Jackery’s New Curved Solar Roof Tiles Are What I’ve Been Waiting For

Jackery had a lot to share at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), including its new curved roof solar shingle panels, where elegance meets energy. These aren’t your average solar panels, and they look better than Tesla’s solar roof. It’s the exact type of system I’ve been waiting for, and here’s why.

The goal is for Jackery’s curved solar panels to seamlessly blend into most residential roofs by looking like the familiar clay tiles many homes employ. And if what we saw at CES is any indication, the popular portable power station brand succeeded.

What Makes the Jackery Roof Panels Different?

So, what makes them so special? Just look at the image above. That’s a roof covered in Jackery’s system. Not only are they curved (a first for US roof solar panels), but they even come in the popular terra-cotta red that most clay tile roofs have. Additionally, you can choose an obsidian black array. Essentially, your roof will look like everyone else in the neighborhood, you won’t have unsightly panels mounted anywhere, and the HOA can’t bug you either. It’s a win-win!

Many of us are familiar with traditional solar roof panels. They’re big, stick out like a sore thumb, and can take over a decade to pay for themselves. And while Jackery’s stylish good looks alone are a huge plus, it sounds like they’ll do an excellent job providing power to any home. Jackery claims these new curved panels are more efficient than the flatter alternatives. The curved design means better coverage, regardless of where the sun is throughout the day.

The company said its XBC curved solar shingles can deliver “more than 25% cell conversion efficiency”, which is better than most regular panels or solar roofs offered today. For example, Tesla’s solar roof offers between 14-18% efficiency, and typical solar panels mounted in an ideal location on a roof can often deliver upwards of 22-24% efficiency.

If Jackery can deliver on that efficiency promise, that’s a significant upgrade in terms of turning sunshine into usable power. Additionally, the company says they’re built to handle tough weather, hail, and strong winds and can manage temperatures from -40°F to 185°F. And yes, it’s all covered by a 30-year warranty.

With the entire panel being solar, curves included, it’ll better capture all the sun’s rays throughout the day. I don’t know about you, but a roof solar system that looks better than most while being more efficient at the same time is a winning recipe in my book.

From what we gathered, each panel consists of three curved shingles, as shown above, which connect in a daisy chain. As a result, the system is very modular and designed to work on a wide array of home sizes. My house isn’t positioned in the best direction for solar, and getting enough surface space to power my entire home could prove challenging. Jackery’s system could be my perfect solution.

Pricing Will Be Key

Like all solar setups, this new system is fairly expensive. Jackery said its curved solar roof will cost around $7,000 on the low end, upwards of $20,000 for larger applications, and about $5,000 for installation. Sure, that’s expensive, but it’s more affordable than much of the competition.

Keep in mind that you’ll need a way to store and use all that power. Jackery’s setup is designed to work with all of its storage solutions and power stations, not to mention the upcoming Jackery HomePower ES (Energy System) when it arrives later this year.

Here’s the final kicker. When you combine federal tax credits with the somewhat affordable price point of the Jackery XBC curved solar shingles, you’re already off to a good start. Then, thanks to a 25% efficiency rating, they’ll pay themselves off even quicker.

The result is a stylish and durable roof that looks like everyone else’s, yet it can erase your power bill and run your home during emergency power outages. Unfortunately, we don’t have a release date yet, but I’ll keep an eye out for more details.