Solar panels getting a sleek new makeover
Solar energy developers are finding ways to make solar panels blend in with their surroundings for improved aesthetic appeal.
Photo: SRS Energy
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Solar panels getting a sleek new makeoverSolar energy developers are finding ways to make solar panels blend in with their surroundings for improved aesthetic appeal.By Stephanie RogersThu, Jun 25 2009 at 1:59 PM EST
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Photo: SRS Energy The next generation of solar panels will bear little resemblance to their predecessors, at least on the outside. Companies like SRS Energy, Kyocera and Suntech Power are working with building suppliers on alternatives to clunky solar panels that will satisfy the demands of picky property owners, creating products like solar roofing tiles that blend in with the traditional clay versions found on many Southern California homes.
Aesthetics have long been a complaint of homeowners who were interested in switching to renewable power, but were unhappy with the looks of conventional solar panels. Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are solar installations that also serve as functional building materials including roofing, shading systems and window glazing. Today’s versions still stand out, but advancing technology like thin-film copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) could offer nearly invisible solar coverage.
BIPV is still in its very early stages and remains a small percentage of the solar energy market, but there’s a good chance that increased demand for cheaper energy in the coming years will bring this technology into high end communities around the world.
Lawrence Gasman, principal analyst at market research firm NanoMarkets, believes that BIPV will take off when construction picks back up again and people come face-to-face with rising energy costs.
"When the numbers really begin to add up, it pushes people to be innovative," he says. "The sun will never start charging for its service."
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Related Topics: Green Building, Solar Power
Comments
bryan
07/02/2011 18:17 PM
Only joking people we actually use re-chargables for remotes as they last for years,turn all switchs off all the time not just at night also we limit the amount of time the shower switch is on for hot-water you have to now a days as we are on PAYG meters and pay higher rates than everone else.
bryan
07/02/2011 18:13 PM
we use as muck lecky as possible as its all going to run out so soon....woop-woop
dang!jo
06/25/2011 02:54 AM
If we are to survive we must lessen our ego, our material desires. Technology is a useful tool in itself. More important is creative minds. Wake up n' live simply. Work together to the new global heart.
Anony
06/18/2011 23:11 PM
The sad truth is that the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. For any new technology to become widespread, it must be priced at an affordable level. I have a good job with a good wage and I can't really afford to convert to solar power completely, it's just not cost effective. My biggest environmental goal is to get my daughter to stop taking hour long showers. Once that's achieved, I'll work on finding new energy sources past just turning out the lights
Thomas - ElectricCar
03/05/2011 03:58 AM
I like those konventional solar panels, however e.g. in souther germany a lot of people refuse this technology because of the aesthatic impact. For such people, this technology would be wonderfull.
Nedmorlef
02/27/2011 11:39 AM
I really like this idea because, my house faces south so, the sun passes directly over every sq. inch of my roof. Panels would need the extra expense of moving parts to follow the sun. The problem with solar in america is that, it's ROI is very low for the average home. Most of America's wealth is like any other nation. Only a few have the majority of it.
Brian Digital
01/23/2011 17:56 PM
I've done a lot of reading on all kinds of green energy resources, from RV solar panels, to residential solar panels, to wind turbines, but even I've got to admit that I've never even heard of building-integrated photovoltaic solar panels. This is a genuinely informative blog. Thank you for putting in the time and effort to share this great information about an alternative to the typical residential solar
Dustin Dunn
01/10/2011 07:32 AM
Can you believe that this **** has to be done? Idiots need to too look nice before they use technology that saves the planet... sigh.
ag
07/23/2010 17:45 PM
I think this would be a great idea but right now there is a problem with this picture. with all those roof angles you would shade most a lot of panel during the day. Solar panels are wired in series so if a fraction of the panel is shaded you will cut the power produced significantly. You could get around this problem if you use micro inverters so that you could separate each panel so that it wont effect the rest of the panels I realize that this is just an idea but at the moment its not.... More
niknite
07/05/2010 13:37 PM
My camp is powered You have to only use what you need but it kicks ***!
SHINE
06/26/2009 05:44 AM
I believe a closed Mind is Owned by a Fool !!! Add your commentSign in with one of these accounts or just add your comment below. |
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