Updated: October 23, 2025
Written by Dan Simms
Laura Madrigal is the Home Design Specialist at Fixr.com, dedicated to identifying and analyzing significant changes within residential design. She is the author of leading trends reports on interior design, kitchen, and bathroom, and her insights have been featured in publications like Realtor and the New York Post.
Learn moreReviewed by Laura Madrigal
The federal investment tax credit (ITC) has been one of the most valuable incentives for homeowners considering solar for the past two decades, currently allowing solar adopters to enjoy an income tax credit in the amount of 30% of their total installation costs. Between the end of June and early July 2025, changes have been made to the credit, and it’s currently set to expire on 12/31/2025. Unless additional changes are made, you’ll need to have your equipment installed by the end of 2025 to qualify for the credit.
Solar has become more and more popular over the past decade, but one sticking point some homeowners can’t get over is the appearance of bulky panels on their roof. That’s where solar shingles come in. Although they’re more expensive than traditional solar panels, they integrate directly into your roofing to maximize curb appeal while still offering massive savings on your electric bills and a reduced carbon footprint.
Solar roof shingles cost an average of $46,000 to cover an average-size roof with the product, and most homeowners pay somewhere between $27,600 and $60,000. There are many factors that influence the price, including the brand of solar shingles you install, the size of the system you need, whether you cover your entire roof in solar shingles or integrate just the shingles you need into more affordable asphalt shingles, and the size of your home.
Cost of Solar Roof
What Are Solar Shingles?
Solar shingles are a modern roofing material that doubles as a power generator. These small, thin solar cells are installed directly onto the roof deck, replacing traditional shingles to create a seamless, sleek aesthetic without the need for bulky, rack-mounted solar panels.
Like traditional panels, solar shingles collect sunlight and convert it to DC electricity, which is then sent through a dedicated inverter to become the AC energy used throughout your home. In short, they serve a dual purpose: they protect your home from the elements while simultaneously generating electricity to reduce your energy bills.
Solar Shingles Cost per Square Foot
Solar shingles cost an average of $23 per square foot, and they usually range between $21 and $25 per square foot. The size of your roof, or the area you plan to cover, is the biggest factor affecting your total cost. Some homeowners choose to install solar shingles on just one section of the roof alongside traditional materials, while others cover the entire roof to maximize energy savings.
Keep in mind that the square footage of the area you plan to cover with solar shingles provides the most accurate estimate, as it varies depending on your roof’s pitch and complexity. You can use the table below to get a general idea of total costs based on the area covered.
Square Footage Covered | Cost Range |
200 | $4,200 – $5,000 |
500 | $10,500 – $12,500 |
1,000 | $21,000 – $25,000 |
1,200 | $25,200 – $30,000 |
1,800 | $37,800 – $45,000 |
2,000 | $42,000 – $50,000 |
2,400 | $50,400 – $60,000 |
3,000 | $63,000 – $75,000 |
The system size you need is influenced by many factors, including your home size, the climate in your area, your latitudinal location, your energy consumption habits, shading on your property, and more. To get an accurate cost based on the production level you need, you’ll have to get a quote from a local installer.
Cost per Watt
The typical cost per watt for solar shingles is between $3.50 and $8. Many solar roof installers will charge based on the size of the solar array you’re installing in watts, which is a measurement of how much power output your solar roof can provide. Individual solar shingles generate between 13 and 100 watts, with the most common models producing 18 to 22 watts and some high-efficiency options reaching 70 to 100 watts.
Factors That Influence the Cost of Solar Shingles
The typical costs of solar shingle installation range so widely because there are many factors at play that can drive costs higher or lower based on your particular circumstances. Consider all of the following cost factors to get a more accurate estimate.
Roof Size and Complexity
Your roof size is a major factor to consider when estimating solar roof shingle costs. Larger roofs require more shingles, increasing material costs, especially if you’re covering the entire roof rather than just a section. Solar shingles come in rigid, pre-set sizes, so installing them on small or irregular roof sections, like dormers, hips, or areas with multiple chimneys, vents, or skylights, can be challenging and raise labor costs.
Old Roof Removal
Most homeowners install solar shingles as part of a total reroof, so it’s a good idea to factor in the cost to remove your existing roof. This totals $50 up to $150 per square, in most cases. Prices will be on the lower end for lightweight asphalt roofs and will push toward the higher end for heavier materials, like slate or concrete tile.
Energy Needs
Energy needs help determine your solar roof size. To maximize savings, your solar shingles should be sized to meet your household’s electricity consumption. You can check recent electric bills to get a sense of your monthly usage, but a professional can help calculate the optimal system size in kilowatts.
Smaller systems or partial roof coverage can sometimes increase costs, since solar shingles are rigid and may need to be integrated with other roofing materials like asphalt shingles. Taking into account that most common solar shingles produce between 20 and 50 watts each, the table below provides a ballpark estimate of system size and cost based on home size, but exact costs will depend on your roof layout and energy needs.
Home Size (Sq. Ft) | Estimated Electric Monthly Bill | System Size (kW) | Estimated number of solar shingles | Typical Cost Range |
1,000 | $80 | 3.5 – 4.7 | 70 – 235 | $12,250 – $37,600 |
1,500 | $115 | 5.1 – 6.8 | 102 – 340 | $17,850 – $54,400 |
1,700 | $135 | 6 – 7.9 | 120 – 395 | $21,000 – $63,200 |
2,000 | $150 | 6.6 – 8.8 | 132 – 440 | $23,100 – $70,400 |
2,500 | $190 | 8.4 – 11.2 | 168 – 560 | $29,400 – $89,600 |
3,000 | $230 | 10.1 – 13.5 | 202 – 675 | $35,350 – $108,000 |
Estimates assumed a $0.17/kWh electric rate.
*Note: For smaller system requirements, you’ll see higher costs for auxiliary roofing, as smaller arrays of solar shingles will require larger sections of roofing covered with asphalt shingles or other materials.
Materials and Brand
Solar shingles are typically made from copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) or silicon. CIGS shingles are more affordable but have lower efficiency, meaning less power output per square foot. Monocrystalline silicon shingles offer the highest efficiency and the greatest energy savings, while polycrystalline silicon shingles fall in between in both performance and cost.
The brand of shingles also impacts pricing. For example, GAF solar shingles are usually at the lower end of the range, around $3.80 to $4 per square foot, while Tesla shingles tend to be more expensive, often costing closer to $7 per square foot.
Geographic Location
Location is an important factor in solar shingle costs. Labor costs vary with the local cost of living, so installing in major cities or high-cost states like New York and California usually comes at a premium. Climate also plays a role; areas with abundant sunlight may need fewer shingles to achieve energy savings, while cloudy, rainy, or snowy regions might require larger systems to offset production losses.
Local incentives can further affect your total cost. While all homeowners can use the federal solar tax credit (ITC) through the end of 2025, some states and municipalities, such as California and Texas, offer additional rebates, tax credits, and net metering programs that can significantly reduce installation expenses.
Labor Cost
The labor cost to install solar shingles accounts for around 60% of your total, which means the average homeowner will pay $27,600 for labor alone. Labor charges can vary quite a bit, depending on the complexity of your roof, the size of your home, your roof design, whether or not you need to remove your old roof, and what type of traditional roof, if any, you’re coupling with your solar shingles.
Labor costs also include wiring your solar shingles in series, installing an inverter, and connecting your system to the grid, so anything that complicates the electrical work will also drive up the cost charged by your installer’s electrician.
Additional Costs and Considerations
There are additional minor costs that can affect your total, as well as some other things to consider when deciding if solar shingles are worth it for you.
Permits and inspections: Roof replacement will almost always require permits and inspections, and installing solar shingles comes with added electrical permits to connect them to your home and the grid. Permits for solar shingle installation can cost anywhere from $150 to $500 on average.
Roof condition: If your installer finds evidence of water damage under your old roof when removing it, you may run into additional costs to repair or replace the roof decking. This could add between $150 and $1,000 to your total.
Warranty: Most shingles include three warranties: manufacturer (product defects), workmanship (installation issues), and efficiency (energy production). While these don’t usually add extra cost, coverage varies by product and installer.
Structural reinforcement: Solar roof shingles weigh around 13 pounds per square foot, while asphalt shingles usually weigh between 4 and 8 pounds per square foot. There’s a chance you’ll need structural reinforcement before your home can support the added weight of solar shingles, and this can add time and money to your installation timeline and cost.
Suitability for solar: A professional assessment can confirm whether your home is a good fit for solar power, considering factors like energy use, shading, orientation, latitude, and roof pitch to ensure long-term savings.
Shading on your property. Just like solar panels, solar shingles work best and generate the most electricity when they’re exposed to direct sunlight. That means any shading on your property from tree coverage can affect the size of the system you need and even the square footage of solar shingles it’s worth installing.
Solar Shingles vs. Solar Panel
Once you’ve determined that you want to go solar, choosing between solar shingles and traditional solar panels is a key decision to make. Both options absorb sunlight and convert it to usable electricity for your home to reduce your utility costs, but the options differ in their upfront cost, long-term payback periods, aesthetics, product lifespan, and the installation timeline.
Solar shingles can either act as your roof or integrate seamlessly into more conventional roofing products, like asphalt shingles, so they provide a sleeker, more modern appearance. Traditional solar panels are bulky and sit above your roof on racking systems, so they’re more noticeable. Aside from aesthetics, these products differ in a few other key areas.
Cost of solar shingles vs. solar panels: Solar shingles are much more expensive than solar panels. The average solar shingle system costs between $27,600 and $60,000 whereas a traditional solar panel system costs between $19,000 and $23,800 for the average home.
Savings and payback period: Solar shingles can offset your electricity bills over time, but their payback period is usually longer than that of traditional solar panels due to lower efficiency and higher upfront costs.
Efficiency and power output: Traditional solar panels are more efficient than solar shingles. Most monocrystalline panels can reach up to 19% to 22% efficiency, while solar shingles range from 15% to 20%. This means you will need more shingles to match the power output of traditional panels.
Installation process: Solar panel installation is quick and simple, as it just requires mounting solar racks, mounting the panels, and then wiring everything. Installing solar shingles involves removing your old roof and installing a completely new one, plus wiring and connecting to your home.
Curb appeal: Since solar panels are bulky and sit above your roof’s surface, they’re generally less appealing. Some homeowners don’t mind the look, but in general, most prefer the sleek, modern appearance of solar shingles.
Durability: Solar panels and solar shingles both last an average of 20 to 30 years, and both can stand up to strong winds, water, and impact from tree debris and hail. Make sure to check your warranty coverage to get an idea of how well your products will resist damage over time.
Solar Shingles ROI
Solar shingles can provide a significant return on investment over time, despite their high upfront cost. In some areas, you can get compensated for overproduction and take additional incentives, which can help improve the ROI beyond 100%. A major part of their value comes from the long-term energy savings they provide by reducing or eliminating your monthly electricity bills. Over a system's 25 to 30-year lifespan, these savings can far exceed the initial installation cost. Additionally, owning a solar energy system can increase your home's value, with some studies showing a resale value increase of up to 10%. This makes solar shingles a dual investment: a new roof and an energy-generating asset, which is particularly cost-effective if your roof is already due for a replacement.
Repair vs. Replacement
If you already have solar shingles installed and are experiencing performance issues or simply want to refresh your home’s look, you’ll need to decide whether to repair or replace them. Repairs are the most affordable option for minor or isolated problems, especially if your warranty covers the issue, as you’ll likely only pay for labor. However, if your shingles have reached the end of their lifespan, suffered widespread damage, or the product has been discontinued, a full replacement is usually the better long-term investment to restore both efficiency and curb appeal.
How to Save on Solar Shingles
Solar shingles are an expensive roofing option, but there are some things you can do to help keep your costs as low as possible.
Take advantage of the Federal Solar Tax Credit: The Residential Clean Energy Credit lets you take a tax credit equal to up to 30% of your total installation cost. The credit is currently set to expire in 2025. Always consult a tax professional to confirm your eligibility.
Explore state and local incentives: In addition to the federal credit, many states and local municipalities offer their own rebates, tax credits, or other financial incentives for solar equipment to encourage renewable energy adoption. You can check resources like the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) to see what is available in your area..
Combine with a full roof replacement: Installing solar shingles during a planned roof replacement is the most cost-effective approach. Since solar shingles can replace some or all of what you’d otherwise cover with asphalt shingles, combining the projects can save you money as opposed to replacing your roof and then later considering solar shingles.
Explore financing options: Some financial options like solar loans, home equity lines of credit, and home equity loans can make solar shingle costs more affordable upfront, although they will increase long-term costs due to interest.
Many homeowners instead mix solar shingles with more affordable materials, like asphalt shingles. The solar shingles still lie flat and look far more modern and less obtrusive than traditional solar panels, and the cost is significantly lower.
Are Solar Shingles Worth It?
Solar shingles can be a smart investment for certain homeowners. They’re often a good fit for homeowners who already need a roof replacement and know they want the long-term benefits of energy independence. However, they cost more than most other types of roofs, so they may not be ideal for homeowners on a tight budget. Consider the following pros and cons to help you decide.
Pros
- + They offer a sleek, low-profile design that integrates seamlessly with your roof.
- + Solar shingles can increase your property's value by up to 10%.
- + They serve as a durable roofing material while also generating clean energy.
- + They can reduce or even eliminate your electric bills, providing long-term net savings on energy costs.
- + They are eligible for the same federal and state incentives as traditional solar panels.
Cons
- - The initial cost is about twice as much as traditional solar panels.
- - The installation process is more complex and takes longer.
- - They have lower efficiency and power output than traditional solar panels, so you’ll need a larger system to produce the same amount of electricity.
- - They are more difficult to repair and access for maintenance compared to individual panels.
Solar Roof Shingle Maintenance and Lifespan
The maintenance for solar shingles is generally minimal. Like a standard roof, they are durable and designed to withstand various weather conditions, and rain often helps to keep them clean. It’s recommended to have a professional inspection every few years to check for any physical damage or efficiency issues. Additionally, you should also monitor your system’s performance, which you can usually do on an included app, to stay ahead of internal issues that could affect electricity production. The expected lifespan of solar shingles is similar to that of traditional panels, typically lasting 25 to 30 years. Many manufacturers offer a 25-year warranty, ensuring high-quality performance and durability for decades.
FAQs
The cost of solar shingles per square foot ranges between $21 and $25. The final cost depends on the complexity of your roof, the power needs of your home, your location, the size of your system, and many other factors, so always defer to a pro for a customized estimate.
The primary drawbacks of solar shingles are their higher upfront cost, lower energy efficiency compared to traditional solar panels, and the fact that installation requires a full roof replacement. Because it is a newer technology, there is also more limited brand availability and a smaller pool of experienced installers, as well.
The cost for a Tesla solar roof for a 1,500-square-foot home is around $95,000, but prices can climb significantly higher based on your roof design, home energy demands, and more. Tesla currently couples its solar products with solar batteries, too, which will add $15,700 to your total before incentives. All in, you’re looking at over $110,000 to install a Tesla solar roof on a 1,500-square-foot house.
Luma solar shingles cost an average of $4.50 per watt for partial installations, but a full, edge-to-edge system can cost up to $38 per square foot. Luma is known for its high wind ratings and seamless appearance, so it’s an excellent option for homeowners looking for a solar roof in a more extreme climate.
No, solar shingles cost an average of twice as much as traditional solar panels, in most cases.. Not only do solar shingles cost more than panels on a per-watt basis, but they also have a lower efficiency rating, which means you need more square footage for an equivalent amount of electricity generation.
No. Unlike traditional solar panels that can be mounted on top of an existing roof, solar shingles are designed to be an integrated roofing material. Their installation requires a complete tear-off of your old roof before the solar shingles are installed as the new roofing system.