Dow Chemical Pushes Solar Shingles

Dow Chemical plans to push its game-changing “solar shingle” technology, which installs on roofs like ordinary shingles but can generate electricity from sunlight, into commercial markets in 2011, which will bring the largest U.S. chemical manufacturer into an entirely new and lucrative market.

Dow’s “solar shingles” wrap copper indium gallium diselenide solar (CIGS) modules—made by Global Solar Energy, Inc.— in a proprietary Dow plastic. CIGS cells typically are more efficient at turning sunlight into electricity than traditional polysilicon cells. Presuming homeowners can leverage a 30 percent federal tax solar rebate and local and state rebates, Dow’s product has the potential to be installed on an average home for an estimated cost of $6,000 and could supply about half of the average homeowner’s electrical power. Dow is expecting to generate an estimated $1 billion in revenue by 2015 in a roughly $5 billion market, according to statements made by Dow executives during an interview with Reuters.

Energy Conversion Devices has also developed several ”solar shingle” products available in the market. In addition, Ascent Solar Technologies has also pioneered flexible solar panels that can be used in tents and wrapped around poles to provide power in various off-grid scenarios. Dow received a $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop these shingles. The U.S. military is also exploring similar solar-powered tent-applications called Power Shade, TEMPER Fly and QUADrant. Additional applications may include solar-powered back packs.

SOURCE