GUIDE
Integrated Solar Roofing
A complete guide to solar roofs,
solar shingles and solar roof tiles
Solar no longer has to mean installing conventional solar panels on top of a
finished roof. Integrated solar roofing combines photovoltaic energy
generation with the roofing system itself. Depending on the product, the solar-generating component may take the form of a solar shingle, solar roof tile or another building-integrated photovoltaic roofing material.
FUNDAMENTALS
CONTENTS
THE MARKET TODAY
EVALUATING A SYSTEM
SPECIFYING & BUYING
The objective is simple: make the roof generate electricity while preserving the
architecture of the home. This guide explains how integrated solar roofing works, how it differs from conventional rooftop solar, the major types of systems available, and what homeowners, architects, builders and roofing contractors should consider when evaluating them.
P A R T I — F U N D A M E N T A L S
What is integrated
solar roofing?
Integrated solar roofing incorporates photovoltaic technology into the roof rather than
mounting a separate solar array above it. The broader technical term is building-
integrated photovoltaics, or BIPV.
​
With conventional rooftop solar, the roof and the solar system are separate systems.
The roofing material provides weather protection, while solar modules are mounted
above it using racks and attachment hardware.
With integrated solar roofing, photovoltaic components become part of the roof
assembly or roofing surface. This can create a lower-profile, more architectural
appearance while allowing the roof to perform two jobs.
Protect the building, and
generate electricity.
Solar roof vs. solar
shingles vs. solar roof tiles
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they can describe substantially
different products.
Solar roof
“Solar roof” is a broad term for a roofing system incorporating photovoltaic generationdirectly into the roof. Tesla helped popularize the term with Tesla Solar Roof, but solarroofing is a broader product category that includes technologies from multiplemanufacturers.
Solar shingles
Solar shingles are photovoltaic roofing products designed to integrate with shingle roofing systems. They generally provide a lower-profile appearance than rack-mounted solar panels and can often be installed as part of a new asphalt roof or roof replacement.
Solar roof tiles
Solar roof tiles incorporate photovoltaic generation into a tile-based roofing system. Instead of integrating solar into an asphalt shingle roof, these systems are designed around roofing tiles such as concrete or other architectural tile materials.
Conventional solar panels
Conventional photovoltaic modules are installed above an existing roof using a
separate mounting or racking system. They remain the most common form of
residential rooftop solar and can provide excellent energy production and economics.
For homeowners primarily concerned with maximizing solar production at the lowest installed cost, conventional panels may be the most appropriate solution. Integrated solar roofing serves a somewhat different customer: someone who considers the appearance and material of the roof itself an important part of the project.
Why chose an
integrated solar roof?
The primary advantage is architectural integration. Traditional solar requires
homeowners to select a roof and then place a separate energy-generating system
above it. Integrated solar roofing approaches the project differently: the roof itself
becomes part of the energy system.
That can be particularly attractive when:
Building a new home
Designing a custom or architecturally significant home
Conventional solar panels would materially change the appearance of the roof
Roofing and solar are being designed at the same time
The homeowner prefers a lower-profile solar installation
Integrated solar roofing is not automatically the best solution for every home. If an
existing roof has many years of useful life remaining and appearance is not a major
concern, conventional rooftop solar may be more economical. The strongest case for integrated solar roofing generally occurs when roofing and solar decisions are being made together.
P A R T II — THE MARKET TODAY
What integrated
solar roofing products are available?
The integrated solar roofing market includes several different approaches. There is no single product that is best for every building. The descriptions below follow each manufacturer’s own published materials.
A S P H A LT S H I N G L E S Y S T E M
GAF Energy Timberline Solar
GAF Energy’s Timberline Solar ES 2 is a nailable solar shingle designed to
integrate directly with GAF Timberline asphalt shingles. The system allows
photovoltaic energy shingles and conventional asphalt roofing shingles to function together as a roofing system.
This makes Timberline Solar particularly relevant for homeowners
who want an asphalt shingle roof while incorporating solar generation into the
roofing surface.
Roofing material
Asphalt shingle
Per energy shingle
57 W
Installation
Nailable
Specifications published by GAF
Energy. Timberline Solar data sheet →
A S P H A LT S H I N G L E S Y S T E M
CertainTeed Solstice Shingle
CertainTeed Solstice Shingle is another integrated solar shingle system
designed for use with asphalt roofing. The solar shingles are installed directly to the roof sheathing and provide a lower-profile alternative to conventional rack-mounted solar panels.
For homeowners already considering asphalt shingles, Solstice provides a
way to combine a familiar roofing material with integrated solar
generation.
Roofing material
Asphalt shingle
Attachment
To sheathing
Wind rating
110 mph
Specifications published by CertainTeed. Solstice Shingle product page →
C O N C R E T E T I L E S Y S T E M
ICON by VOLTAIC
ICON takes a different approach. Rather than integrating photovoltaics
into an asphalt shingle roofing system, ICON integrates solar technology into an architectural concrete roof tile. Solar-producing ICON tiles and
matching non-solar roofing tiles can be incorporated into the same roof
architecture.
ICON is an integrated roofing and photovoltaic system rather than a
conventional solar panel mounted over a tile roof.
Roofing material
Concrete tile
Per roofing square
1,540 W
Assembly
Ventilated
Specifications published by VOLTAIC. Test reports and certifications →
ICON is designed for tile-roof architecture
Because ICON is built around a concrete roof tile rather than an asphalt shingle, it applies to a different set of buildings:
Concrete tile homes
Luxury residential construction
Mediterranean, contemporary and other tile-roof architecture
High-wind and hurricane-prone markets
Projects where the roof itself is an important architectural feature
Other integrated solar roofing technologies
Additional BIPV and solar roofing technologies exist, and the market continues to evolve. Some products emphasize asphalt roofing integration. Others focus on complete-roof aesthetics, architectural materials or specialized building applications.
​
SteelX Solar Power/Midsummer
​
SteelX Solar Power is introducing Midsummer’s lightweight CIGS thin-film solar roofing technology to the North American market. The system integrates flexible photovoltaic material into roofing applications without conventional solar racking and is being positioned for residential and commercial buildings. This represents another approach to building-integrated photovoltaics, particularly where lightweight or metal-roof integration is important.
Homeowners should evaluate the actual roofing material, photovoltaic technology,
certifications, installation requirements, availability and long-term manufacturer
support rather than assuming all products described as “solar roofs” are equivalent.
What happened to
Tesla Solar Roof?
Tesla Solar Roof played an important role in bringing integrated solar roofing to mainstream attention. Its fundamental proposition was compelling: instead of putting solar panels on a roof, combine roofing and solar generation into a unified architectural system.
​
Tesla has discontinued Solar Roof for new customers. That does not mean integrated solar roofing has disappeared.
​
Other manufacturers continue to offer solar shingles and integrated solar roofing systems using different materials and installation methods. Homeowners who were considering Tesla Solar Roof should therefore evaluate the remaining market based on the type of roof and architecture they actually want.
​
Learn more: Tesla Solar Roof has been discontinued — what now? →
P A R T III — E V A L U A T I N G A S Y S T E M
Integrated solar roofing vs.
conventional solar panels
Neither technology is inherently better for every project.
Conventional solar panels may be better when:
The existing roof is relatively new
Lowest solar cost is the primary objective
Maximum watts per available roof area are important
Roof appearance is a secondary consideration
The homeowner does not need a new roof
Integrated solar roofing may be better when:
The roof already needs replacement
The project is new construction
Architecture and curb appeal are important
The homeowner does not want rack-mounted panels
Roofing and solar can be designed as one project
The solar system should become part of the roof architecture
The appropriate comparison is therefore not always solar roof versus solar panels. For a homeowner who already needs a premium new roof, the more useful comparison may be a new roof plus conventional solar, against an integrated solar roof.
How much does an integrated solar roof cost?
There is no meaningful universal cost-per-square-foot or cost-per-watt figure for integrated solar roofing. Project cost depends on factors including:
Roof size, geometry and roofing material
Required solar capacity, and the percentage of the roof that generates electricity
Electrical design, inverter and battery selection
Structural requirements
Local labor and permitting
Wind and building-code requirements
New construction versus roof replacement
This is another reason integrated solar roofs should not always be compared solely to the price of conventional solar panels. When a roof replacement is already required, part of the integrated solar roof’s cost is replacing a roofing expense the homeowner would have incurred anyway.
A useful financial analysis separates the cost of the roof from the incremental cost of adding solar generation to it.
Do all of the roof
tiles or shingles
generate electricity?
Not necessarily. Most integrated solar roofs combine active photovoltaic roofing components with visually compatible non-generating roofing materials.
Solar-generating components are generally concentrated on roof surfaces with appropriate sunlight exposure. Roof areas that are shaded, face unfavorable directions or are otherwise unsuitable for solar generation can use matching or complementary non-solar roofing material.
This allows the solar system to be designed around the home’s energy requirements without requiring every square foot of roof to generate electricity.
Can integrated solar roofing
work with battery storage?
Yes. An integrated solar roof generates DC electricity just as other photovoltaic systems do. Depending on system design and equipment compatibility, integrated solar roofing can be paired with battery-storage systems.
Battery selection should be considered during system design, because inverter architecture, MPPT requirements, electrical configuration, backup loads and utility requirements can all affect equipment selection. The roof and battery should be designed as parts of the same energy system rather than independently.
What about fire, wind and severe weather?
A solar roof is both an electrical product and a building product. That makes independent testing and certification particularly important.
Depending on the product and installation location, relevant considerations can include:
Electrical safety
Photovoltaic durability
Roof fire classification
Wind uplift
Impact resistance
Water shedding
Building-code compliance
High-wind or hurricane-zone approval
Homeowners, architects and contractors should ask manufacturers for documentation supporting specific performance claims rather than relying solely on marketing descriptions.
For example, ICON by VOLTAIC has undergone independent testing and certification including UL 61730 electrical safety, IEC 61215 durability qualification, ASTM E108 Class A roof fire testing and building-code evaluation for Florida High-Velocity Hurricane Zone applications.
I C O N — I N D E P E N D E N T C E R T I F I C A T I O N
PV electrical safety
UL 61730
Durability qualification
IEC 61215
Wind rating
110 mph
Roof fire
ASTM E108 Class A
Code evaluation
QAI CERus-1047
Florida approval
FL46604
HVHZ
A P P R O V E D F O R F L O R I D A’ S
H I G H - V E L O C I T Y H U R R I C A N E Z O N E
Approval is issued to the roof assembly, not to an attachment placed over one. Full permit packet and test reports published below.
P A R T IV — S P E C I F Y I N G A N D B U Y I N G
What should architects
and builders consider?
Integrated solar roofing works best when considered early in the design process. Architects and builders should evaluate:
Roof geometry
Solar exposure, valleys, hips, dormers and roof orientation can affect both energy
production and installation.
Roofing material
Determine whether the architecture calls for asphalt shingles, concrete tile or another
roofing material before selecting the solar technology.
Solar capacity
Estimate the home’s electrical consumption and determine how much photovoltaic
capacity the available roof area can support.
Electrical architecture
Inverters, MPPT configuration, rapid shutdown, battery storage and utility
interconnection requirements should be considered early.
Local building requirements
Wind zones, fire classifications, structural requirements and local product approvals
may affect which products can be installed.
Serviceability
Consider how individual photovoltaic components can be accessed, diagnosed or
replaced during the life of the roof.
What should
homeowners ask before
buying a solar roof?
Before choosing an integrated solar roofing system, ask:
01
What material is actually protecting my home from the weather?
02
Is the solar component part of the weatherproof roofing system, or installed
over another roofing layer?
03
What independent electrical certifications does the product have?
04
What fire testing has the complete roof assembly passed?
05
What wind or severe-weather testing applies?
06
What is the product warranty?
07
What is the solar performance warranty?
08
Who can install the system?
09
Who services it if an individual solar component fails?
10
Can the system work with the battery or energy-management system I want?
11
How much solar capacity can realistically fit on my particular roof?
12
What happens to the roof and solar system if a component needs replacement years from now?
Is integrated solar roofing
right for every home?
No. Conventional solar panels remain an excellent solution for millions of homes.
Integrated solar roofing makes the most sense when the homeowner values the roof as part of the architecture, and especially when the building already requires a new roof. The decision should begin with the building, not the solar product.
What type of roof belongs on this home?
Once that question is answered, homeowners can determine whether an integrated solar technology exists that fits the architecture, energy requirements, climate and budget.
The future of the
roof is changing
For most of modern history, roofs have performed one primary job: protecting buildings from the environment. Photovoltaic technology adds another possibility. A roof can protect the structure, define its architecture and produce electricity at the same time.
Tesla helped introduce that idea to millions of homeowners. GAF Energy, CertainTeed, VOLTAIC and other manufacturers are pursuing different approaches to making it practical. The technologies are different, but the direction is increasingly clear.
Solar generation does not always
have to be added on top of a roof. It
can be designed into the roof itself.
ABOUT ICON BY VOLTAIC
An integrated concrete solar roof tile system.
ICON by VOLTAIC is designed for homeowners, architects and builders who want photovoltaic generation
incorporated into an architectural tile roof. ICON combines solar-producing concrete roof tiles with
matching roofing components to create a unified roof system.
​
Independent testing and certification documentation is available for review.
ABOUT ICON BY VOLTAIC
An integrated concrete solar roof tile system.
ICON by VOLTAIC is designed for homeowners, architects and builders who want photovoltaic generation
incorporated into an architectural tile roof. ICON combines solar-producing concrete roof tiles with
matching roofing components to create a unified roof system.
​
Independent testing and certification documentation is available for review.
UL 61730
PV electrical safety certification, SolarPTL
IEC 61215
long-term durability qualification
ASTM E108 Class A
roof fire testing, QAI
FL46604
Florida Building Code, High-Velocity Hurricane Zone