I am one for efficiency and cost-effective ways to develop a greener lifestyle. I heard about thin-film photovoltaic (PV) cells having a dual purpose as roof shingles and as solar shingles. What a perfect way to get greener while being efficient at the same time. The thin-film PV cells are now considered new building material.
Photovoltaics generate no pollution or noise, and they require no fuel (other than the sun) to operate them. As long as the sun shines, the thin-film PV cells are endlessly renewable while saving homeowners up to 60% on monthly energy costs.
I research some home building websites that promote thin-film PV cells as roof shingles. It is obvious that if you have roof shingles, who should have solar shingles. Based on the idea that your home is in a sunny spot free of shading on the roof, and the solar shingles are mounted in a south-facing location. But if the southern setting is not accessible, west- or east-facing situations supply better than 90% of the power of a true south-facing arrangement.
A small home, which I own, you need a 10 X 12 area of solar shingles on the roof. A larger home may require as much as 1,000 square feet. The shingles are attractive too.
One more perk to look into is special financing options and incentives to help make up for the cost of adding the solar shingles to your home for electricity.
I hope to see this concept being applied to every home in the future. It makes so much green sense.