Andrew Wickham joined us recently for Power Your Home Smarter: Discover the Future of Solar Roofing on our Weekly Wednesday Free CEU webinar Series.
If you missed this session, want to rewatch it, or share it with a friend or colleague, you can now do so, as the recording is available below. In addition, Max answered some of the remaining Q&A below, and your question may have additional follow-up below.
Participants gained a much broader understanding of modern solar roofing, especially the range of integrated PV options offered by CertainTeed, including Solstice shingles, full-roof systems, design variations, installation requirements, durability, warranties, and compatibility with various inverters and battery systems. Many noted surprise at how far solar shingles have evolved—in appearance, efficiency, cost competitiveness, and resilience—along with insights on tax incentives, adoption trends, and the importance of aesthetic appeal for homeowners. Key takeaways included fire code setbacks, the need for dummy edge panels, roof pitch requirements, and strong manufacturer support for roofing contractors entering the solar space. Remaining questions center around maintenance, repairability, cost comparisons, electrical integration, leasing options, and how these systems perform long-term compared to traditional panels—especially regarding installation complexity, HOA restrictions, and customer education on real-world performance.
Questions and Answers
| On the how long does a solar installation take, It that intended to be a checklist for the home owner or installer? It can certainly be a complex process and probably too much for some homeowners to leed. | A solar installation would definitely not be recommended as a DIY project. The installation is a simple process for most contractors but does require a licensed electrical contractor for permitting. |
| can we have Andrew’s mail adress ? | andrew.wickham@saint-gobain.com |
| what’s the comparable wattage per square foot? shingle vs. panel? Assuming the shingle is lower overall | I don’t have these numbers right now but can run calculations and provide them |
| why 3 times heavier? | Panels are much larger with metal frames so they are heavier than the composite framed solstice shingles. |
| How long is the warranty on the panels, batteries and the computer system. Also, how long do the panels last? | Solar panels have a 25 year warranty but typically last much longer with a slight reduction in power production due to standard cell degradation |
| What types of inverters are used with the different types of systems? | Solstice Panels are compatible with all inverter types. Solstice Shingle works with Growatt, SMA, Sol-Ark, and Tesla. SunStyle works with all standard inverter types including Enphase and Solaredge. |
| can you address the previous questions please | Solstice Shingle requires attic access, the other products do not. |
| We live in an area that can have forest fires, and are looking at a metal room. Can solar be integrated with that style of roof? | Standard solar panels can be mounted to a metal roof and it’s a great option. Solstice shingles cannot be integrated on the same roof plane as a metal roof. |
| Is a HOA clubhouse considered “commercial” in order to benefit from the incentives stilll available ? | The key differentiation here is whether or not it’s a business that’s purchasing the system. Consult with your tax advisor as it would depend on the system owner who would be purchasing the system for the HOA clubhouse. |
| with thleasing companies, do they come out and remove the solar panels or provide protection for solar shingles in the event of a hurricane or hail | They will replace and repair any damaged solar panels or electrical equipment that’s part of the leased system. |
| Really need to see the electrical components and access ports through the deck. | Visit the Certainteed website’s solar page to find the complete install with these details and components outlined. |
| I have seen a advertizement recently that you can plug in a generator into a battery for emergency power while the solar system is not collecting and the battery is depleted. Is this true? | Yes, however it’s important to make sure it’s an approved and certified system with compatible equipment. There are AC and DC coupled batteries, so you would want to check with the battery manufacturer to ensure compatibility. |
| How do you identify the shingle that has an issue if there is no module level monitoring? | You can identify that the string is producing less power but not which individual shingle in the string is so you will need to check the shingles with a thermal imaging sensor or voltage meter. |
