GAF TIMBERLINE SOLAR™ FAQs

Timberline Solar™ is the only roof system to integrate solar technology into traditional roofing processes and materials directly. It’s not just solar placed on top of a roof; it is an integrated roofing system that produces energy and keeps your home protected from the elements.

This new system incorporates the world’s first nailable solar shingle, the Timberline Solar Energy Shingle™ (ES), assembled domestically at GAF Energy’s manufacturing and R&D facility in San Jose, California. This creates American jobs and delivers a revolutionary product with the potential to drive a significant shift in residential clean energy adoption.

Is Timberline Solar™ the same as a Tesla solar roof?

No, Timberline Solar™ is a roof system that directly integrates solar technology into traditional lighter-weight roofing materials and processes. This new system incorporates something new: a nailable solar shingle that we call the Timberline Solar Energy Shingle™ (ES). The ES is assembled domestically at GAF Energy’s manufacturing and R&D facility in San Jose, California.

Where is Timberline Solar available?

GAF Energy’s strategic rollout process is well underway, with the immediate goal of bringing Timberline Solar to every state in the U.S. Holladay Grace has been chosen by GAF as the only certified Solar installer in Colorado Springs. With licenses to operate in Colorado Springs and surrounding areas, Holladay Grace is your certified roofer to install your new Timberline Solar™ system.

How does solar roofing work?

GAF Energy has designed and created a direct-to-deck solar system to make it easy for homeowners to go solar when they replace their roofs. “Direct-to-deck” means your solar system installs like a skylight and will be part of the waterproofing barrier that keeps your roof and home safe. Once installed, your solar system converts the sun’s energy into electricity for your home.

The GAF Energy solar system was designed to be a grid-tied net metering system. That means you’ll bank credits for the excess energy you produce to help cover any grid energy you use when the sun isn’t shining.

Roof-integrated solar panel system

Installing your panels simultaneously with your roof means that you get the benefits of solar without the worry that a conventionally installed solar racking system could puncture your roof’s waterproofing barrier. After your system is activated, simply sit back and watch your solar system generate energy through your smartphone monitoring app.

Requiring little maintenance, this is a low-input, high-quality investment. This is a financially attractive offer installed by the best in the business and backed by an industry-leading warranty. You can relax while we install everything for a completely new roof with a solar system.

Let’s make energy from every roof possible with your new roof installation. Get in touch today, and we’ll help determine if solar is right for you.

How much does a solar roof cost?

Pricing of Timberline Solar™ for the average home varies based on several factors, including the size and slope of the roof, the shading around the home, and how much sunlight reaches the roof throughout a typical day. A Timberline Solar™ roof is designed to be affordable and is typically comparable to a new roof plus traditional rack-mounted solar. Timberline Solar™ is currently available for residential installation and may be available for commercial buildings in the future.

Are solar shingles as efficient as panels?

Due to the unique design of Timberline Solar™ as a complete roofing system, efficiency cannot be calculated in the same way as a traditional solar panel. The ES is made from the same high-efficiency mono PERC cell technology found in Tier 1 solar panels. Timberline Solar™ may fit more kW per roof than traditional solar panels depending on a home’s specific roof geometry.

What are the benefits of solar shingles compared to rack-mount solar panels?

Timberline Solar™ is the first true solar roof on the market. It incorporates the world’s first nailable solar shingle, which roofers can install as easily as regular roofing shingles with only a nail gun. The benefit of this roof-integrated solar system is its seamless, waterproof installation that mimics traditional shingle installation. With most residential solar systems on the market using rack-mounted panels or tiles, these setups require specialized installation skills and structures that can require ballast and/or can puncture your existing roof with lag bolts. This could disrupt the waterproofing of your roof, possibly degrading your roof quicker. Plus, the smaller form factor of the Timberline Solar Energy Shingle™, as compared to a solar panel, allows for installation on more complex roof shapes such as dormers or hipped roofs.

Why are GAF Energy Solar Roofs my best option for solar?

Timberline Solar™, integrated solar roofing from GAF Energy, is the first true solar roof. It incorporates solar technology into traditional roofing materials and processes. It uses the world’s first nailable solar shingle, which lays flush against the roof deck, providing great durability and protection. With constant utility rate inflation, Timberline Solar™ was designed to be an affordable solar roofing option. If you’re using solar to power your home in lieu of electricity from the grid, your energy prices may be lower. This all means that your Timberline Solar roof could save you money, allowing those savings to offset the cost of your new roof over time. And with solar roofing becoming more popular, it could even benefit your home resale value.

What is maintenance on my solar roof?

Timberline Solar™ is warrantied for diverse weather conditions such as snow, rain, and wind, and the system is designed to require little to no maintenance. Seasonal rains should help keep the solar shingles clean of dirt and debris, but if not, homeowners can either gently rinse their shingles (only when they’re cool). Timberline Solar™ provides excellent, durable protection from the elements while generating reliable, clean energy for the home. It’s a roof, with power added, designed to protect your home from leaks and other weather-related issues. Timberline Solar™ customers can monitor output and track their clean energy production by logging in to the GAF Energy homeowner portal. Solar roof monitoring puts data directly in customers’ hands and makes it easier to readily detect any issues.

How long will my solar roof last? / How long do solar panels last?

What kind of warranty does a solar roof come with?

Buying a new solar roof can be a big decision, so we’ve made sure to protect your investment with an industry-leading warranty. You can rest easy knowing your GAF Energy solar roof is a safe, water-shedding solution that generates clean solar energy for your home.

As a GAF Master Elite certified roofing contractor, Holladay Grace can provide excellent top-tier roof warranties to protect your home and your new solar roof for up to 25 years.

Are there federal or state tax credits or incentives to go solar?

What kind of roofs can use solar?

The GAF Energy solar system was designed to be compatible with existing GAF roofing products. For optimal solar power generation, your roof needs a certain pitch and good southern exposure to capture the most sunlight. This will help you maximize your solar savings and make the most of your solar roof investment. Working with Holladay Grace means you get a team of people who will help examine, consult, design and install your solar roof. As with any new roof installation, your old roof will be removed, proprietary waterproofing barriers will be applied, and your new shingles and solar panels will be installed together.

Your new solar roof system

Once your solar system is activated, your home will be powered by clean, renewable energy, helping to save you money on your electric bill for 25 years or longer. You can easily monitor your energy production using our smartphone app. And maintenance is simple. Just keep the panels clean to maximize your power production.

Getting your solar panels installed simultaneously as your roof allows you to avoid two separate projects and to bundle the cost, time invested, and warranty. If you need a new roof, this is the best time to upgrade to a roof with solar. With tax credits and other incentives available at the state and federal levels, your investment may pay itself off faster and could continue to save you money for decades to come. Our consultants can help you determine if a solar roof works for you. Let’s turn your roof into real estate that pays you back.

How is a solar roof installed?

How do I get a solar roof for my home?

The perfect time to go solar is when you are replacing your roof. To get started, get in touch with a GAF-certified roofer. We have designed an attractive, roof-integrated solar system that’s elegant, low-profile, and waterproof. With everything included, from shingles to solar panels, you don’t have to worry about a thing when you go solar with GAF Energy.

Let us help you install a new roof that turns this part of your home into energy-generating real estate that could save you money for years to come. The GAF Timberline Solar™ system was designed to be easily installed and is backed by an industry-leading warranty. Going solar at home has never been easier or more financially attractive.

How to go solar at home

A consultation will be necessary to check and see if your home is a good candidate for solar. We want to ensure you get the best solar-powered experience possible, so we will check your roof’s direction, size, and pitch. Contact us today for your free inspection.

From the design to installation and activation, our team will support you every step of the way. Once your new roof with direct-to-deck solar panels is installed, we will work with an electrician to connect your system and guide you through the permitting process. Then just sit back and enjoy a high-quality, waterproof solar roof that could help pay for itself through electrical bill savings and tax credits. Get in touch today and find out how solar could save you money while your new roof keeps your home safe and dry.

What will solar look like on my home?

Your new GAF Timberline Solar™ shingles will integrate seamlessly into your new roof, resulting in an elegant, low-profile look while maintaining the integrity of your roof’s waterproofing barrier.

A sleek and modern solar roof

Your new solar roof will look modern and offer a financially sound investment. From consultation to design and installation, our team has you covered. Let the best in the business take care of you and relax, knowing an industry-leading warranty supports you. Turn your roof into power-producing real estate that could help save you money.

How much does Timberline Solar™ stick out on a roof?

A Timberline Solar™ roof has two shingle types that are installed together to create a complete solar roof. The Timberline Solar Energy Shingle™ (ES) and the Timberline Solar HDZ™ Shingle.

The Timberline Solar Energy Shingle™ (ES) is the world’s first nailable solar energy shingle. It installs as readily and easily as standard roofing shingles, providing protection from the elements while generating solar energy for use within the home. It boasts an industry-defying depth of less than a quarter inch. The ES integrates with compatible traditional non-energy generating shingles (Timberline Solar HDZ™ Shingle) to create a sleek and attractive look.

This approach means homeowners do not sacrifice the integrity or aesthetics of the roof to go solar.

Can Timberline Solar™ be installed around other objects on my roof, such as vents, chimneys, and skylights?

Installing Timberline Solar™ on a roof with obstructions like vents, chimneys, skylights, and satellite dishes may be possible. It all comes down to how much the obstructions would interfere with installation and whether moving or eliminating them is possible and desirable.

Timberline Solar™ cannot be installed over existing obstructions, but it can be installed near them, within a certain proximity. Other options include removing the obstructions or relocating them on the roof, depending on the type of obstruction and the homeowner’s preference. Their size and installation method make Timberline Solar™ Energy Shingles (ES) uniquely appealing. Unlike some solar roofing products, which may be made up of large rigid panels with limited array options, Timberline Solar™ was designed to be smaller and capable of fitting individual shingles into areas on a roof that larger panels may not fit.

How does shading around my home affect a solar roofing installation?

Solar power functions by capturing sunlight and converting it into energy. Therefore, if a solar power module is blocked from sunlight, it cannot function properly. That’s why many solar roofing systems – such as Timberline Solar™ – require optimal exposure to sunlight.

If a roof is heavily shaded by a permanent obstruction like a building or thick forestation, and sunlight is blocked regardless of the sun’s position, a solar installation is not advised. This is known as “hard” or “extreme” shading. If a roof experiences light shading, mitigation efforts may be taken to allow for solar installation, depending on the severity of the shading. Examples of light shading include a single tree whose shadow moves depending on the sun’s position (known as “sweeping shade”) or whose canopy is thin enough for sunlight to perforate. Maximum energy generation cannot be achieved unless no shading is present. Still, the value of installing solar roofing, even in the presence of shade, can change from project to project and from house to house.

Do solar panels work in the snow?

How can I tell how much power my solar roof is generating?

Our roof-integrated solar system includes smart, easy-to-use solar power monitoring. You’ll be able to see how your system is performing via the GAF Energy homeowner portal to track clean energy production. Solar roof monitoring puts data directly in customers’ hands and makes it easier to readily detect any issues.

Our team will be there with you every step of the way. Let the best in the business keep your home safe and dry while producing power for decades to come. You can just sit back and watch your system generate electricity for your home.

Does my Solar Roof come with batteries or grid connection?

Timberline Solar™ is designed to be operated in connection with the electric grid and is compatible with many energy storage offerings on the market. AC-coupled batteries are designed to be added to existing solar installations at anytime. Other energy storage systems may require unique equipment for existing solar installations. All options and features for energy storage are site dependent and unique to the particular energy storage system. Please verify with a licensed energy storage contractor in advance that the specifications are right for the installed solar components and the desired operation modes (backup, self-consumption, time-of-use load shifting, etc.)

What happens to my power bill with a solar roof?

You’ll still receive a monthly statement from your utility. Depending upon the size of your solar system, your family’s energy usage, how much solar energy you generate monthly, and local net metering rules, that bill could show a credit or a small amount due.

Our solar and roofing pros will help you decide whether going solar makes economic sense for you.

Are solar panels worth the investment?

With a net-metering agreement, surplus energy generated by your solar system is fed back into the power grid. A surplus results when you generate more solar energy than you use within a given timeframe (i.e., your monthly billing cycle).

The value of this energy, governed by your local net metering policies, is typically treated as a credit to your bill and can be managed in several ways. Depending on the state, the value may roll over month-to-month. In other areas, that amount may be credited quarterly or annually.

If you’re wondering if installing solar is worth it, contact us today.  One of our expert team members will work with you to help you understand your local utility net metering rules and regulations. Let us make going solar easy, so you can start saving money now.

Will I sell power back to my utility and make money?

Not exactly. While your roof-integrated solar system may generate excess energy sent to the grid under net metering rules, you are compensated for this via a credit, not a cash payment. This is how your new solar roof could save you money and pay for itself over time.

You also may use these credits when you need to draw energy from the grid, such as at night or during times of year you’re generating less solar energy. Depending on your local net metering rules, these credits may roll over monthly or get distributed quarterly or annually. When you factor in the benefits of net metering with government incentives that help pay for solar, you could definitely end up saving money over the coming decades.

Save money by installing solar with a new roof

Solar panels can generate energy any time of year, as long as the sun is shining, to help save you money. When you generate more energy than you use during the summer, you’ll receive net metering credits to use during the winter to help keep your electric bills lower all year long.

Homeowners with solar enjoy checking their smartphone app to see how much energy they make on their roof.

The panels don’t have any moving parts, so the only required maintenance is keeping them clean so they can produce plenty of energy and save you money.

If you need a new roof, contact us today to see if a solar roof is right for your home. Why worry about managing two home improvement projects at the same time? Get solar with a new GAF roof.

Can I go off-grid?

It would not be cost-effective for most people to try to go completely off-grid with a solar system. Unless you live in a remote area where electricity is unavailable, unreliable, or extremely expensive, you’re better off being connected to the conventional utility grid. That’s because you’ll need to access energy from the grid when the sun isn’t shining. But thanks to net metering, any excess energy your system produces on sunny days will earn you credits that can be applied anytime you’re using grid power.

However, the GAF Energy system can be connected to a solar storage battery if you want backup power for limited uses. You’ll need to purchase the battery and any other required components separately and will be responsible for installing and maintaining your solar storage battery.

An alternative to off-grid solar systems

Designed to be an easy-to-install product for GAF-certified roofers, your new solar system will have a sleek, low profile and be integrated into your roof’s waterproofing barrier. From consultation to installation and electrical hookup, we and our contractors will be there to make sure your solar roof is done right. Once installed, your solar investment will help you save money for decades to come. Watch your system create clean energy from your smartphone’s solar energy monitoring app.

Let’s make solar energy from every roof possible with your new solar roof installation today.

Can I add batteries to my existing GAF Energy solar system?

Yes. GAF Energy solar roof systems are compatible with many energy storage offerings on the market. A licensed energy storage contractor can evaluate, recommend, and install your home’s appropriate energy storage system.

AC-coupled batteries like the Tesla Powerwall or Sonnen Eco are designed to be added to existing solar installations at any time. Other energy storage systems may require unique equipment for existing solar installations.

All options and features for energy storage are site dependent and unique to the particular energy storage system. Please verify with a licensed energy storage contractor in advance that the specifications are right for the installed solar components and the desired operation modes (backup, self-consumption, time-of-use load shifting, etc.).

Does my system work when the power goes out?

When is the best time to go solar?

At Holladay Grace, we believe the best time to go solar is when replacing your roof. The GAF Energy solar system is designed to be a part of your roof, similar to a skylight. This provides you with a sleek and seamless product designed to create clean, renewable energy for decades to come. Going solar turns your roof into valuable real estate that earns savings for you.

Should I go solar now or wait?

Going solar can seem like a complicated process. Choosing the solar panels, designing the system, and financing everything, can feel overwhelming. This is why Holladay Grace is committed to making solar easier for everyone.

The GAF solar system enables you to start producing your own energy when you get a new roof. Designed and installed Holladay Grace, we have you covered. We’ll design the system, activate it, and protect your investment with an industry-leading warranty.

Let’s work together to create energy from every new roof. Don’t wait; get in touch today to find out if solar might be right for you.

How do I know when I need to replace my roof?

As with all things, a roof eventually needs to be replaced to maintain its integrity. As your home’s barrier against the elements, your roof takes on a lot of damage over its lifetime. Typically, roofs are replaced around the 20-year mark, with some needing to be replaced sooner and others lasting longer. This depends on many factors, such as the roof composition and the climate you live in.

Contact Holladay Grace if you’d like to schedule a roof inspection to see if your roof needs to be replaced. If you are in need of a roof replacement, that’s the best time to consider going solar with GAF Timberline Solar™. The seamless, waterproof solar system could even help pay for itself over time.

When to replace your roof

To inspect your roof yourself, look in your attic on a sunny day. If you notice light getting through anywhere or see sagging, cracks, or evidence of water damage, such as dark spots, you might need a roof replacement. A damaged roof could lead to moisture getting inside your home, which can cause many expensive problems if not dealt with promptly.

By working with Holladay Grace, you are choosing the best in the business, backed by an industry-leading warranty. Your new solar system was designed by experienced roofing professionals to bring you a top-of-the-line product that lasts. Get in touch today to determine if a solar roof is right for your home.

Is solar roofing really good for the environment? Does it really make a difference?

Yes! By replacing some of your daily energy use with clean, renewable energy from your roof, you are lowering your carbon footprint and reducing your dependency on gas and oil. Through net metering agreements, surplus energy produced by your solar system is delivered to the electrical grid, helping to offset others’ use of conventional grid power.

Going solar can help lead to cleaner air. Reducing our carbon footprint is a way to fight global warming, and it helps reduce the need for extraction practices such as oil drilling and fracking. This leaves the environment cleaner while still providing power to your home. You can help contribute to a sustainable, healthier environment by working with GAF Energy to install a roof-integrated solar panel system with your new roof this year.

Make a difference with your new solar roof

Tax credits and the credits you’ll earn with net metering can help make solar more affordable while also helping to preserve the environment. Easy to install and maintain, our system was designed to make going solar easier when you get a new roof.

By working with us at GAF Energy, you can rest assured knowing your roof and solar system will be installed by the best in the business and backed by an industry-leading warranty. Designed by waterproofing and roofing professionals for easy installation by GAF-certified roofers, GAF Energy solar is an investment worth making. Once you’re up and running you can see how much energy you’re producing using our smartphone solar monitoring app.

With a GAF Energy solar system you could save money and help the environment for decades to come. Every small bit counts when working toward a more sustainable future for us all. Contact us today to talk about how you can save money and help the environment.

I heard about GAF Energy through a roofing contractor. How do you work together?

Standard Industries, the world’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, launched GAF Energy in 2019 to provide GAF-certified contractors with the products and training needed to install new roofs with integrated home solar power systems.

Holladay Grace will guide you through the entire process to ensure your solar roof installation goes smoothly. Solar can enhance your home’s value, help you save money on electricity bills, and reduce your carbon footprint. Join our mission to turn every new roof into a solar roof.

* Contractors enrolled in the GAF factory-certified contractor programs are independent contractors, not GAF or GAF Energy employees.

How Does the Solar Roof Process Work?

The Holladay Grace team will help determine if solar is right for your home. Then we help keep things simple by coordinating the entire process from design to installation, permitting, and solar system activation.

You’ll also gain peace of mind knowing that, unlike conventional home solar installations, there are no lag bolt puncture points in your roof. Instead of drilling holes through your shingles, your solar panels are installed like a skylight, ensuring the system is truly roof-integrated. Install a new solar roof today.