sun Vault Roofing helps homeowners evaluate both options using current federal tax credits (ending for residential customers after 2025) and Focus on Energy rebates available in Wisconsin.

Home Insurance: solar shingles vs. solar panels

In practice, insurers tend to treat conventional rack-mounted solar panels and integrated solar roofs differently.

• Solar panels are typically insured as an add-on to the roof and may require endorsements or adjustments to coverage, depending on the carrier and location.

• Integrated solar roofs are usually insured as part of the roofing system itself. Because they replace traditional roofing materials and sit flush with the roof deck, they often avoid the underwriting concerns associated with racks, penetrations, and wind uplift. In some cases, homeowners installing a new integrated solar roof have even seen insurance premiums decrease due to the reduced risk of a brand-new roof. One Wisconsin homeowner we worked with recently reported a significant reduction in her home insurance premium after installing an integrated Sun Vault Roofing solar roof. In her case, a 39% decrease following the roof replacement.

Insurance outcomes vary by carrier and home, but for many homeowners, integrated solar roofs can be a simpler and more insurance-friendly long-term solution than traditional panels.

Permitting and Structural Review: solar shingles vs. solar panels

Both solar shingles and conventional solar panels require permits. In most cases, that includes a municipal building or roofing permit, an electrical permit, and utility interconnection approval.

Where the two systems often differ is structural review.

• Solar panels carry a lot of additional weight due to thick glass panels, steel racks, and rails. For this reason, many panel installations require a structural engineering assessment or a separate municipal solar permit to confirm the roof can support the added load of the system.

• Solar shingles, by contrast, replace traditional roofing materials. CertainTeed Solstice Shingles weigh about 2.3 lb per square foot, which is actually lighter than typical architectural asphalt shingles (roughly 2.5–2.7 lb per square foot).

As a result, solar shingle installations are often exempt from additional structural calculations, depending on the jurisdiction and roof design. In our experience, municipalities rarely require the added time or expense of a structural assessment for solar shingles, which can simplify permitting, reduce soft costs, and make solar feasible on homes that may not support the added weight of panels and racks.

Permitting requirements vary by municipality, but this weight difference is one reason solar shingles can be a cleaner, more straightforward upgrade when a roof replacement is already planned.

Wind and Storm Resistance: solar shingles vs. solar panels

• Solar shingles are engineered as roofing products first, and energy systems second. Because they install flush to the roof deck, they experience far less wind uplift than rack-mounted panels. CertainTeed Solstice Shingles are rated for wind speeds up to 110 mph and are approved for use in Florida’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. They also carry a Class A fire rating and are tested for impact resistance consistent with modern roofing standards.

• Conventional Solar Panels: Mounted on racks above your existing roof. While many systems are rated for high winds, they rely on attachment hardware and penetrations that are more vulnerable to wind uplift, vibration, and storm debris, especially if not perfectly installed.

  
  

This makes shingles a better fit for roofs in windy or storm-prone areas. As we’ve just had the windiest Spring in 50 years, this is becoming a bigger concern for homeowners across the country.

See our work in the wild! In September 2025 we installed Wisconsin's first-ever full integrated solar shingle roof and our director of operations, Mike, was recognized by Clean Jobs Midwest for the achievement.

Are Solar Shingles or Conventional Solar Panels Right for You?

Choose solar shingles if:

• You’re already replacing your roof

• You want a sleek, modern look

• Your home faces south and the solar needs to be placed on the front of your house

• You live in a neighborhood with aesthetic, historical, or HOA restrictions

• You live in a windy or storm-prone area

• Your home’s structure can’t support conventional panels

• You want the latest, cutting edge technology

• You desire the lowest-possible maintenance option

• Squirrel justice is a priority

  
  

Choose conventional panels if:

• Your existing roof is in good condition with 20+ of life remaining

• Cost is your primary concern

• You are not concerned about high winds or storms

• Your largest southern-facing roof planes are not visible from the front of your house

Why Work With Sun Vault Roofing?

As a certified installer of CertainTeed solar solutions, Sun Vault Roofing offers trusted expertise in both conventional solar and integrated solar roofing systems. We work with each homeowner to evaluate energy usage, roof condition, design preferences, and budget—then build a custom solution that delivers long-term performance and value.

📞 Need a partner? Call us 608-608-1082 or Request a Free Solar Assessment to find out whether shingles or panels are the right solar solution is right for your home.