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