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Solstice Solar Shingles
San Jose & the South Bay

CertainTeed's integrated solar shingle system — solar that lays flat as part of your roof instead of mounting on racks above it. Installed by a CertainTeed-certified Keith Roofing crew. Best paired with a full or partial reroof.

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Solstice Solar Shingles San Jose

Solstice Solar Shingles
Solar That Looks Like a Roof

Solstice is CertainTeed's BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaic) solar shingle product — solar modules sized and shaped like architectural shingles, installed as part of the roof field instead of mounted on racks above it. The visual result is what you see in the photo: a roof with a flat, dark integrated solar section that reads as part of the roof rather than as hardware on top of it. No visible aluminum racking, no tilt frames, no rails, no exposed wiring — just a low-profile section of dark shingles producing electricity. Keith Roofing is a CertainTeed-certified installer for Solstice, which means we can register the integrated CertainTeed warranty that covers both the roofing and solar components together — a meaningful difference from traditional installs where panel and roof warranties live separately.

The honest pitch for Solstice is aesthetic, not economic. Traditional solar panels deliver more watts per dollar — Solstice runs roughly $4.50-$6.50 per watt installed, versus $3.00-$4.50 for conventional panel arrays. The cost premium pays for the integrated look, the absence of mounting hardware, and the single-warranty-for-both-systems story. Homeowners who choose Solstice typically care about curb appeal, live in HOA-managed neighborhoods where architectural committees push back on visible panels, are reroofing anyway and want to combine the projects, or have architectural styles where conventional racks would look wrong. If none of those apply and you just want maximum solar production for minimum dollars, traditional panels are probably the better answer. We'll tell you that honestly during the estimate.

Our Solstice work integrates with the reroof rather than treating it as a separate project. Tear-off and underlayment happen across the whole roof area as standard reroof work. Composition shingle install covers the non-array portions of the roof — Solstice integrates seamlessly with CertainTeed Landmark or other architectural shingle lines. Solstice shingle install happens in the array footprint, with each shingle mechanically attached and wired through to the inverter. Electrical interconnection goes to a solar electrician partner who handles the inverter, system monitoring, utility interconnection, and any battery storage integration. We deliver a fully-installed and warranty-registered Solstice array as part of your reroof project — one contractor, one project, one timeline.

CertainTeed Solstice solar shingles integrated into a residential roof in San Jose by Keith Roofing Company — low-profile dark solar array within composition shingle field
Complete Guide

Understanding Solstice Solar Shingles

How Solstice Works

Each Solstice shingle is a thin monocrystalline solar module roughly the size of a standard architectural shingle, rated around 70 watts. The shingles install in arrays — typically 50-100 shingles depending on system size — within a designated section of the roof, with conventional composition shingle filling the rest of the field. Each shingle wires through to a central inverter (string or microinverter depending on system design), which converts the DC output to AC and ties into your home's electrical panel. From the inside the system works the same as any solar installation; from the outside the difference is visual — flat low-profile dark sections instead of panels-on-racks.

The active cell efficiency of Solstice is around 19.85% according to CertainTeed specifications, which is comparable to traditional monocrystalline panels. The watts-per-square-foot is slightly lower than panels because the shingle form factor includes mounting and aesthetics overhead, but the difference is modest — for most homes with adequate south-facing roof area, the array fits within available space without compromise.

System Sizing for Bay Area Homes

A typical Bay Area home uses roughly 6,000-12,000 kWh per year depending on size, occupants, electric vehicles, and AC usage. To offset that with Solstice, you're looking at a 4-8 kW system, which translates to roughly 60-115 Solstice shingles covering 250-450 square feet of roof area. South-facing roof sections work best (highest production); east-facing and west-facing sections also work with slightly lower output. North-facing sections are not productive enough to be worth installing.

Most Bay Area homes have enough south-facing or near-south-facing roof area to support a system sized to typical residential consumption. Homes with significant shade (mature trees, neighboring buildings) may be poor candidates regardless of system type — both Solstice and traditional panels need direct sunlight to produce. We assess shading patterns during the on-site estimate.

The biggest fit for Solstice in the South Bay tends to be two kinds of homes. High residential-solar-adoption neighborhoods like the ones we work across Cupertino — where panels are common enough that homeowners specifically want a different aesthetic to stand out (or quietly blend in). And architect-collaborated premium homes in places like Palo Alto's Crescent Park and Professorville, where the home's architecture wouldn't look right with conventional racked panels and where HRB or design review can make racked installs difficult to approve in the first place. For both audiences, Solstice's integrated low-profile look is the selling point — not the watts.

Integration with the Reroof

Solstice installs are most economical when paired with a reroof. The reroof handles the tear-off, deck inspection, underlayment, flashings, and conventional shingle work — Solstice integrates into the same project rather than being a separate install that disturbs an existing roof later. If your existing roof is younger than 10 years and in good condition, a Solstice array can still be added without a full reroof, but installation costs are typically higher (more careful work around existing roofing to avoid damaging it). If your roof is older than 15 years, combining the reroof and Solstice is almost always the right answer — you avoid paying for the tear-off twice across a 25-year timeline. See our roof lifespan guide for material-by-material service life expectations to help time the decision.

When to Consider

When Solstice
Is the Right Fit

01

Reroofing Anyway, Want Solar Too

If you're reroofing in the next 5 years and considering solar, combining the projects with Solstice is usually the right answer. One project, one timeline, one integrated warranty.

02

HOA Pushes Back on Visible Panels

HOA architectural committees that reject conventional panel installs often approve Solstice because the integrated look reads as a roof rather than as solar hardware. We've seen approval go through where conventional panels were declined.

03

Curb Appeal Matters

If the aesthetic of your home is something you care about and conventional panels would clash with the architecture, Solstice keeps the roof reading as a roof while still producing power.

04

Specific Architectural Style

Mid-century, Spanish, traditional, or other architecturally-distinct homes where conventional panels look wrong. Solstice integrates without breaking the architectural language.

05

One-Warranty Simplicity

Integrated CertainTeed warranty covers both the roofing and solar components from a single manufacturer, registered by a single certified installer. Cleaner than coordinating separate roof and panel warranties.

06

Budget Tolerates the Premium

Solstice runs 30-50% more per watt than conventional panels. If maximizing watts-per-dollar is your priority, traditional panels are better. If the budget tolerates the aesthetic premium, Solstice delivers.

The System

Solstice
Components

CertainTeed Solstice Shingle

Monocrystalline solar shingle, ~70W per unit. Class 3 impact resistance, rated for all wind zones. Lays flat within the composition shingle field for the integrated look.

CertainTeed Landmark Shingle

Architectural composition shingle covering the non-array portions of the roof. 30-year and lifetime warranty options. Color-matched to integrate with the Solstice array.

Inverter (String or Micro)

Converts DC output from the array to AC for tie-in to your home's electrical panel. String inverter for simpler systems, microinverters for systems with shading or per-shingle monitoring needs.

System Monitoring

Production monitoring lets you track output per shingle or per string in real time. Enables early detection of underperformance and warranty claims if anything fails.

Battery Storage (Optional)

Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery, SolarEdge Energy Bank, or other standard residential storage. Adds backup power and time-of-use optimization. Integrated by solar electrician partner.

Integrated Warranty

25-year CertainTeed warranty covering both power performance and product durability. One registration, one manufacturer, one certified installer — cleaner than separate roof and panel warranties.

Our Process

How We Handle
Your Solstice Install

01

Site Assessment & System Sizing

On-site evaluation of roof geometry, sun exposure, shading patterns, electrical panel capacity, and existing roof condition. Recommended system size based on your annual usage and available roof area.

02

Written Quote & Trade-Off Discussion

Line-item quote covering Solstice array, reroof scope (if combined), inverter, electrical work, permits, and registration. We also walk through Solstice vs traditional panels honestly — if conventional panels are better for your situation, we'll say so.

03

Permits & Interconnection

Building permit through your local jurisdiction (San Jose, Santa Clara County, or specific city). Solar interconnection application with PG&E. Title 24 documentation as required.

04

Reroof & Solstice Install

Tear-off, deck inspection, underlayment, flashings, composition shingle install on non-array portions, Solstice shingle install in the array footprint, conduit and wiring to the inverter location. Typically 1-2 weeks for combined reroof and Solstice.

05

Electrical & Activation

Solar electrician handles inverter install, panel tie-in, monitoring setup, and PG&E interconnection inspection. Final commissioning activates the system. Warranty registration completed in your name through CertainTeed.

Why Keith Roofing

Why Homeowners Choose Us
for Solstice Installation

01

CertainTeed-Certified Installer

Solstice installation requires CertainTeed certification — not every roofer can install it. We carry the certification, which means we can register the integrated CertainTeed warranty that covers both the roofing and solar components together.

02

Reroof + Solar in One Project

Solstice is most economical when integrated with a reroof. We do both — you get one contractor managing the whole project rather than coordinating a roofer and a solar installer separately.

03

Honest Trade-Off Conversations

Solstice isn't the right answer for every home. We'll tell you when traditional panels would serve you better, and we'll tell you when Solstice is the right call. No selling for the sake of selling.

04

70+ Years on Bay Area Roofs

Keith Roofing has been working on Bay Area homes since 1952. We know what roofs in this climate need, what HOA architectural committees actually approve, and what installations hold up across the decades.

Solstice Portfolio

Recent Solstice
Installations

CertainTeed Solstice solar shingle install in San Jose — low-profile integrated array on composition shingle field
Common Questions

Solstice Solar Shingles
Answered

Solstice is CertainTeed's solar shingle product — a BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaic) roofing system that replaces a section of your composition shingles with low-profile solar shingles wired into your home's electrical system. Each Solstice shingle is a thin, dark monocrystalline solar module sized like a standard architectural shingle. They lay flat on the roof instead of mounting on racks above the existing shingles, so the visual result is a roof with a dark integrated section rather than a roof with visible panels and hardware on top.
Three big differences. Aesthetics: Solstice lies flat and integrates with the roof field — no racks, no rails, no visible mounting hardware. Traditional panels sit 4-6 inches above the roof on aluminum racking. Roof integration: Solstice replaces your shingles, so installation happens during a reroof. Traditional panels go on top of existing shingles and add a layer the roof has to support. Cost and watts-per-dollar: Traditional panels deliver more watts per dollar — Solstice's cost premium pays for the aesthetic integration, not better electrical performance. If your priority is maximizing watts-per-dollar, traditional panels still win. If aesthetics and roof integration matter more than raw economics, Solstice is the better answer.
Honest answer: aesthetics and architecture. Solstice costs more per watt than traditional panels and produces slightly less power per square foot. What you're paying for is the look — a roof with integrated solar that reads as a roof, not as a roof with hardware attached. Homeowners who choose Solstice typically care about curb appeal, are in HOA-managed neighborhoods with architectural review committees skeptical of visible panels, are doing a full reroof anyway and want to add solar in the same project, or have specific architectural styles where conventional panels would look out of place. If none of those apply, traditional panels are probably the better choice.
Solstice runs roughly $4.50-$6.50 per watt installed in the Bay Area, depending on system size, roof complexity, and whether it's combined with a reroof. A typical 6 kW residential system runs $27,000-$39,000 before federal tax credits and any state incentives. The 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) applies to Solstice as it does to traditional solar. By comparison, traditional panel arrays run $3.00-$4.50 per watt. The cost delta is what you pay for the integrated aesthetic — it's real money. We give specific written quotes after on-site assessment.
Not technically required, but strongly recommended. Solstice replaces a section of shingles, so installation involves removing and replacing roofing material in the array footprint. If your existing roof is older than 10-15 years, the timeline math says you'll reroof within Solstice's service life anyway — combining the projects avoids paying twice for the same roof tear-off later, and avoids the disruption of removing Solstice for a future reroof. Most Solstice installs we take on are paired with a full or partial reroof for exactly this reason.
CertainTeed warranties Solstice with a 25-year power performance warranty (similar to traditional solar panels) and a 25-year product warranty on the shingles themselves. As a CertainTeed-certified installer, we can offer the integrated CertainTeed warranty that covers both the roofing and solar components together, plus our workmanship warranty on top. The integrated warranty is a meaningful differentiator vs traditional panels where the panel manufacturer warranties the panels and your roofer warranties the roof — Solstice is one warranty registration covering both.
Slightly lower watts per square foot, similar warranted service life. Each Solstice shingle is rated around 70 watts (typical), and you need more square footage of Solstice to produce the same total system wattage as a panel array. For most Bay Area homes with adequate south-facing roof area, this isn't a constraint — there's plenty of roof to work with. For homes with limited south-facing roof area, traditional panels' higher watts-per-square-foot may matter and Solstice may not fit your power needs.
Yes. Solstice ties into your home's electrical system the same way traditional solar does, so any standard battery storage system (Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery, SolarEdge Energy Bank) works with it. Battery integration is typically handled by a separate solar installer partner — we install the Solstice shingles as part of the roof, and the electrical interconnection and battery work go to the solar electrician. We can recommend solar electricians we've worked with on Bay Area Solstice projects.
Solstice is treated the same as any other residential solar by PG&E — the NEM 3.0 Net Billing Tariff that took effect in April 2023 applies regardless of whether your panels are racked traditional modules or integrated Solstice shingles. NEM 3.0 substantially reduced the credit value for solar exported to the grid (versus the older NEM 2.0 rates), which is why most newer Bay Area solar installs include battery storage to maximize self-consumption rather than exporting excess generation. The same logic applies to Solstice: if you're sizing a system today, you're typically pairing solar generation with a battery so you store the daytime production for evening use. We coordinate Solstice with battery installers (Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery, SolarEdge Energy Bank are the common Bay Area choices) on most current projects. The economics are different than they were under NEM 2.0; we walk through the realistic payback math during the estimate so you have accurate expectations.
Yes. Solstice qualifies for the federal residential clean energy credit (often called the Investment Tax Credit or ITC) on the solar-generating portion of the project — currently 30% of the qualified system cost, in effect through 2032 under the Inflation Reduction Act. The credit applies to the Solstice solar shingles, inverter, battery (if installed at the same time), and associated labor; it doesn't apply to the non-array roofing materials or labor for the broader reroof. We provide a documented cost breakdown after install that separates the solar-qualifying portion from the reroof portion, so your tax preparer has what they need. We're not tax advisors — for your specific tax situation talk to your CPA — but the credit is straightforward and widely-claimed on Bay Area Solstice projects.
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