GAF Timberline Solar Shingles Review

For the reason of the introduction of Timberline photo voltaic shingles by GAF Vitality in 2021, these shingles have been put in 16 states. Yearly, 5 million new roofs are put in on houses, with GAF shingles getting used on 1.5 million of them, by Rey Holmes, the Vice President of Providers and Products at GAF Vitality.

The distinctive product and enterprise mannequin of GAF Vitality makes direct comparisons with different corporations’ extra advances. In this overview, we are going to spotlight any areas the place direct comparisons are tough or the place sure facets can’t be definitively acknowledged.

What Does GAF Vitality Present?

GAF Vitality focuses on photo voltaic shingles, which a different from the standard photo voltaic panels which might be mounted on roofs utilizing steel racks. Their product, named Timberline Photo Voltaic, integrates into roofs in an identical method to conventional asphalt shingles, mendacity flat and incorporating electrical elements inside a conduit on the entrance of every shingle. This design provides a much less conspicuous look in comparison with customary photo voltaic panels, although it doesn’t obtain the seamless aesthetic of the dearer Tesla Photo voltaic Roof.

Evaluating the power technology capabilities of photo voltaic shingles like Timberline Photo voltaic with these conventional photo voltaic panels from different corporations is much less simple because of the differing applied sciences. Although when evaluating Timberline Photo voltaic to different photo voltaic shingle choices, GAF Vitality’s product stands out. 

Timberline Photo voltaic Shingle Specs

Class	Measurement
Wattage per shingle	45 W
Wattage per sq. foot	14.3 W
Wind score	130 mph
Shingle effectivity	23%

The warranties provided for Timberline Photo Voltaic are akin to those of the Tesla Photo Voltaic Roof and surpass those of different photo Voltaic shingle manufacturers in the marketplace. GAF Vitality additionally offers extra protection selections, with two different guarantee extensions accessible. Notably, Timberline Photo voltaic shingles have the best effectivity score amongst most different photo voltaic shingle merchandise, reaching around 23% effectivity.

Nonetheless, Timberline Photo voltaic shingles provide a decreased wattage output per shingle, at 45 watts, which is the least we’ve encountered. Compared, the everyday wattage for photo voltaic shingles is around 70 watts, whereas customary photo voltaic panels vary between 250 and 400 watts. Subsequently, to satisfy your own home’s power necessities and to match the output of a single photo voltaic panel, you may want a higher variety of Timberline Photo voltaic shingles than different manufacturers.

Moreover, Timberline Photo Voltaic Shingles are considerably bigger than comparable merchandise, like those from Tesla, and photo Voltaic Shingles are sometimes offered by sq. footage. That is good to bear in mind when you think that protecting your own home’s power may require extra Timberline Photo Voltaic shingles because of their wattage output. 

In late July of 2023, GAF Vitality initiated a recall for photo voltaic shingles and associated tools put in from November 2021 to April 2023 because of a possible hearth hazard. By early August, GAF Vitality acknowledged that 80% of the installations impacted by the recall had been rectified. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported one incident of the fireplace and 5 thermal occasions associated with this concern.

Benefits and Disadvantages of GAF Vitality Photo Voltaic Roofs

Benefits

• Easy set up much like a normal roof
• Enhanced sturdiness with prolonged safety towards leaks and defects
• Superior power effectivity

Disadvantages

• Mounted positioning; lacks adjustability in angle
• Lesser power technology per shingle in comparison with different photo voltaic roofing choices
• Probably increased bills in comparison with conventional photo voltaic panels

What Different Photo Voltaic Merchandise Does GAF Vitality Set up?

GAF Vitality solely provides Timberline Photo voltaic shingles, not conventional photo voltaic panels. Moreover, the corporation itself doesn’t deal with installations; as a substitute, they’re carried out by GAF-certified contractors. Householders can observe the electrical energy manufacturing of their photo voltaic roof through GAF Vitality’s home-owner portal, which is accessible by way of the net somewhat than by a cell app.

By way of photo voltaic inverters, that are essential for changing photo voltaic power into electrical energy usable in houses, GAF Vitality makes use of Delta and SolarEdge string inverters. SolarEdge inverters are recognized for his or her huge distribution, excessive effectivity, and sturdy guarantee. Delta inverters additionally provide dependable efficiency, although SolarEdge is usually thought about as the superior possibility between the 2.

Relating to photo voltaic battery storage, GAF Vitality doesn’t present this instantly. Nonetheless, the Timberline Photo voltaic roof system is suitable with numerous battery choices accessible out there. To combine a photo voltaic battery, owners must seek the advice of a licensed power storage contractor for set up.

What Do GAF Vitality’s Warranties Look Like?

GAF Vitality’s guarantee choices for her Timberline Photo Voltaic Shingles are aggressive in comparison with different photo Voltaic Shingle merchandise accessible out there. Listed here are the important thing facets of their guarantee:

Product Guarantee

GAF Vitality assures that their Timberline Photo voltaic shingles can be leak-free because of manufacturing defects for 25 years, highlighting their confidence in the product’s sturdiness towards water intrusion.

Climate Guarantee

The corporation provides a 15-year guarantee for resistance towards winds reaching as much as 130 mph, guaranteeing stability and resilience in high-wind situations.

Energy Manufacturing Guarantee

GAF Vitality ensures that the power manufacturing of their photo voltaic shingles is not going to decline by greater than 2% within the first year and not more than 0.55% per year after that. After 25 years, the shingles ought to nonetheless function at 84.8% of their unique capability. This degradation price is akin to many present photo voltaic panels, although it could not match the efficiency of some premium fashions.

Moreover, GAF Vitality provides two non-compulsory enhanced photo voltaic warranties for an additional value:

Photo Voltaic Plus Guarantee Addendum: This addendum offers a one-year guarantee on electrical workmanship and extends protection for third-party electronics to 10 years.

Photo voltaic Max Guarantee Addendum: Choosing this addendum upgrades the guarantee to 10 years for electrical workmanship and 25 years for third-party electronics. It additionally features a 25-year solar energy technology assurance, guaranteeing that the Timberline Photo voltaic system will produce a specified quantity of kilowatt-hours over numerous intervals throughout the 25-year interval. The specifics of this assure are decided on a project-by-project foundation.

Rey Holmes from GAF Vitality talked about that whereas the corporation shouldn’t be presently specializing in backup batteries, their programs are suitable with all main battery manufacturers, permitting prospects the flexibility to combine a battery if desired.

Does GAF Vitality Use Subcontractors for Setup?

Sure, GAF Vitality depends on a community of licensed electrical and roofing contractors for the setup of their Timberline Photo Voltaic shingles. These photo voltaic shingles are designed to be nail-able, which permits them to be put in by certified roofers alongside customary roofing shingles. The setup course of entails an area GAF-certified roofer who will match the photo voltaic shingles, whereas an electrician can be chargeable for putting in the inverter, managing the wiring, and caring for different electrical facets of the system.

Is GAF Vitality Accessible in My State?

Timberline Photo voltaic Shingles can be found within the following 16 states:

California	Louisiana	South Carolina
Colorado	Maryland	Texas
Connecticut	New Jersey	Utah
Delaware	New York	Virginia
Florida	North Carolina	Washington, D.C.
Georgia	Pennsylvania

Whereas GAF Vitality is the producer of Timberline Photo voltaic shingles, their setup is solely carried out by GAF-certified Grasp Elite roofers. Consequently, whereas some prospects may uncover GAF Vitality through its website, the vast majority of interactions and transactions happen instantly by the contractors.

For those fascinated with buying a roof with Timberline Solar, GAF Energy’s website provides an internet kind. By finishing this type, you possibly can both be linked with an area installer or positioned on a waitlist, in case Timberline Photo Voltaic shouldn’t be accessible in your space. Your complete course, from the preliminary order to the ultimate setup, is managed by GAF-certified roofers. Nonetheless, native electricians are introduced by these roofers to handle particular facets of the mission, such as the setup of inverters and the required electrical wiring.

Timberline Photo voltaic Shingles Price

Figuring out the precise value of a Timberline Photo voltaic roof will be difficult. The important thing distinction between Timberline Photo voltaic and traditional photo voltaic panels complicates direct value comparisons. Not like standard photo voltaic panels, that are mounted on present roofs, Timberline Photo voltaic serves as an integral part of the roof itself. Subsequently, buying Timberline Photo Voltaic entails buying each a brand new roof and a photo voltaic resolution concurrently.

Though the associated fee varies depending on the marketplace and particular mission particulars, GAF Vitality signifies that the mixed expense of a brand new roof and Timberline Photo voltaic is usually akin to the price of putting in a brand new roof together with conventional rooftop photo voltaic panels. Due to this, choosing Timberline Photo Voltaic is financially wise primarily in case you are already contemplating a roof substitute.

The next costs are the typical value of residential photo voltaic panels set up in North Carolina and Virginia. It’s necessary to notice, nonetheless, that this knowledge doesn’t embrace the prices related to photo voltaic shingles or photo voltaic roof programs. Moreover, state incentives and tax credits should not factored into these estimates. 

North Carolina 

• Common Whole Price: $31,590
• System Measurement: 9 kW
• Price per Watt: $3.51

Virginia

• Common Whole Price: $32,310
• System Measurement: 9 kW
• Price per Watt: $3.59

GAF Timberline Photo voltaic Roof Financing

GAF Vitality doesn’t instantly present financing or leasing choices for Timberline Photovoltaic installations. Nonetheless, the GAF-certified contractors who set up the system could provide financing options. It’s common for photo voltaic installers and contractors to have entry to varied photo voltaic mortgage or financing applications, with some being more favorable than others. You probably have the choice to select from several GAF-certified photo voltaic roof installers in your space, it’s advisable to check their monetary choices to seek out the one that best aligns together with your price range.

Moreover, there are different strategies to finance your photo voltaic roof. These embrace paying the total value upfront in money, acquiring a private mortgage out of your financial institution, or utilizing a house fairness line of credit score. Every one of those choices has its benefits and concerns, so it’s necessary to judge them based mostly in your monetary state of affairs and preferences.

Is GAF Vitality the Finest Selection for Photo Voltaic Setup?

Figuring out whether or not GAF Vitality is the optimum alternative for you entails several concerns. Timberline Photo Voltaic from GAF Vitality stands out as one of many prime selections within the photo voltaic roofing market. It competes with different main gamers like the Tesla Photo Voltaic Roof, which, though sleeker, tends to be dearer and has a barely decreased wind resistance (20 mph lower than Timberline). Moreover, Timberline Photo voltaic shingles have the most effectivity of 23%, the best noticed amongst photo voltaic shingle manufacturers, by GAF Vitality. Value-wise, Timberline Photo voltaic is aggressive with standard photo voltaic choices.

When deciding between photo voltaic shingles and photo voltaic panels, key elements embrace your price range and aesthetic preferences. Photo voltaic shingles are a superb possibility in case your roof wants changing earlier than including photo voltaic panels and when you favor an extra built-in, much less conspicuous photo voltaic resolution.

Conversely, in case your roof doesn’t require a substitute and aesthetics aren’t a serious concern, standard photo voltaic panels would most likely be an extra-appropriate alternative. It’s necessary to notice that whereas Timberline Photo voltaic’s long-term efficiency is akin to many customary photo voltaic panels, some high-performance panels could provide higher effectivity over their lifespan.

Photo voltaic roofs are nonetheless considerably specialized throughout the broader photo voltaic market, with restricted installers providing them. In some instances, you may discover just one photo voltaic roof supplier in your space. To make sure you get the absolute best deal, it’s advisable to hunt quotes from as many photo voltaic roof installers as doable, even when the choices are restricted.

 

Continuously Requested Questions (FAQ)

What’s the distinction between photo voltaic panels and GAF photo voltaic shingles?

Each photo voltaic panel and photo voltaic shingles are designed to generate electrical energy from daylight, however, they differ considerably when it comes to aesthetics, efficiency, and price.

Aesthetics: Photo voltaic panels are usually mounted on the prime of your roof or put in on the bottom. They’re recognized for his or her huge and considerably cumbersome look. In distinction, photo voltaic shingles are smaller and designed to mix in with conventional roofing supplies. They appear like common roof shingles and combine seamlessly together with your roof, providing an extra aesthetically pleasing possibility for many who favor a much less conspicuous photo voltaic resolution.

Efficiency: Most monocrystalline photo voltaic panels, which are a standard kind of photo voltaic panel, usually have increased effectivity rankings in comparison with photo voltaic shingles. This implies they will convert a higher share of daylight into electrical energy. Photo voltaic shingles, whereas progressive and visually interesting, usually have barely decreased effectivity because of their measurement and design constraints.

Price and Set up: The choice between photo voltaic shingles and photo voltaic panels may hinge on your roofing state of affairs. In case your roof requires a whole substitute, photo voltaic shingles could be a more cost-effective and sensible alternative, as they will exchange conventional shingles while additionally serving as a photo voltaic power supply. Nonetheless, in case your present roof is in a good situation, including photo voltaic panels is likely to be an extra simple and cheaper possibility.

General, if aesthetics are a major concern and also you’re on the lookout for a photo voltaic resolution that blends with your own home’s design, or when you’re already planning a roof substitute, photo voltaic shingles could be the best alternative. However, when you’re in search of increased power effectivity and your present roof is appropriate, photo voltaic panels would most likely be the higher possibility.

Do photo voltaic shingles have any downsides?

Photo voltaic shingles include several drawbacks in comparison with conventional photo voltaic panels. The first challenges embrace:

Decrease Effectivity Rankings: Photo voltaic shingles usually have decreased effectivity in changing daylight into electrical energy in comparison with photo voltaic panels. This implies they’re much less efficient in producing energy per sq.foot of roofing.

Greater Setup Prices: Relying on the producer and the precise circumstances of your roof, putting in photo voltaic shingles will be dearer than putting in photo voltaic panels. That is usually because of the complexity of integrating them into your roof and the necessity for a specialized setup.

Restricted Availability: Photo voltaic shingles are comparatively newer expertise in comparison with photo voltaic panels and should not be as broadly accessible. This restricted market presence could make it difficult to seek out installers or particular shingle fashions.

Decrease Wattage Output: Typically, photo voltaic shingles produce much less wattage per unit than photo voltaic panels. This implies you might require extra photo voltaic shingles to satisfy the identical power wants as a smaller variety of photo voltaic panels, doubtlessly resulting in increased prices and extra advanced setup necessities.

These elements make photo voltaic shingles much less appropriate in certain conditions, significantly the place maximizing power technology effectivity or minimizing prices is a precedence. Nonetheless, it continues to be possible for these to prioritize aesthetics or coping with particular roof-related constraints.

Do the Timberline Photo voltaic shingles by GAF Vitality qualify for the federal tax credit score?

Sure, Timberline Photo voltaic shingles are eligible for the federal photo voltaic tax credit score. As they’re categorized as photovoltaic (PV) tools, they qualify for this incentive. The federal photo voltaic tax credit score allows owners to say 30% of the entire value of their photo voltaic system, together with Timberline Photo voltaic shingles, as a credit score towards their federal taxes. Nonetheless, it’s necessary to notice that whereas this tax credit score applies to the photo voltaic facet of the setup, it could not prolong to cover the prices related to the non-solar portion of your roof substitute.

How lengthy do photo voltaic shingles final?

Photo voltaic shingles usually have a lifespan starting from roughly 20 to 30 years. This sturdiness is much like that of conventional photo voltaic panels, which regularly final for 25 years or longer. Nonetheless, the precise lifespan of a photo voltaic shingle roof can differ depending on elements such as the producer’s product’s high quality and the proficiency of the setup. Guaranteeing that you just select a dependable and expert installer is essential for maximizing the longevity and effectiveness of your photo voltaic shingle system.