What are GAF Timberline Solar Shingles?
Let’s first introduce the Timberline Solar shingle. This product is a form of roofing material that combines solar panels with asphalt shingles. Unlike a traditional solar panel that is mounted to the roof over the shingles, GAF Timberline Solar shingles are designed to integrate into your roof, allowing for heightened curb appeal without sacrificing any energy generation.
GAF’s solar shingle is made with two layers. The top half is made of asphalt, which allows for NJ solar installers to nail the shingles directly to your roof. Being that these are nailable shingles, installation is far easier than solar panels. Furthermore, nailing the solar shingles eliminates the need for additional mounting equipment or racking systems typically required for solar panel installations. The bottom portion of the shingle contains monocrystalline solar cells, which are responsible for converting sunlight into electricity. Additionally, the wiring for the solar system is located on the side of the shingle, allowing for easy connection and integration to create a functioning solar electric system.
GAF Timberline Solar Energy shingles have a rated power of 45 watts and an energy conversion efficiency of 22.6%. To match the output of a 360W solar panel, you would need eight GAF Timberline solar shingles (8 x 45W = 360W). Therefore, to reach a system capacity of 9 kW, you could use a total of 200 Timberline solar shingles (200 x 45W = 9,000W or 9 kW). It’s important to not that while GAF solar shingles are smaller than traditional solar panels, they can also cover more surface area on your roof, expanding upon their capacity.
Benefits of GAF Timberline Solar Shingles
Here are some reasons you may be interested in GAF’s solar shingles:
- Integrated Design: This preserves the aesthetic appeal of your home by avoiding the need for bulky solar panels mounted on top of the roof. Furthermore, GAF solar shingles are lighter than traditional PV modules, weighing 10.1 pounds compared to the typical 40-50 pounds of residential solar panels.
- Space Efficiency: Unlike traditional solar panels that require dedicated space on your roof, GAF Solar shingles utilize the entire roof surface to generate solar power. This maximizes the energy-generating potential without compromising the overall appearance of your home.
- Trusted Brand: GAF is a well-known and respected brand in the roofing industry. Their expertise and reputation provide assurance that the solar shingles are backed by quality craftsmanship and reliable performance.
- Warranty Coverage: GAF Energy provides a 25-year warranty on their solar shingles, which includes coverage against manufacturing defects and roof leaks. Additionally, the solar production output warranty ensures that the shingles will maintain a specified level of energy production over their lifespan.
- Energy Generation: The monocrystalline solar cells integrated into the shingles efficiently convert sunlight into electricity, allowing you to generate clean and renewable energy for your home. By producing electricity directly at the source, these solar shingles reduce reliance on traditional grid-based power, potentially lowering your energy bills and decreasing your carbon footprint.
- Potential Cost Savings: While the exact pricing may vary (more on this below), GAF Timberline Solar shingles have the potential to offer cost savings compared to installing a separate roof replacement and solar panel system. The streamlined installation process and reduced labor requirements can contribute to overall project cost reduction.
What is the Average Cost of GAF Timberline Solar Shingles?
As of January 2023, no official pricing has been listed by GAF for their solar shingles. However, based on what GAF Energy President Martin DeBono has stated, a full roof replacement with GAF Timberline Solar shingles on his home would be $42,000. Once incentives are considered, the price would drop to $30,000. However, since there is no telling the size of DeBono’s roof, it is hard to estimate how much the solar shingles are on average.
Other quotes suggest the cost of GAF Timberline Solar shingles for the average sized roof is between $45,000 and $50,000, with the solar shingles costing an estimated $3.80 per watt. However, some sources say that, with tax credits, the actual cost is closer $2.50 to $2.80 per watt.
In other words, the actual cost may vary depending on factors such as the size of the roof, your location, and the specific installation requirements. Additionally, the cost of a regular roof replacement and conventional solar installation may be comparatively cheaper than GAF solar shingles because of these factors. However, GAF’s solution might be more affordable than installing a Tesla solar roof, which tends to have a higher price point of around $60,000.
How Does the Cost Compare to Other Solar Options?
Now that you know that GAF Timberline Solar shingles will cost you around $3.80 per watt, or an average of $45,000-$50,000, you may be wondering how other options compare. Traditional photovoltaic solar panels typically range between $2.50 to $4.50 per watt, depending on the installation factors, quality, and manufacturer. That means that a residential solar panel system will range between $10,000 to $30,000 on average, though this price can be much higher.
As mentioned previously, other competitors, such as Tesla solar shingles, will cost a bit more—around $60,00. Another competitor, Forward Solar Roofing, runs at an estimated $3.75 per watt and also requires non-solar components, putting it at an average of $46,000.
That said, you should not overlook the advantage of Timberline Solar shingles being integrated into the roof itself. Despite their generally higher cost, they are a more cost-effective option when it comes to generating solar energy. Additionally, the aesthetics and efficiency of solar panels are typically optimized due to their specific design and orientation, which can result in better overall performance compared to solar shingles.
Also, GAF Solar shingles come in four different colors, something that you usually do not get to choose when installing solar panels on your home. The colors include birchwood, charcoal, pewter gray, and weathered wood. The ability to blend solar functionality with aesthetic appeal can make GAF Solar shingles an attractive choice for those who value both style and sustainability.
Can You Get a Tax Credit with GAF Timberline Solar Shingles?
Yes, if you decide to have these solar shingles installed on your home, you may be eligible for a tax credit. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows homeowners to deduct up to 26% of the total cost of installing a solar energy system from their tax liability. In other words, if your GAF Timberline Solar shingles cost you a total of $45,000, you may get up to $11,700 back.
In addition to the federal tax credit, many state and local governments also offer incentives for installing home solar systems. The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) and GRID Alternatives are resources that can help homeowners like you find additional solar incentives and programs available in your specific location.
If you do not have access to tax incentives, there is also the ability to partake in net metering. Net metering is a billing arrangement offered by many utility companies that allows solar panel and solar shingles owners to receive credit for excess electricity they generate and send back to the grid. This means that during periods of high solar production or low energy consumption, you can earn credits that offset your future electricity consumption. Net metering can further enhance your savings by maximizing the value of the solar energy you generate.
Furthermore, you should consider the return of investment. Going solar means protection against rising energy costs. Even as the cost of electricity and other utilities continues to rise, you can enjoy free, clean energy from the sun.
Should You Install GAF Timberline Solar Shingles?
Ultimately, whether you decide on GAF Timberline Solar shingles or something else is up to you. Be sure to examine your specific needs, preferences, and circumstances. Ask yourself what matters most to you. Do you want to combine efficient energy production alongside aesthetics? Are you more worried about the cost? Alongside those questions, here are a few more things to consider when thinking about buying GAF solar shingles from NJ roofing contractors:
- Energy Efficiency: GAF Timberline Solar shingles have a high energy conversion efficiency of 22.6%, comparable to some of the best solar panels on the market, including SunPower (22.8%), LG Solar (22.1%), REC (21.9%), and Panasonic (21.7%). Traditional solar panels typically range from 15% to 20% efficiency.
- Roof Integration: If you value a roof-integrated solar solution that doesn’t significantly alter the appearance of your home, GAF Timberline Solar shingles are an attractive option when compared to racked and mounted solar panels.
- Roof Replacement: On the flip side of integration is the need to replace your entire roof when getting solar shingles. If you just got a brand new roof on your home and do not want to get another replacement so soon, there are other options out there.
- Long-Lasting Roofing: GAF Timberline Solar shingles are designed to function as both solar panels and a protective roofing material. They have the same lifespan as regular asphalt shingles, around 15-25 years and require very little maintenance. Furthermore, you can get a comprehensive warranty from the GAF-certified roofing contractor you use that will cover any issues that arise.
Is The Cost of Timberline Solar Shingles Worth It?
Let’s come back to the main question: Is the cost of GAF’s solar shingles worthwhile? Should you call local NJ solar installers and get a quote for these shingles? The answer is that it depends. If you are looking for clean energy generation that does not impact the curb appeal of your home, then GAF Timberline Solar shingles are a great option. GAF Timberline Solar shingles have many other benefits, including the same energy incentives provided to solar panel owners. You can potentially make money off your solar shingles, especially if you sign up for net metering through your local energy company.
However, there is always a chance that you will find something more appealing. Perhaps you do not like the look of GAF solar shingles. Maybe the appearance of solar panels on your roof does not bother you as much, particularly when you are trying to go solar without breaking the bank. For those who have smaller roofs or are merely hoping to offset some of their energy use, a traditional solar panel setup may be best.
Again, you will need to replace your roof if you opt for GAF Timberline Solar shingles. This many not be appealing for those who just got a new roof. Since this is indeed an investment, you will want to consider the age of your current roof or if you are adding these solar shingles to a newly constructed building.
