Dow Chemical launches new solar shingle

[The Straight Story]

Dow Chemical launches new solar shingle

* Product launch in 2010, wider roll-out in 2011

* Latest advance in building-integrated solar power

* Shares up 4.8 percent

NEW YORK, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Dow Chemical Co (DOW.N) said on Monday it would begin selling a new rooftop shingle next year that converts sunlight into electricity, expanding the chemical giant's business in alternative energy.

The new solar shingles can be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingles, Dow said, and will be introduced in 2010 before a wider roll-out in 2011.

The shingle will use thin-film cells of copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), a photovoltaic material that typically is more efficient at turning sunlight into electricity than traditional polysilicon cells.

The company did not disclose the efficiency of the cells, or the estimated costs of the new shingles.

Dow Solar Solutions said it expects "an enthusiastic response" from roofing contractors for the new shingles, since they require no specialized skills or knowledge of solar systems to install.

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSN0536825520091005

[Craftsman]

1. I would be very interested in this in a very years once the tech gets

established and he cost comes down.

[csziggy]

2. I considered an older version of solar shingles when we were building

But opted to build a tighter envelope rather than invest in solar just yet, plus I preferred a metal roof rather than a shingle one - a decision for longevity and use of recyclable materials. Our utility bills on this larger house are lower than on our old house, so that is already paying off.

[Craftsman]

3. My HOA (Affectionately call the House Nazis)

Won't let me do a metal roof, I would love one if I could.

[csziggy]

7. Only one reason I won't live with an HOA

We have a farm, no deed restrictions, just an environmentally sensitive wetlands in the back thirty acres. Which is fine with us, since we've preserved that wetlands in the condition it was when we bought this place in 1978.

So no one can tell us what to do, other than the government.

I love our metal roof - it makes this look like an old farm house, which is what I was aiming for. And galvanized steel is very efficient - it reflects a lot of heat and radiates extra heat at night. We built ICF (insulated concrete form) but used Hardie lap siding so the house does not look high tech.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. In CA, the HOAs can not stop solar arrays

[Vinnie From Indy]

4. I find one part very curious

"Dow Solar Solutions said it expects "an enthusiastic response" from roofing contractors for the new shingles, since they require no specialized skills or knowledge of solar systems to install."

Well, somebody is gonna have to connect something somewhere. Is this an "active" or "passive" system.

[Barack_America]

6. Looks like both roofers and electricians would be required.

Officials say they haven’t determined a price for the shingles. They say installation is simple enough that roofing contractors have the necessary skills to place the black panels atop homes while electricians can set up the energy converters inside.

http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-michigan/index.ssf/2009/10/midlands_dow_chemical_unveils.html

[csziggy]

8. Here is a blog of a guy who installed his own solar shingles a few years ago

I found this while we were planning our house. The link will take you to the most recent message of his blog - go to the links on the side to read it in the correct order. The last message does show the figures on how much solar power he is getting - though he has not been able to hook to the grid as of that message.

Bob's Solar Project: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bgoodsel/solar/blog.htm

What is nice is that the appearance of the roof is not changed much:

[Barack_America]

9. Looks great! WTG Bob!

I'm geeking out on the excel charts, btw.

:thumbsup:

[csziggy]

12. If I had been 20 years younger and capable of crawling around in an attic, I might have tried it

But one of the reasons to build this new house was that I was getting closer to needing a wheelchair accessible home. Four days after signing the contract to build, I had my second knee operation. I haven't had knee replacement yet, but it is inevitable according to my orthopedic surgeon.

But the actual installation does not seem to be that difficult, just strenuous.

If you look at the URL, I think Bob is on the faculty at University of Michigan.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. There is some subtley and knowledge needed to install solar well

I an not sure your average hammer swinger would have it.

[Barack_America]

5. To be produced in Midland, MI

http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-michigan/index.ssf/2009/10/midlands_dow_chemical_unveils.html

[AngryAmish]

10. Question: Wouldn't that be a lot of wire on the roof?

I guess I have a lot of questions about home solar. First, what is the power quality in the sense of power surges and drops (which fry electronics)? Do you just pump the roof power back into the grid and pull clean power out?

Fire hazard?

I hope this works - I am skeptical for now, tho.

[csziggy]

11. Check my message about the blog of a guy who has done it

He's got very good pictures, specifics on his set up and charts of the power production.