Photovoltaic roof shingles mount directly on the roof structure in the place of asphalt shingles. They not only produce electricity but also offer the same protection as traditional shingles. The photovoltaic cells are made of amorphous silicon and once installed look like ordinary shingles. A typical PV shingle can produce 17 watts each day under full sun. The greater the area of your roof covered with PV shingles the more power the system will generate. The system is connected to the utility grid through an inverter and produces electricity on the customer’s side of the meter. By finding out how much electricity you would like to produce, you can get a good estimate on how much you need covered with PV shingles. A good professional can help with this process as well as ensure proper installation of the system, which you can then benefit from with little maintenance for years to come.