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Your options for building integrated photovoltaic solar roofs have expanded with the the re-birth of POWERHOUSE solar shingles and introduction of Tesla solar tiles to compete with the BIPV solar products currently being installed.

Slowly but surely, the solar energy industry is growing in the area.
According to the nonprofit solar advocacy group Solar Foundation, jobs in the solar industry increased in Fairfield County from 510 in 2015 to 562 in 2016, a 10.2 percent increase, and in Westchester Country from 613 to 785 over the same one-year period, a 28 percent increase,.

Solar shingles are now available for installation by Sunrise Solar Solutions LLC, the premier residential and commercial installer of solar PV systems in Westchester County, the Hudson Valley and the entire New York Metro area. Solar shingles have become an extremely popular and sought-after energy option for home and business owners enticed by the aesthetically-appealing, seamless appearance of a solar shingles roof, combined with a relatively quick and easy installation, and significant federal and state tax credits and incentives.

In November 2016, Tesla CEO Elon Musk gathered a collection of investors, fans, and journalists at the Universal Studios backlot in Los Angeles, California, and revealed his vision of a “solar roof”—that is, tiles with solar cells integrated into them so that they look just like regular roofing tiles, except they produce power.

While many Westchesterites want to reduce their personal carbon footprint, some are deterred by the idea of slapping the monstrosity that is a solar panel on their multi-thousand-dollar roofs. A new trend is emerging that provides renewable energy — possibly enough to power an entire house — in a more aesthetically pleasing way: solar shingles.

Picture a rooftop gleaming with dark blue rectangles. It isn’t covered with solar panels — instead it’s made from solar shingles that both protect the home and produce clean power all at once. SolarCity, the California solar installer backed by Elon Musk, unveiled a plan this week to make and sell these “solar roof” modules at its $750 million manufacturing plant in Buffalo, New York.

Elon Musk announced SolarCity is working on a solar roof that was “not a thing on the roof” but “the roof.” The promising idea could offer an alternative for those who don’t like the look of traditional rooftop solar panels, but it looks like Musk won’t be the first to create a solar roof. New York-based company SunTegra Solar Roof Systems (formerly Integrated Solar Technology) has already installed integrated solar systems in the northeastern United States and California.

Elon Musk announced SolarCity is working on a solar roof that was “not a thing on the roof” but “the roof.” The promising idea could offer an alternative for those who don’t like the look of traditional rooftop solar panels, but it looks like Musk won’t be the first to create a solar roof. New York-based company SunTegra Solar Roof Systems (formerly Integrated Solar Technology) has already installed integrated solar systems in the northeastern United States and California.

Elon Musk announced SolarCity is working on a solar roof that was “not a thing on the roof” but “the roof.” The promising idea could offer an alternative for those who don’t like the look of traditional rooftop solar panels, but it looks like Musk won’t be the first to create a solar roof. New York-based company SunTegra Solar Roof Systems (formerly Integrated Solar Technology) has already installed integrated solar systems in the northeastern United States and California.

Solar shingles are a great option for installers seeking a sleek, integrated way to produce PV energy on residential roofs. Still, the technology hasn’t caught on quite like solar panels mounted to rails. We interviewed Oliver Koehler, CEO and founder of SunTegra, to learn more about his company’s solar shingles, including the power they produce, how they’re warrantied and what are the steps to installation.