Back to blog
New solar panel technology
I recently read an interesting article in the NY Times about an emerging new technology, called building-integrated photovoltaics. The current, conventional way to install solar panels is through bulky panels added to roofs or mounted on the ground.
Now, however, there are some US companies that are offering less conspicuous designs, in the form of shingles, tiles, etc, which have photovoltaic cells sealed within them. The solar cells are thus part of the actual building, versus being an “add-on.”
This market is in its very early stages, and many energy consulting firms estimate that government subsidies would need to be in place to speed adoption of building-integrated photovoltaics in the US. In Europe, where they do have government subsidies for this technology in place, building-integrated photovoltaics make up 3-4% of the solar market.