Solar shingles

Solar shingles (or photovoltaic shingles) are photovoltaic cells designed to look like conventional asphalt shingles. There are several varieties of solar shingles, including shingle-sized solid panels that take the place of a number of conventional shingles in a strip, semi-rigid designs containing several silicon solar cells that are sized more like conventional shingles, and newer systems using various thin film solar cell technologies that match conventional shingles both in size and flexibility. They are manufactured by only a few companies worldwide including SunPower Corporation, Solar Components Corporation, and Atlantis Energy Systems.Fact|date=June 2008

History

The technology has grown considerably since their inception for use for solar water heaters during the 1920s in Florida and California. Recently there has been a surge toward large-scale production of PV systems. In parts of the world with significantly high insolation levels, PV output and their economics are enhanced. PV (Photovoltaic) modules are the primary component of most small-scale solar-electric power generating facilities. Since the turn of the century, there have been major advancements in solar power and their efficiency; this includes the 2005 release of solar shingles.

Description

Solar shingles are photovoltaic cells, capturing sunlight and transforming it into energy. Most Solar Shingles are 12 inches wide (when stacked have 5 inches of exposed area) by 86 inches long and can be stapled directly to the roofing cloth. Different models of shingles that are produced have different mounting requirements. Some can be applied directly onto roofing felt intermixed with regular asphalt shingles while others may need special installation. Roof tiles provide optimal solar cell placement and eliminates shading from upper roof tiles. They also require less roof space and allows for optimal system placement.Fact|date=June 2008

Appearance

Solar-shingled roofs have a deep, dark, purplish-blue color, and therefore look similar to other roofs in most situations. Home-owners may be drawn to solar shingles because of their aesthetic value, allowing the homeowner to utilize solar panels without large panels on their roofs. Unlike other upcoming alternative resources for the home, such as wind turbines or home diesel generators (to reduce transmission costs), they are not obviously solar collectors. [ [http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1205726,00.html Solar Shingles] ] Some manufacturers produce solar shingles made of POLYMATRIX. These shingles integrate well into existing roofs and are even compliant to some countries’ historic preservation rules. [ [http://www.solardachstein.com/en/stepdesign/ Integration of solar shingles into existing roofs] ]

Photovoltaic modules

The most common setup is PV shingles with mono or polycrystalline solar cells directly integrated with regular asphalt shingles. The main design of photovoltaic cells, consist of a large-area, single layer p-n junction diode, which is capable of generating usable electrical energy from light sources with the wavelengths of sunlight. These cells are typically made using a silicon wafer. First generation photovoltaic cells (also known as silicon wafer-based solar cells) are the dominant technology in the commercial production of solar cells, accounting for more than 86% of the solar cell market. The typical power output spans several watts (roof shingles) to about 50 watts (roof tiles with crystalline solar cells).

Energy storage

PV systems connected to the grid can have battery backup systems. PV systems that lack a battery backup are integrally connected with utility power. The system's power output goes straight into the grid; as a result, this type of system usually saves the owner the most money on electric bills.Fact|date=June 2008 The other type of PV systems are those that are equipped with battery backups. In these systems, excess power is used to charge up backup batteries which can provide up to 8 hours of power in the event of a power outage.

As would be expected, these systems require different hardware in order to serve different functions. Non-battery backup units require an inverter which converts the direct current output from the shingles into alternating current that most household appliances use. A meter would also be beneficial to allow one to track the system's performance. On the other hand, battery backup units require an array of additional hardware. This includes batteries, battery enclosures, battery charge controllers, and separate sub panels for critical load circuits.

Cost

Solar shingles are more expensive to install than typical PV panels, but the extra cost is sometimes considered a small price to pay for the aesthetic benefits. Also, the solar shingles offset the cost of traditional shingles for that section of the roof. [ [http://www.dovetailsolar.com/unisol.htm Uni-Solar Roofing PV] ]

Large homebuilders in California like Lennar are partnering with SunPower to offer new construction solar homes that have solar systems installed prior to moving in. Reducing the overhead and using solar roof tile technology makes solar a standard option like granite countertops, making solar an affordable solution to reduce electricity costs. [ [http://www.bigbuilderonline.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=363&articleID=460102 Lennar Goes Solar in Sacramento] ]

See also

*Building-integrated photovoltaics
*Energy development
*Green technology
*Solar energy

References

External links

* [http://www.news.wisc.edu/news/images/Bahr_Jean_solar_roofsm.jpgPhoto showing solar shingles]
* [http://www.uni-solar.com/ United Solar Ovonic]
* [http://www.solardachstein.com/en/faq/ Frequently Asked Questions on solar shingles]