Solar Shingles Heat Up

Posted on by

Solar Shingles from The Dow Chemical Company Check out a recent story I wrote for Technology Review on a new plug ‘n’ play solar shingle from Dow Chemical. Dow plans to release a small test batch of the solar embedded shingles later this year and while they haven’t yet announced who will get them, I think they’d compliment my solar hot water system quite nicely.

My guess is this and other attempts to merge solar panels with conventional building materials will initially cost a premium and the technology will likely encounter some hiccups along the way. But, eventually, I think solar embedded shingles will become a standard part of new roofs. Like one industry analyst told me, “two hundred years ago they didn’t build buildings with electrical systems in the walls and wiring buildings was a really expensive retrofit. Today, its standard practice.”

This entry was posted in Alternative Energy by LGlick. Bookmark the permalink.

About LGlick

Lilah was was the Global Warming/Clean Energy Outreach Coordinator for Clean Water Action’s Boston office where she advocated for climate and energy policy in the commonwealth and worked in local communities to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions. Prior to serving as a clean energy advocate, she worked as a Development Associate for a non profit Internet Service Provider to promote low income/ rural access to wireless services. She also served for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua as a small business coordinator and as an Americorps Community Organizer for the city and school district of Falls City, Oregon.

5 thoughts on “Solar Shingles Heat Up”

  1. Unfortunately the current stance of the State Board regulating the electrical trades will make it impossible for roofers to install this product here in MA. Until that is resolved I could not recommend anyone trying the product here, unless you want your electrician installing your roof.

    • >I could not recommend anyone trying the product here,
      >unless you want your electrician installing your roof.
      The problem with that being the higher rates they charge.

      Would you happen to know if there is anything preventing
      an enterprising do-it-yourselfer from taking it on, and then
      simply having an inspector sign-off on it?

      • The current law allows homeowners to hire electricians to install solar electric equipment directly. Most wiring inspectors will not issue a permit for homeowners to do electrical wiring, nor do utilities offer net metering agreements without a licensed electrician involved. You are building a power plant directly connected to the electric utility, after all….

        The problem the solar industry faces is not the labor cost but the irrationality of electricians doing roofing and flashing work they are not trained for. We will be trying to work this out through the courts and legislature.

  2. Pingback: klinik tht jakarta

  3. Pingback: klinik andrologi

Leave a Reply