Comments on: Dow Solar Shingles Now Available in Northern California and Central Texas

By: Thomas

Thomas — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 15:55:00 +0000

It’s really cool they both protect and create energy!

Regards,

Thomas

http://www.sidingcontractors.us/

By: RobS

RobS — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:24:00 +0000

My understanding is that these aren’t really intended as a competitor for PV panels, they are intended for people who won’t install PV panels for aesthetic reasons or for people who are only permitted to install shingle systems due to heritage or homeowner association regulations. It doesn’t matter a lot how they compare with standard panels if the people considering them wouldn’t or couldn’t install panels anyway, the only question is are the economics of shingles adequate to justify their installation, based on their lower efficiency and higher cost one would expect there economic case will simply lag behind PV panels by a year or two.

By: rkt9

rkt9 — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:35:00 +0000

“With respect to whether solar shingles are cost-effective for residential solar, one of the most influential factors is solar efficiency. Reportedly, solar shingles are only 10% efficient (meaning that 10% of the solar energy that strikes the surface can be converted to solar electricity), while solar panels are 13% efficient. In addition, the cost of solar roofing is about 10-15% more than ordinary PV panels.

Some experts are predicting a cost of about $50 per square foot, with an output of 600 watts for every 100 square feet.

Homeowners can take heart in the fact that solar shingles, like ordinary solar panels can qualify for tax incentives and rebates that can defray the cost an additional 30-50%. One estimate is that a solar shingle system for an average homeowner in Michigan will cost about $11,200, including rebates.

Consider these benefit of solar shingles:
•Installed just as regular asphalt roofing shingles
•Waterproof, glass-free and encased in UV-stabilized polymers, solar shingles are practically virtually indestructible.
•They can be dropped from a roof, walked on and stacked in pallets like any other type of roofing shingle
•Connections are simpler than for ordinary solar panels because solar shingles plug into each other to form a solar array.”