By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Solar reflective shingles are asphalt shingles with coated granules that reflect more of the sun’s near-infrared energy, and in the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) directory they rate between 0.16 and 0.30 aged solar reflectance, against roughly 0.80 for a clean white roof. They are not electricity-generating solar shingles. The CRRC puts average savings for a cool roof at 7% to 15% of total cooling costs, the U.S. Department of Energy says cool asphalt shingles cost up to $0.50 per square foot more than conventional ones, and California’s Title 24 sets the steep-slope floor at 0.20 aged reflectance or SRI 16.
What are solar reflective shingles?
Solar reflective shingles, also called cool asphalt shingles, are architectural or three-tab shingles whose granules are coated to reflect infrared sunlight instead of absorbing it as heat. Each maker sells them as a named line: GAF Timberline HDZ Reflector Series, CertainTeed Landmark Solaris, Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration Cool and Cool Plus, Malarkey Ecoasis, IKO Cambridge Cool Colors, Atlas Pinnacle Sun and PABCO Premier Radiance all appear in the CRRC directory export dated October 19, 2026. The CRRC lists 171 asphalt shingle products in that export.
The reflectance happens mostly in the near-infrared band, which the eye cannot see, so a reflective shingle can look like a standard one while rating higher on the CRRC label. GAF credits its EcoDark granules for the dark Charcoal color in the Timberline HDZ RS line, and Malarkey lists five Ecoasis variants (Ecoasis, Ecoasis Costa, Ecoasis Premium, Ecoasis Sol and Windsor Ecoasis); each color carries its own CRRC product ID.
What the CRRC label measures: solar reflectance, thermal emittance, and SRI
Three numbers describe every cool shingle, and each is set by a named ASTM test. Solar reflectance is the fraction of sunlight bounced back, thermal emittance is how readily the surface sheds absorbed heat, and the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) combines both. California’s 2025 Energy Code requires SRI to be calculated with approach I of ASTM E1980 (2019), per the CRRC’s Title 24 summary.
| Metric | Scale | What it tells you | Asphalt cool shingles in the CRRC export | ASTM test method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar reflectance (SR) | 0 to 1 | Share of solar energy reflected; higher is cooler | 0.16 to 0.30 aged (3-year) | ASTM C1549 or ASTM E903 |
| Thermal emittance (TE) | 0 to 1 | How fast the surface releases absorbed heat | 0.87 to 0.97 aged | ASTM C1371 |
| Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) | Roughly 0 to 100+ | Combined score; black near 0, white near 100 | 15 to 33 aged | ASTM E1980 (2019 method) |
The CRRC lists both an initial and a 3-year aged value, because reflectance changes as dirt and weathering accumulate. Title 24 uses aged values, so compare aged solar reflectance when you shop. Several products, including GAF’s Reflector Series colors, list only initial values (0.21 to 0.23) until their 3-year field exposure finishes.
Solar reflective shingles vs. solar shingles: not the same thing
Solar reflective shingles and solar shingles are different products that share a word. Reflective shingles passively reject heat and cost up to $0.50 per square foot more than standard shingles (DOE). Solar shingles are building-integrated photovoltaics that generate electricity, and the federal 25D credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025 under Public Law 119-21, per the IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit page. If you want power generation, see our guide on solar shingles vs. solar panels.
| Product | What it does | Typical added cost | Buy it to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar reflective (cool) shingles | Reflect infrared heat, lower roof temperature | Up to $0.50 per sq ft, about $1,000 on 2,000 sq ft (DOE) | Cut summer cooling load or meet Title 24 |
| Solar (photovoltaic) shingles | Generate electricity | Priced as a roof plus a solar array; get a per-watt quote | Produce power and replace the roof |
| Solar panels on standard shingles | Generate electricity, mounted on top | Priced per watt of panel capacity | Add power to an existing good roof |
How do solar reflective shingles work?
Solar reflective shingles coat the surface granules with pigments tuned to the near-infrared part of sunlight, which carries much of the sun’s heat. Reflecting that band keeps heat out of the shingle, the deck and the attic. The scale of the effect depends on reflectance: ENERGY STAR, citing the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Heat Island Group, says a roof reflecting 80% of sunlight stays about 50°F cooler on a summer afternoon than a grey roof reflecting 20%, and cool shingles at 0.20 to 0.30 sit near the grey end of that comparison.
A cooler roof deck sends less heat into the attic, so the air conditioner runs less during peak afternoon hours. The EPA reports that solar reflectance can cut peak cooling demand in air-conditioned homes by 11% to 27%, and can lower maximum indoor temperatures in homes without air conditioning by 2.2 to 5.9°F. The effect is largest on a single-story home with modest attic insulation, where DOE puts annual air-conditioning savings at up to 15%.
How much do solar reflective shingles save on energy?
Solar reflective shingles save the most where cooling bills are high and the sun is strong. The CRRC gives average savings of 7% to 15% of total cooling costs for a cool roof. In cold climates the EPA notes a winter heating penalty, which it says summer savings typically offset, and which is smallest where snow covers the roof for most of the winter. Our Cool Roof Energy Savings Report breaks the numbers down by climate zone.
The published figures differ because each measures something different: the CRRC’s 7% to 15% is annual cooling cost, the EPA’s 11% to 27% is peak cooling demand, and DOE’s up to 15% is annual air-conditioning energy on a single-story building. Attic insulation is the swing factor: the better insulated the ceiling, the less of the roof’s heat reaches the living space.
| Climate | Cooling savings potential | Winter heating penalty | Net verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot and sunny (Phoenix, Miami, Houston) | Upper part of the CRRC 7% to 15% range | Minimal | Strong fit |
| Mixed (Atlanta, Dallas, Sacramento) | Middle of the 7% to 15% range | Small; EPA says summer savings typically offset it | Good fit |
| Cold and cloudy (Minneapolis, Boston) | Lower end or below 7% | Noticeable, smallest under lasting snow cover (EPA) | Weak fit on energy alone |
What do solar reflective shingles cost?
DOE’s Guide to Cool Roofs says cool asphalt shingles sell for up to $0.50 per square foot more than conventional asphalt shingles, because they use the same construction with upgraded granules. On a 2,000 sq ft roof (20 squares) that is up to $1,000 more; labor and tear-off are the same as a standard reroof. At the architectural asphalt range of $5 to $8 per square foot installed in our 2026 roofing cost report, the premium is at most 6% to 10% of the job.
That premium is why reflective shingles rarely pay back on cooling savings alone in mild climates. Worked example: a home spending $1,000 a year on cooling at the CRRC’s 7% to 15% average saves $70 to $150 a year, so a $1,000 premium takes roughly 7 to 14 years to recover; at a $300 premium it is 2 to 4 years.
Solar reflective shingle brands compared: reflectance, ENERGY STAR, and cost
Every major asphalt shingle maker sells CRRC-rated cool colors, and reflectance varies by color within each line. The table is compiled from the CRRC Rated Products Directory export of October 19, 2026, counting each listed color as one product.
| Brand and line | Colors listed | Aged solar reflectance | Aged SRI | Highest-rated color (CRRC ID) | Darkest listed color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CertainTeed Landmark Solaris | 13 | 0.18 to 0.28 | 17 to 29 | Mist White, 0.28 / SRI 29 (0668-0071) | Moire Black, 0.18 / SRI 17 |
| Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration Cool and Cool Plus | 15 | 0.18 to 0.29 | 16 to 29 | Shasta White, 0.29 / SRI 29 (0890-0008) | Midnight, 0.21 / SRI 20; Night Sky, 0.18 / SRI 16 |
| Malarkey Ecoasis (all Ecoasis lines) | 30 (27 with aged values) | 0.16 to 0.30 | 15 to 33 | Windsor Ecoasis Scotchgard Agave, 0.30 / SRI 33 (0850-0034) | Moonlit Black, 0.20 / SRI 20 |
| IKO Cambridge Cool Colors and Cool Plus | 9 (8 aged) | 0.20 to 0.25 | 20 to 26 | Harvard Slate Cool Plus, 0.25 / SRI 26 (1214-0012) | Graphite Black Cool Plus, 0.20 / SRI 20 |
| Atlas Pinnacle Sun | 9 | 0.18 to 0.23 | 17 to 23 | Cool Oyster, 0.23 / SRI 23 (1182-0011) | Cool Evening Dunes 2.0, 0.19 / SRI 18 |
| GAF Timberline HDZ (incl. Reflector Series) | 11 (3 aged) | 0.18 to 0.23; Reflector Series initial 0.21 to 0.23 | 17 to 24 | Birchwood, 0.23 / SRI 24 (0676-0096) | Reflector Series Charcoal, initial 0.21 |
| PABCO Premier Radiance | 5 (1 aged) | 0.19; initial 0.19 to 0.23 | 21 | Cool Weathered Wood, 0.19 / SRI 21 (1018-0025) | Cool Black, initial 0.20 |
On ratings history: the EPA sunset the ENERGY STAR roof products specification on June 1, 2022, per the ENERGY STAR specification page. An ENERGY STAR claim on an older brochure is not a current rating; the CRRC directory and Title 24 compliance are what count now. Cost premium by line is not published by the makers; DOE’s up to $0.50 per square foot is the best public benchmark.
Which reflective shingle fits your project: decision table
| If your project is | Look for | Threshold or rule |
|---|---|---|
| A California single-family new home in Climate Zones 10 to 15 | Any CRRC-rated color meeting the aged values | Aged SR 0.20 and TE 0.75, or SRI 16 (Title 24, 150.1(c)11) |
| A California single-family reroof in Climate Zones 4 or 8 to 15 | Same thresholds | Aged SR 0.20 and TE 0.75, or SRI 16 (2025 code, alterations) |
| A California multifamily new building, Climate Zones 10, 11, 13 or 15 | A higher-reflectance light color | Aged SR 0.25 or SRI 23 (2025 code, Option B) |
| A dark roof you still want rated | OC Midnight, Malarkey Moonlit Black, IKO Graphite Black Cool Plus | Each lists aged SR 0.20 and SRI 20 in the CRRC export |
| Maximum cooling from asphalt | A white or tan cool color | Top aged SR in the export: 0.28 to 0.30 (Mist White, Shasta White, Ecoasis Agave) |
| A cold, snowy climate | Standard shingles unless a code requires cool | EPA: winter heating penalty; savings smallest where cooling loads are low |
| A well-insulated attic | Price the premium against a small saving | DOE’s up to 15% AC saving is for a single-story building |
Do solar reflective shingles meet California Title 24 and cool roof codes?
Yes, CRRC-rated cool shingles are how most steep-slope homes comply with California’s Title 24, and the 2025 Energy Code took effect January 1, 2026. Single-family homes with steep-sloped roofs in Climate Zones 10 through 15 need a minimum aged solar reflectance of 0.20 and thermal emittance of 0.75, or an SRI of 16, under section 150.1(c)11. For reroofs, the 2025 alterations section applies the same 0.20 / 0.75 / SRI 16 values in Climate Zones 4 and 8 through 15. Roofs weighing at least 25 lb/ft², such as tile, and building-integrated PV are exempt from the new-construction values.
Multifamily steep-slope roofs under the 2025 code’s Option B need aged SR 0.25 or SRI 23 in Climate Zones 10, 11, 13 and 15, per the CRRC summary. Low-slope Option D roofs need aged SR 0.63 and TE 0.75, or SRI 75, in Climate Zones 2, 4 and 6 to 15, a level asphalt shingles do not reach. Any product used for compliance must be CRRC rated, so confirm the threshold for your climate zone with the local building department.
Do solar reflective shingles come in dark colors?
Yes. In the October 2026 CRRC export, Owens Corning Duration Cool Plus Midnight, Malarkey Ecoasis Moonlit Black and IKO Cambridge Graphite Black Cool Plus each list aged SR 0.20 and SRI 20, which clears the Title 24 steep-slope floor. CertainTeed Landmark Solaris Moire Black lists 0.18 and SRI 17, which still passes on the SRI 16 path. GAF markets its Timberline HDZ RS Charcoal, rated by GAF on its EcoDark granules, as the darkest reflective shingle on the market.
A dark reflective shingle still absorbs more heat than a light one: the darkest rated colors sit at 0.18 to 0.20, against 0.28 to 0.30 for the lightest. If maximum cooling is the goal, choose a lighter color. For homeowners weighing the color question directly, see our guide to white roof shingles.
Are solar reflective shingles worth it?
Solar reflective shingles are worth it mainly when you are already replacing the roof in a hot, air-conditioning-heavy climate, or when Title 24 requires them. The premium is up to $0.50 per square foot (DOE), the CRRC’s average saving is 7% to 15% of cooling costs, and the EPA’s peak-demand cut is 11% to 27%. In cold or mild climates the energy case is weak, and code compliance becomes the real reason to choose them.
- Confirm your climate. Hot and sunny favors reflective shingles; the EPA flags a winter heating penalty in cold climates.
- Check local code. In California, Title 24 requires aged SR 0.20 or SRI 16 on single-family steep roofs in Climate Zones 10 to 15, and on reroofs in Zones 4 and 8 to 15.
- Compare CRRC numbers, not names. Pick the highest aged solar reflectance you accept for your color, from 0.18 (darkest) to 0.30 (lightest).
- Price the premium. Ask for the per-square difference in writing; DOE’s benchmark is up to $0.50 per square foot.
- Look for utility rebates. Federal 25C credits ended for property placed in service after December 31, 2025, so check your utility for cool roof rebates.
For more low-heat roof choices, see our overview of sustainable roofing options and the roofing basics hub.
Frequently asked questions
Do solar reflective shingles really work?
Yes, within limits. Cool asphalt shingles in the CRRC directory reflect 0.16 to 0.30 of sunlight after 3 years, versus about 0.80 for a white roof, so the effect is smaller than a white membrane. The CRRC puts average savings at 7% to 15% of cooling costs, and the EPA reports peak cooling demand cuts of 11% to 27% in air-conditioned homes.
What solar reflectance number should I look for?
Look for the CRRC-listed 3-year aged solar reflectance. Cool asphalt shingles in the October 2026 export run from 0.16 to 0.30 by color, and California Title 24 steep-slope compliance for single-family homes needs 0.20 with thermal emittance 0.75, or SRI 16. Multifamily Option B in Climate Zones 10, 11, 13 and 15 needs 0.25 or SRI 23.
Are solar reflective shingles the same as solar shingles?
No. Solar reflective shingles passively reflect heat and cost up to $0.50 per square foot more than standard shingles, per DOE. Solar shingles generate electricity, and the federal 25D credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Confirm which product a quote describes before comparing prices.
Do solar reflective shingles come in dark colors?
Yes. Owens Corning Duration Cool Plus Midnight, Malarkey Ecoasis Moonlit Black and IKO Cambridge Graphite Black Cool Plus each list aged solar reflectance 0.20 and SRI 20 in the CRRC directory. GAF markets Timberline HDZ RS Charcoal as the darkest reflective shingle. Lighter cool colors reach 0.28 to 0.30.
How much more do solar reflective shingles cost than regular shingles?
DOE’s Guide to Cool Roofs says cool asphalt shingles sell for up to $0.50 per square foot more than conventional shingles, or up to $1,000 on a 2,000 sq ft roof. Labor and tear-off match a normal reroof, so the premium makes the most sense during a replacement you were already planning.
Do solar reflective shingles qualify for a tax credit in 2026?
No federal credit applies in 2026. Roofs were not on the 25C qualifying list for 2023 to 2025, and the IRS states the 25C credit covers property placed in service before December 31, 2025. Check current IRS guidance and a tax professional, and ask your utility about cool roof rebates.
What is the best solar reflective shingle brand?
Performance is set by the CRRC-rated aged reflectance of the specific color, not the brand. In the October 2026 export the highest aged values are Malarkey Windsor Ecoasis Scotchgard Agave at 0.30, Owens Corning Duration Cool Shasta White at 0.29 and CertainTeed Landmark Solaris Mist White at 0.28. Compare the CRRC label for your chosen color.