The Dow Chemical Company, reporting $58 billion in 2014 worldwide revenue, has announced it will introduce its new POWERHOUSE Solar System 2.0 to selected United States markets in early 2016.
The POWERHOUSE Solar System 2.0 (PH 2.0) BIPV roofing system combines the performance and protection of conventional asphalt roofs with an integrated photovoltaic system that distributes electricity to the home. According to Dow Solar, PH 2.0 is a higher energy density system that improves industry leading integrated aesthetics and delivers the same high quality you have come to expect in a Dow solution.
This marks another significant BIPV advance in terms of residential roofing applications. Other leading solar shingle manufacturers include Luma Resources, Certainteed, and Integrated Solar Technology.
In an August 17 press announcement, the Midland, Michigan-based company stated its POWERHOUSE Solar System 2.0 has been “developed with the professional roofer in mind,” featuring waterproofing integration with common roofing materials and fewer roof penetrations than panels.
PH 2.0 targets homeowners who want to go solar, but aren’t willing to accept the complexity and marginal aesthetics currently offered by bulky, rack-mounted PV systems.
Key Features of PH 2.0
- Increased power density
- Uniform appearance for enhanced aesthetics
- Lower installation costs
- Eliminates specialty underlayments
- Easier removal/replacement of the solar PV insert provides flexibility in system maintenance & replacement
- Roof penetration flexibility
- 20-year warranty
PH 2.0 Product Details
According to Dow press information, PH 2.0 functions as both a roof and solar product. The system is installed directly onto the roof deck along with standard asphalt roofing shingles. PH 2.0 is both the roof and the solar energy generator, and has a uniform appearance for superior aesthetics. Older rooftop PV systems use solar panel array installed over typical existing asphalt roofing shingles.
Of note, the PH 2.0 system has projected lower installation costs and eliminates the need for specialty underlayments. Additionally, PH 2.0 inserts can be easily removed and replaced , a concern that has been raised by many potential buyers. Dow officials state the replacement of the solar PV insert provides flexibility in system maintenance and replacement.
The PV material used in PH 2.0 is a thin CIGS (Copper indium gallium selenide) technology produced by NuvoSun called NuvoSun Flex PV cells. NuvoSun, a wholly owned Dow subsidiary, is a second-generation innovator of thin-film photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules.
Dow Solar provides this perspective:
We’ve developed a higher energy density system that improves industry leading integrated aesthetics and delivers the same high quality you have come to expect in a Dow solution. PH 2.0 has been developed with the professional roofer in mind, featuring robust waterproofing integration with common roofing materials and fewer roof penetrations than panels, all backed by a 20 year warranty.
I don't like paywalls. You don't like paywalls. Who likes paywalls? Here at CleanTechnica, we implemented a limited paywall for a while, but it always felt wrong — and it was always tough to decide what we should put behind there. In theory, your most exclusive and best content goes behind a paywall. But then fewer people read it! We just don't like paywalls, and so we've decided to ditch ours. Unfortunately, the media business is still a tough, cut-throat business with tiny margins. It's a never-ending Olympic challenge to stay above water or even perhaps — gasp — grow. So ...
Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!
Have a tip for CleanTechnica, want to advertise, or want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.
