Oct 12 2009
TOPIC:
The New York Times has reported that a new generation of building materials with photovoltaic cells sealed within them has made it possible for homeowners to harness solar power without having to install bulky panels.
Companies are creating such materials as solar tiles and shingles that fit in with various styles of roofing, and these have already been installed in several demonstration sites around the United States.
“The new materials are part of the building itself, not an addition, and they are taking photovoltaics to the next level — an aesthetic one,” said Alfonso Velosa III, a research director at Gartner and co-author of a coming report on the market for the new field, called building-integrated photovoltaics.
Because the best time to install the photovoltaics is during building construction, recovery of the real estate and construction markets will influence the rate of adoption. But, said Mr. Velosa, “we are seeing that the construction industry has realized that energy-efficient buildings are an opportunity for growth.” Frost & Sullivan's Akhil Sivanandan also noted that government subsidies, such as those already provided in Europe, could help the market grow more quickly.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/business/27novel.html?_r=1