"Solar energy to the masses"
By Dan Armstrong
Monday, October 05, 2009 at 2:22 p.m.
Read more: Local, Economy, Business, Dow, Chemical, Solar, Panel, Shingle
The next time you replace your roof, you may also be powering your home.
Midland-based Dow Chemical is announcing the latest in energy independence, the Powerhouse Solar Shingle.
Gone are the days of clunky solar panels taking up space on a roof.
Powerhouse Solar Panels are incorporated into roofing shingles.
Roofers install the solar shingles just like regular asphalt shingles. They are supposed to be out in 2010 and readily available in 2011.
Dow Chemical says, it's the first affordable, neighborhood-friendly solar shingle.
With it, the company says, it'll create jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Dow CEO Andrew Liveris says, "Michigan does have manufacturing capability, and Michigan, especially Dow, has research capability. So I'm very keen to work with Lansing and for that matter, Washington, to keep bringing jobs here."
Governor Jennifer Granholm says, "What a great opportunity for us as a state to be really a leader in solar power. Who would have thought it? We're a cloudy state, but we have phenomenal universities and organizations that are really pushing us forward."
Dow is touting the solar shingles as roof protection with energy generation, and a way to power your home with your home.
The cost for the solar shingles is still not known and would vary from state to state.
Right now, the system is set up to transfer excess power back to your local utility company, but it can be set up to power batteries for use later.
