Residential Solar Shingles - Practical and Aesthetically Pleasing

A new technology is allowing residences to install solar power systems without the use of the big solar panels. Residences can benefit from the use of solar power without have the big solar panels on their roof or taking room on their property in the form of a solar field. Residential solar shingles are the size of regular asphalt roof shingles.

The chemical process involved in the generation of electricity is the same as with solar panels. The residential solar shingles are made of thin film amorphous silicone which, when exposed to sunlight, reacts chemically and generates DC electrical current. The shingles, which are deep blue-purple in color, are interspersed among the asphalt shingles on the roof.

The proper number of solar shingles must be installed to generate the required amount of power. The installer drills small holes in the roof to draw the wiring through for each solar shingle. The wires for the different shingles are then connected to a combiner box which is located under the roof. Then the power is connected to the rest of the equipment and used to power the energy needs of the house. An inverter is required to convert the DC power into AC current to make it appropriate for use with electrical appliances.

The energy may be stored in batteries or the house may be connected to the power grid. If too much electricity is generated, the excess is transferred to the power grid. The purpose of the batteries is to store the energy generated during sunlight hours so it is available in non-sunlight hours.

The residential solar shingles are flexible and durable. They can withstand winds of up to 80 mph. They are weather resistant due to their construction. Since they are a relatively new product, they tend to be rather expensive at present. The residential solar shingle is available from online and land-based sources like Sun Power and Solar Components Corporation