The prospect of converting a home to solar energy is becoming more realistic, however, to call the process seamless is a different story. Often, residential solar installations are aftermarket affairs, with specialists being needed to provide whole roof replacements. Solar shingles provide a simpler answer, but they can be just as complicated. Because most on the market act as both roofing and solar array, they still require the entire roof to be replaced by specialists during installation, including Tesla’s latest offering.
However, GAF Energy hopes to challenge this with a recent announcement made from the ongoing CES 2022 occurring in Las Vegas, Nevada. The roofing giant has come with a solar shingle that can be fitted directly to pre-existing roofing using only a nail gun. And it can be done without the need of a specialist.
Timberline Reportedly Cuts Cost and Complexity of Solar in Half
Called, Timberline, a GAF Energy spokesperson has gone on saying that they are estimated to be about half the cost of Tesla’s solar roofing and are able to be installed in half the time as a traditional solar rack.
GAF Energy president Martin DeBono described the shingle as “the only product to integrate solar technology into existing roofing processes and materials to yield a full-fledged solar roof, enabling mainstream deployment of clean energy via traditional roofing channels.”
The solar shingles are installed just like regular roof shingles, aside from the exposed electrical components and wiring on the top section (though they are still weatherproof according to GAF Energy and can withstand being walked on for servicing).
If all is true, and the functionality can match the ease of installation and cost savings, the shingles could potentially clear two of the largest hurdles when it comes to solar adoption: complexity and cost. This would also more easily allow home builders and renovators to offer solar installations without the need of a specialist.
Devin Coldewey in an article with Tech Crunch also points out that the decreased need for specialists may also help spur adoption. Traditionally solar specialists have congregated in urban centers which leaves more rural homeowners with little, if any, options. And the options that they do have, often come at a steeper price.
GAF Energy further notes that nearly 1.4 million roofs each year receive an installation of GAF shingles, which provides a substantial growth network for their latest innovation, which may lead to even greater adoption further on down the road.
From the home builders to home owners, there’s a lot to look forward to with this development as residential solar, and more sustainable operations as a whole, takes another step forward towards simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
