New Generation Of Best Solar Panels For Rooftops
Posted by admin on Oct 6, 2009
The Dow Chemical Company unveiled their new revolutionary photovoltaic solar panels yesterday (05 October 2009).
Dow’s PowerhouseTM product line provides solar shingles that can be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingle materials. These new best solar panels for rooftops use low-cost thin-film CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium (Di-)Selenide) solar cells.
Thin-Film solar panels are certainly not the best solar panels in respect of efficiency. They reach an efficiency of 20% in the laboratory and 10% – 12% in photovoltaic modules. For comparison: The most efficient best solar panels, using GaAs (Gallium Arsenide) solar cells reach more than 40% efficiency. The second best solar panels in respect of efficiency use Monocrystalline Silicon solar cells (c-Si) and achieve circa 20%.
The Dow Chemical Company has not yet reported, what degree of efficiency their new solar shingels will obtain. But even with rather low conversion rates, Dow’s solar shingles are a very interesting alternative to rigid roof installed solar panels out of these 5 Reasons:
1. CIGS-Thin-Film solar panels are cheaper than silicon and GaAs solar panels. Yet today they are the best solar panels in respect of sales numbers worldwide.
2. Dow’s Powerhouse solar shingles do not need any mounting systems and thus reduce installation costs.
3. Conventional roofing shingles and electric solar panels shingles are installed simultaneously by roofing contractors.
4. The solar shingles can be installed by DIY homeowners, since not specialized skills or knowledge of solar panels installations are required.
5. Single shingles may be replaced easily if damaged.
The best solar panels, which are not really “panels” anymore “are expected to be available in limited quantities by mid-2010 and projected to be more widely available in 2011″. For more information visit Dow Chemical’s website here: Dow PowerhouseTM solar shingles.
P.S.:
If you like this article “New Generation Of Best Solar Panels For Rooftops”, please leave a comment. Thank you.
I have enjoyed your blog, thank you,
I have been reading a lot about installing solar panels for years and enjoy discovering new ideas about information I have not seen before. Advantages of such systems as solar panels for your home will become essential and it is hard to see a better way to go. I have visited a lot of websites and blogs but I still managed to find interesting things on this blog. Thanks, keep up the good work
I just wanted to extend my gratitude very much for this interesting article. I just made a favorite of your blog, when I’m not so busy I am going to have to do some deeper browsing of your website. Well back to searching for green tea health benefits
Now the sun is a bit lower in the sky my solar hot water panels don’t get hot enough quick enough . Two options to increase the temperature are. 1. A reflector to concentrate the heat from a couple of square metres down to a small heating coil.
Easily, the article is totally the greatest on this notable topic. I harmonise with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your next updates. Saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the wonderful originality in your writing. I will immediately grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. Admirable work and much success in your business dealings!
Hi there I like your post
Wow the article is totally the greatest on this notable topic. I harmonise with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your next updates. Advantages of such systems as solar panels for your home will become essential and it is hard to see a better way to go. Than you.
If I were to start a blog I hope I’d be able to provide a post half as enlightened and insightful as this one. Keep it up!