Green Me Now

As with computers, it’s becoming difficult to gauge when to make your move on solar energy system purchases.

Solar panels in the form of shingles that can be integrated into rooftops have been unveiled by Dow Chemical, with limited availability beginning in mid-2010. The technology integrates low-cost, thin-film photovoltaic cells into a proprietary roofing shingle design. The combo yields a “multi-functional solar energy generating roofing product,” according to an announcement.

Further, the product is expected to lower solar installation costs: Roofers will be able to install conventional roofing shingles and solar generating shingles at the same time, and no specialized skills or knowledge of solar array installations are required, the company says.

But the limited choices on the market today (see “Roofing Conceals Solar Technology,”) aren't as efficient at converting sunlight into electricity as conventional solar panels. Dow has yet to disclose either pricing or performance data for its solar shingles. Solar shingles are generally expected to be less efficient than solar panels.

Dow Solar Solutions says it expects to market limited quantities of the shingles in mid 2010 through as yet unnamed select builder and channel partners. Wider availability is expected in 2011. Bloomberg, quoting a Dow research director, reports that Pulte Homes, Lennar Corp., and other partners in a Department of Energy program aimed at developing new solar products will be among the early recipients.

The solar shingle announcement follows the formation of Dow’s Solar Solutions business unit. In 2007, Dow received $20 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop building-integrated solar arrays for the residential and commercial markets.