Building integrated photovoltaics allow use of solar energy without solar panels

Have you dreamed about solar energy to power your home?  Do you want to start generating free solar power and enjoy reduced electricity bills?  Those large solar panels that are becoming commonplace on rooftops are not your only option.  You can indeed have home solar energy without solar panels.

That’s right.  Building-integrated photovoltaics is the fancy term for solar roof shingles or solar roof tiles.  As described by Alfonso Velosa III, co-author of a coming report on the market for the new field, in a recent interview for the New York Times:

“The new materials are part of the building itself, not an addition, and they are taking photovoltaics to the next level — an aesthetic one.”

Whether you are considering solar panels or solar shingles, the process of converting light to energy is the same:

Solar roof tiles can blend into any type of roofing surface/materials

As a land use attorney, my hope is that building codes will soon be revised to require – or at least give a preference to – new construction to include either solar panels or solar roof shingles.  Perhaps the Uniform Building Code Council will take the lead?

But I digress….

No matter what style of roofing you have, you can find solar tiles/shingles in colors and shapes that blend in.  From rosy-hued terra cotta tiles to salty, wind-worn gray shingles on oceanside cottages, solar shingles become part of the roofing materials, rather than an obtrusive addition.  With federal and state incentives offered for renewable energy improvements, plus the added value your property will enjoy ($20 for every $1 annually saved on energy bills), this is a perfect time to invest.

According to the New York Times:

SRS Energy of Philadelphia is making curved solar roofing tiles designed to blend in with Southern California’s traditional clay tiles, said Martin R. Low, the chief executive of SRS. A solar tile system that met half the power needs of a typical California home would cost roughly $20,000 to install after rebates, he estimated, or about 10 to 20 percent more than solar panels providing comparable power.

The building integrated photovoltaics market is not entirely new, or untested.  In European countries including Germany and France, the market is quickly growing due to subsidies and programs that pay people for generating solar electricity ad feeding it back into the grid.  On the “other side of the pond,” homeowners can recoup investments in 5-7 years, compared to the 10-20 years it may take here in the U.S.

I do believe the United States will catch on.  Demand will fuel the market here, and we do not expect solar subsidies or tax incentives to disappear anytime soon.  In fact, when solar looks this good, we could even see new programs to help further defray the costs and encourage a conversion to solar power.

Where to buy solar panels (image from clownfish on Flickr)

If you want to convert to solar energy, you have to know where to buy solar panels.  Fortunately, there are so many more options than there were just 10 years ago.  You can buy solar panels at a hardware store, through a distributor, or even find used solar panels at a great discount!  Finding solar panels for sale is so much easier these days.  Once you install them, you can start enjoying free solar power right away.

As we observed in a related post:

“Did you know that solar panels are for sale at many local hardware stores?  That’s right – you don’t necessarily need to shop online, nor do you need to find a specialty solar panel store.  Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Costco and many other chain stores now carry solar panels.  They also have relatively inexpensive (or free) assistance to help you select your PV system and perhaps even install it.  Some outfits even assist with tax rebate/incentive paperwork.”

Learn who sells solar panels

With government programs and tax incentives offered, more and more people are investing in solar panels for their homes.  Once you know who sells solar panels, you can compare costs and determine what system is best for your property.   When you choose a retailer carefully, they can help you get through the paperwork for potential financing options, as well as qualifying for government loan programs, and/or tax rebates.

Of course, some people don’t want to go through the hassle of buying solar panels at a retailer or online.  For them, a do-it-yourself (DIY) solar panel kit is the answer.  These often can help offset, but not entirely replace, “traditional” electricity.  Solar panel kits are also convenient for RVs and boats.

Finally, you can join a group of other property owners who are also considering going solar.  By doing this, you can negotiate a group discount for solar panels, which can be done through businesses like One Block Off the Grid.

In short, its easy to find out where to buy solar panels.  The bigger questions will be, what can you afford, what type of system do you want, and what are your overall goals for going solar?

Good luck!

Solar panels worth the investment, especially for cities

Many people have asked: are solar panels worth the investment?  Well, you might guess my opinion as the author and editor of this blog.  But what about people that are “on the fence?”  Should you buy solar panels?  Why or why not?

Solar energy is one of the fastest (if not the fastest) growing renewable energy industry in the world.  Solar power can provide clean, free electricity and also clean, free hot water.  From solar-powered flashlights to solar phone chargers, photovoltaic and thermal panels are showing up everywhere.

Is it time to part with the green in your wallet to go green?

Consider the following video that postulates that solar is the new oil for transportation:

Despite the fact that solar panels will pay for themselves in a few years through energy savings and increased property values, you can also save money through federal and state tax credits/rebates.  Even some power companies themselves now offer incentives to people that wish to install rooftop solar panels.

Install solar panels

For example, I read that Duke Energy wants to rent rooftops for solar panel installation. Do you have some empty space to lease out?  The corporation will maintain the panels and take care of all the “dirty” clean energy work.  I think its safe to say that we can look for other companies to follow Duke’s lead.

But if you are more of a DIY kind of person, or perhaps don’t want to jump through corporate hoops, consider hiring a college-aged person to help you install solar panels.  Its not too difficult, and with a bit of training and/or experience, you can get assistance in putting up your new renewable energy system in a matter of days, if not hours.

Are solar panels worth the investment?  Only you can decide.  But with electric utilities across the nation raising their rates, wouldn’t it be nice to be locked in to free solar power for the rest of your life?