I've wondered about that too, especially since regular shingles already have their quirks. From what I've read, solar shingles are supposed to last around 25-30 years, similar to traditional panels. But honestly, I'm skeptical about how they'd handle serious hail or heavy snow loads. Regular shingles can already take a beating—add sensitive electronics into the mix, and I start getting nervous.
A friend of mine installed solar shingles a couple years ago, and while he loves the look and energy savings, he did mention some anxiety during a recent hailstorm. Thankfully nothing happened (yet), but it makes me wonder if manufacturers have really stress-tested these things enough for extreme climates.
Maintenance-wise, they seem straightforward enough—maybe even easier than traditional panels—but durability is definitely something I'd want more concrete data on before jumping in headfirst.
Yeah, totally get the hesitation about hail and snow. I've seen some solar shingles rated for impact resistance (Class 4, I think?), but ratings don't always match real-world conditions. I'd definitely want to see more long-term data from harsh climates before trusting them completely.
- Good point about the ratings vs real-world conditions. Class 4 sounds reassuring, but I'd still be cautious.
- Recently moved into my first home and have been researching solar shingles extensively. The idea of powering the whole house is super appealing, but durability worries me too.
- Talked to a neighbor who installed solar shingles last year—he mentioned they've held up fine through a couple of nasty hailstorms so far, but that's just one winter. Not exactly long-term data yet.
- Also worth considering warranty coverage. Some manufacturers offer decent warranties against hail damage, but reading the fine print carefully is key. I've seen some exclusions or limitations buried in there.
- Personally, I'm waiting a bit longer to see how these shingles perform over multiple seasons before committing. Seems like the tech is promising, but still evolving...
