Dow Breaks New Ground With Affordable Solar Roof Shingles

The Dow Chemical Company on Oct. 5 unveiled its line of DOW POWERHOUSE Solar Shingles, a ground breaking technology for affordable solar power.

 Sure, massive photovoltaic installations on rooftops are nothing terribly new, but the ones we have seen are stuck on massive warehouses or elaborate stadiums in foreign lands.  Dow Chemical is doing its best to change that with the introduction of the POWERHOUSE line of solar shingles.  As expected, these solar shingles are aimed at roofers looking to tip their hats to Mother Nature while providing shelter for homeowners.  Unlike most futuristic alternatives, these actually look similar to traditional shingles.

 Dow is calling its new photovoltaic solar panels revolutionary; they come in the form of solar shingles that can be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingle materials.  The solar shingle systems are expected to be available in limited quantities by the middle of next year and become more widely available in 2011.

 The technology integrates low-cost, thin-film CIGS photovoltaic cells into a proprietary roofing product.  The innovative design reduces installation costs because it enables roofing contractors to simultaneously install the conventional roofing shingles and solar generating shingles.

 Roofing contractors will not need any specialized skills or knowledge of solar array installations in order to work with the product.

 Jane Palmieri, managing director of Dow Solar Solutions, noted that the new technology addresses the issues of cost and consumer acceptance.  Theses have been the two biggest challenges associated with solar power.  “Consumers reap the benefits of this innovation.  This product is providing roof protection and electricity generation all from one product, with lower costs, improved aesthetics, easier installation and long-lasting performance.” Palmieri said.