The Dow Solar Shingle system consists of 3 main parts:
- Dow Powerhouse solar shingle array
- Inverter
- Monitoring
From the Dow Solar Shingle pamphlet:
Dual functionality
• Protects as a roofing material and provides renewable energy.
Integrated aesthetics
• A custom-designed, building-integrated photovoltaic solution for asphalt-composition shingle roofs that installs flush with asphalt shingles.
Ease of installation
• No on-roof wiring required. Nails directly to the roof deck, just like
traditional asphalt shingles.
Excellence guaranteed
• Manufactured in Michigan and backed by The Dow Chemical Company, these durable shingles withstand sun exposure, extreme temperatures, wind, hail and other inclement weather.
The solar shingle uses flexibe Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide (CIGS) with high transmission tempered glass.
The website shows an example home comparing a traditional asphalt roof to a Dow Powerhouse solar shingle and asphalt shingle roof. For their example, they assume a home based in California with optimal roof orientation and pitch, free from shade. The home is 2,550 sq. ft with a 3,000 sq. foot roof. The energy spend is $250 a month and Dow estimates a 54% energy savings (we can only assume this is an all electric home) The estimated savings are based on 25 years and the added home value is based on a study done by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in April 2011. The results are below:
Traditional Roof:
- $12,000 asphalt singles
- $0 energy savings
Solar Shingle Roof
- $31,000 Dow Powerhouse solar shingles + asphalt shingles (estimated product and install cost)
- $76,200 energy savings (over 25 years)
- $22,000 added home value
The solar shingle is currently only available through authorized dealers, which consists of roofing contractors. You can see the list of contractors on the solar shingle availability page.
