Dow Solar, a division of Dow Chemical announces their Powerhouse Solar Shingles will be sold in Central Texas and Northern California. Select roofing companies in these areas will be the first markets to receive the solar shingles. Previously the shingles were only available in Colorado.
The Solar Shingles are certified as both a solar and a roofing product. The roof shingles offer protection from the elements and also generates energy to offset energy costs. The shingles can be installed by a roofer along with the regular roofing materials.
The shingles are custom designed, and include an inverter that converts DC (Direct Current) into AC (Alternating Current) to power the home. The cells of the shingles are a flat laying thin film material that have about a 12% efficiency rate.
Safety and Perfomance
The roof solar system delivers real time production and consumption readouts from any internet connection. Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles received 7 performance and safety certifications and is proven to withstand rain hail and wind uplift.
Dow spokesman Kate Nigro said the Powerhouse Solar Shingles cost 2-3 times more than standard roof shingles. The shingles are made in USA with a 20 year warranty. Dow hopes to sell the shingles in a dozen states by the end of 2012.
