Solar energy in the form of solar roof panels is becoming more and more popular. As the industry grows, it also runs into interesting challenges and continues to make improvements to products and services.
For example, the installation of solar panels on low-slope roofing has always required some kind of mounting including roof penetrations or heavy ballast. Manufacturer Solarion has created a solar module that can be laminated onto a piece of roofing membrane, thereby avoiding the necessity for roofing penetrations or ballasting.
Read more
Here’s another example. About five years ago, Dow created photovoltaic shingles that actually were the roof, rather than installed on top. However, they’ve stopped manufacturing them because they aren’t as efficient as generating energy. In addition, builders weren’t sure if it was a good thing to integrate an expensive solar system into a cheap roof. Does it make more sense for the PV system to be independent, so that the roof can be replaced without affecting the solar collectors?
Read more
Other companies are trying to make it easier for homeowners to decide if solar is an effective solution for them. For a lot of people, the question of whether or not to install solar energy can be extremely confusing. That’s why Modernize, the online company that connects homeowners with contractors specializing in energy efficient home improvements has launched a new FREE product called ModSun (https://modernize.com/solar/panel-cost-calculator). This new product provides homeowners with a 3D visual of their roof’s solar energy potential. It also offers a cost assessment for offsetting up to 100 percent of the home’s electricity use. This allows homeowners to decide if installation of solar panels is practical and cost effective.
Read more
Renewable energy tax credits are still available for homeowners interested in installing solar power. For more details, visit the website at www.energy.gov. http://energy.gov/savings/residential-renewable-energy-tax-credit
