June 7, 2005
Photo: Sharp Solar
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June 7, 2005 Photo: Sharp Solar |
Rather than mounting separate solar panels on a rack on top of a roof, BIPV shingle designs interlock with roof tiles and shingles to provide an aesthetic, seamless look.
San Francisco, California [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Increasing consumer interest in roof-integrated solar tiles and the possibility that California's groundbreaking Million Solar Roofs Initiative might pass later this summer are two key reasons why some of the solar industry's biggest players were sure to be at last week's Pacific Coast Builders Conference showing off their wares in the Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) market.
Many consumers and solar advocates could care less about whether their solar
PV systems stand out. In fact, many might prefer it. But for those consumers who
opt for a subtle look -- and that could be a major new market -- there are solar
BIPV roof tiles. Rather than mounting separate solar panels on a rack on top of
a roof, BIPV shingle designs interlock with roof tiles and shingles to provide
an aesthetic, seamless look.
General Electric, PowerLight, and Sharp were all displaying their versions of
solar roof tiles at PCBC.
PowerLight's, however, was perhaps most noteworthy as their new SunTile product
signaled their official entry into the residential solar PV market. Both GE and
Sharp have had BIPV solar roof tiles and a focus on the residential market for
some time. PowerLight, on the other hand, has made a strong name for themselves
by spearheading large, double- and triple-digit kW projects predominantly in
California but elsewhere in the U.S. and now abroad. The company has since been
pushing into multi-MW projects with 3.1 MW project underway in Las Vegas,
Nevada, and a giant 10 MW project in Bavaria, Germany.
Through their solar tile offering, the residential market reflects a new avenue
for the company. Sunnyvale, California-based SunPower Corporation will provide
the solar PV for PowerLight's tile systems and energy solutions provider, ConSol,
will work with PowerLight to target the company's solar tiles through the
state's Zero Energy New Homes (ZENH) initiative.
GE Energy, paraded their solar tiles as a key part of the company's new campaign
dubbed "Ecomagination." The initiative is aimed to aggressively bring
to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental
challenges. Under ecomagination, GE will invest $1.5 billion annually in
research in cleaner technologies by 2010, up from $700 million in 2004. GE's
wind power division is also expected to play a major role in this initiative.
The company's roof-integrated tile modules won second place in the 4th annual
"Cool Products Competition" at PCBC 2005 after results were tallied
from 5,000 randomly selected PCBC attendees who judged the more than 125
entries. In addition to their solar tiles, the company revealed a new inverter,
and new colors and design variations for its roof integrated solar tiles and
modules.
Also on display was Sharp Electronics, the veteran in the solar PV industry of
the three. Sharp's U.S. representatives were on hand to announce their new
ND-60RU1 60-watt solar roof tile modules. These flat-panel roof modules are
designed for new construction or refurbished roofs and offer the same seamless,
aesthetic look as GE and PowerLight.
Sharp's new solar modules lay flat on the rooftop, interlocking smoothly with
standard roof tiles for a smooth look. They are compatible with most shapes and
sizes of roof tiles used in new residential construction, with one module
replacing five standard concrete tiles. The modules are quick to install,
screwing directly onto the existing roof battens so that no additional framing
materials or roof penetrations are required. Like concrete tiles, they can be
replaced individually without removing surrounding roofing material.
Solar PV roof tiles, like the offerings from all three companies, are currently
only a small niche of the solar PV industry. But it's a growing market that's
sure to be characterized by more competition and more companies hoping to tap
into this growing field.
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