Huh? Solar shingles have been around since 2005. Dow and CertainTeed Products are the big makers. Here's a nice example of a house with a solar shingle roof.[1]
There's been an aesthetic problem with mixing solar and non-solar shingles, because the colors didn't quite match. But that was mostly because solar shingles were a retrofit, not original equipment, and not an entire roof replacement.
I think you're missing the point. There is no claim that "solar shingles" are a new concept, just that no one was expecting it to be what Tesla was about to announce.
In fact the article even states "Like previous attempts at solar shingles..."
There's been an aesthetic problem with mixing solar and non-solar shingles, because the colors didn't quite match. But that was mostly because solar shingles were a retrofit, not original equipment, and not an entire roof replacement.
[1] http://texastinyhomes.com/integrated-solar/