Roofing gone green…solar shingles

Solar shingles are originally a development from the Dow Company (originally Dow Chemical Company) in 2005 although since then other companies have come out with versions of the same idea. But any way you consider solar shingles, they’re a great idea and one which has truly redefined the concept of ‘the roof’. “Solar shingles” is the name most commonly used for these devices but they are also referred to as ‘thin film cells’ or ‘building integrated photovoltaics’ (BIPV’s). They are not to be confused with “solar panels”. Solar panels are an earlier development even though they also can be and still are used ‘on the roof’. In fact, in some instances solar panels might be preferable to solar shingles. It depends on several factors one of which is the angle of the roof to the sun. Solar panels can be angled whereas solar shingles obviously cannot. Continue reading →