| Solar cell roofing made from solar shingles | | | | gain from the solar panels and either not be |
| or solar panels is being increasingly | | | | connected at all to the electric company or |
| incorporated into the construction of new | | | | connected in a way that is completely |
| residential and commercial buildings. In many | | | | parallel and unrelated. Off grid applications |
| areas, people are choosing to replace their | | | | might be appropriate for houses that are far |
| conventional roof with a solar roof when it | | | | from electric power lines but get enough |
| is time for maintenance. And most of these | | | | sunlight to be completely solar, houses with |
| people would tell you that the long-term | | | | combination systems with other renewable |
| value, or short-term increase is resale | | | | energy systems, or houses in places that get |
| interest, made it worthwhile. | | | | little sun so it would be unlikely that the |
| | | | solar power generated would ever be more than |
| A solar cell roof is called "building | | | | the house requires. On grid systems are |
| integrated", also known by the more complete | | | | hooked in with your conventional electric |
| name "building integrated photovoltaic" | | | | supply, and when the solar power system |
| (BIPV). BIPV suggests that you would have | | | | generates more electricity than you need, it |
| needed that part of the structure built | | | | actually sells it back to the power company. |
| anyway, and you've chosen to use material | | | | Your meter literally spins backwards and you |
| that will also serve the purpose of | | | | can get a zero bill or even a check in the |
| generating power through solar energy. The | | | | mail instead of a bill. |
| first advantage of solar cell shingles or | | | | |
| panels on the roof is obvious: some of the | | | | There is some debate among real estate |
| initial cost is paid by lowering the overall | | | | developers, but the general rule is that any |
| material and labor costs involved in the | | | | renewable energy source for the home pays off |
| construction. The second advantage is that | | | | if it returns your original installation |
| the BIPV does not stand out - it is a normal | | | | investment in ten years or less through |
| and expected part of the design and structure | | | | energy savings. The invention and perfection |
| of the building. These two advantages often | | | | of integrated thin film solar roofs has led |
| make bipv solar roofing the clear choice over | | | | to us rapidly approaching that return, and |
| rooftop wind turbines, raised solar panels, | | | | possibly even outdistancing it depending on |
| and backyard windmills which both stand out | | | | where you live. |
| and cost a lot more to build and install. | | | | |
| | | | There are four things to consider when |
| In some parts of the world, often due to | | | | looking into a solar cell roof: |
| government subsidies, many new houses are | | | | |
| built with solar roofs. Until recently, this | | | | 1. How much sun does your area get each year, |
| was not the case in the U.S., UK, and much of | | | | independent of the outside temperature? |
| Europe because the cost remained prohibitive. | | | | |
| However, with the invention of what is called | | | | 2. Where does your roof face - ideally it |
| "thin film solar technology", solar roofing | | | | would face east/west of it is a slanted roof? |
| tiles, panels and shingles have become easier | | | | |
| to fabricate and work with and are much more | | | | 3. What is the cost now, and projected cost |
| aesthetically pleasing. This technology is | | | | of electricity where you are? |
| best for pitched roofs where shingles or | | | | |
| small tiles are the norm. Large flat roofs, | | | | 4. What is the general attitude of home |
| such as the tops of many commercial | | | | buyers in your area to renewables (especially |
| buildings, can have one giant layer of solar | | | | if you might sell your home within 10 years)? |
| film, or large integrated panels. | | | | |
| | | | If you do choose solar cell roofing for your |
| Solar cell roofs can be hooked up in two ways | | | | home or business you will likely be |
| - on and off the grid. Off the grid solar | | | | pleasantly surprised at the efficiency, cost, |
| power means that you will use the energy you | | | | and savings associated with BIPV. |