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Homeowners across the country have their eye on Elon Musk''s Tesla Solar Roof, a much-heralded innovation for the solar energy industry. However, Tesla is just one company offering a roof-integrated solar option for homeowners and businesses. Roofing company GAF''s solar tile solution, DecoTech, hit the market in early 2017 and promises to be "the beautiful affordable alternative to typical rack-mounted solar systems." We''ll explain everything you need to know about DecoTech solar, from performance to price to warranties.
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GAF''s roof-integrated solar product, DecoTech, is a low-profile solar energy system with standard solar panels installed as part of your roof. The brackets and mounting are affixed on the roof in a typical solar panel system. By contrast, the DecoTech system is installed when you are already replacing your roof, making integrating the two products easier.
There are a few different types of products in the "solar roofing" category. The first is solar shingles. Also known as "building-integrated photovoltaics" (BIPV), these are roof-shingle-sized solar panels. SunTegra and CertainTeed both offer these roof-integrated panels.
The second option, which was developed more recently, is the "solar roof." Solar roof products feature solar cells integrated into the roofing material itself. Unlike solar shingles, solar roofs are designed to hide the solar photovoltaic cell from view completely. Tesla and Forward Labs are two companies with solar roof products.
Unlike solar shingles or solar roof tiles, DecoTech uses standard 60-cell solar panels, which are the same size and shape as the panels typically used in solar systems. Their innovation comes during system installation. GAF is a roofing company first, and they have designed their product so that its installation is part of the re-roofing process. This makes setting the system at a lower profile easy, making it less noticeable and hiding the racking and other wiring necessary to the installation.
GAF''s solar roofing product offers a sleek, low-profile solar option for many homes, but it may or may not be the perfect fit for your home. Here''s how it compares to traditional solar panels, other solar shingles like SunTegra and CertainTeed, and new solar roofing options like Tesla and Forward Labs'' solar roofing options.
DecoTech solar panels use the same solar technology as other solar panels: silicon solar photovoltaic (PV) cells. According to the company''s product specifications, they offer 17% efficiency, which aligns with standard solar panels.
It''s worth noting that both Forward Labs and Tesla''s solar roof products likely have similar efficiency losses because of how they are installed. However, neither company has released detailed efficiency information.
A traditional solar panel installation can be completed in a matter of hours. (In fact, you can watch a full installation happen over a few hours in EnergySage''s time-lapse video Solar Panel Installation in Less Than A Minute.) The process is simple: Workers install the brackets and mounting system for the solar panels and then connect the solar panels to the framework.
The installation process for GAF''s DecoTech solar roofing product is a little different. The company is primarily a roofing company and expects to install its solar systems alongside a new roof. This has its benefits: The installation of the roof and solar panel system is streamlined. However, the process will necessarily be more complicated than a standard rooftop system.
If your primary concern is finding a hidden solar power installation, Tesla and Forward Labs are the only companies that offer a true "solar roof" with solar cells that are invisible from ground level. The DecoTech solar roof option is closer to a standard solar panel system but has a much lower profile.
In the world of home solar, the lowest cost option – and the one that offers the greatest long-term savings – will most certainly be a standard solar panel system. The average cost of solar in 2022 is $2.77/watt, and the average EnergySage customer can cover over 90% of their electric bill with their solar panel system.
GAF''s pricing information for their DecoTech option isn''t publicly available. However, press coverage about their solar roofing states that they expect the first installations to come at about a 10-15% premium over the cost of a new roof and a standard solar panel system.
By comparison, EnergySage analyzed Forward Labs solar roofing data and found that their product cost approximately $4.90/watt, including the non-solar roofing materials needed to complete the installation. The same analysis found that Tesla''s solar roof pricing is nearly $6.40/watt.
About Roof integrated solar panels
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Roof integrated solar panels have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Roof integrated solar panels for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Roof integrated solar panels featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
