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That’s a shame, solar panels bolted onto traditional roofs look so gaudy… solar roofs blend into architecture well.

Solar shingles are available from a variety of companies. However, the market success appears to be quite limited. Not too many people are willing to pay a considerable premium for a slight cosmetic advantage.

If you need a new roof anyway it might come out ahead.

I've seen people who were quoted $35k for replacing their roof with a non-solar roof and $50k for a roof with solar shingles. Because the solar shingles were an integral part of the roof the whole roof counted for the 30% federal tax credit, bringing that $50k down to $35k.

If they had went with the non-solar roof with a separate solar system installed on top of it the tax credit would only cover that system because the roof is not part of the system.

I really don't even notice them anymore. Most installs nowadays fill as much of the roof as possible, so it just looks like the roof to most people.

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