Thin-film solar laminate
BGreene
| Posted in Green Products and Materials on
We’re in the process of designing a home in zone 4A, and leaning towards a metal roof. I’m hoping this question is too open-ended, but I’m wondering what your experiences are with thin-film solar laminates (link below)? From what I’ve been able to find, they seem to be more expensive per watt and not as efficient as tradition PV panels, but they sure look much better! Is it possible to install these after the roof is installed, perhaps once the cost is down and/or efficiency improves? Is the product durable enough to survive its payback period?
http://www.englertinc.com/solar-energy-systems/sunnet-bipv-systems.html
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Replies
Bill,
As prices of crystalline PV modules have dropped, thin-film laminates (which are less efficient, producing less power per square foot) are seen as less and less attractive in comparison to crystalline PV. Why pay more for less?
The leading U.S. producer of thin-film laminates, Uni-Solar, has declared bankruptcy, and it's possible that other manufacturers of thin-film laminates may follow suit.