| Form fits function. That is an all too common law of | | | | come down. It may still cost you to acquire solar |
| nature. For instance, some tropical flowers have deep | | | | shingles. But the initial cost would be surely worthwhile |
| blossoms that hold nectar which are reserved for birds | | | | since you will enjoy the benefit of getting free |
| with long, thin beaks and long tongues. The structure of | | | | electricity for years to come. |
| such flowers serves not only to feed the birds, but | | | | If you feel that you will have no extra money to cover |
| also to lure the birds to spread pollen grains that come | | | | the expenses of purchasing and installing a solar roof, |
| with nectar and help themselves pollinate. | | | | then you do not need to worry too much: the federal |
| Lately, engineers and architects have applied this | | | | government provides a $2,000 tax deduction for |
| biological dictum to produce innovative and beneficial | | | | homeowners to put PV device on their houses, such |
| products. One of the most promising of these is solar | | | | as these shingles. Some states and local jurisdictions |
| roof shingles. | | | | offer their own additional incentives. |
| What are Solar Roof Shingles? | | | | Aesthetically Superior: |
| Solar roof shingles are made of the same materials | | | | Most homeowners do not want to install devices in |
| used to make solar panels. Solar shingles are | | | | their homes that will provide alternative sources of |
| photovoltaic cells that are designed to take advantage | | | | energy, like wind turbines. The most common complaint |
| of photovoltaic effect to capture energy from sunlight | | | | is that the aesthetic value of the house diminishes with |
| to generate electricity for general power consumption. | | | | installation of turbines, solar panels, and other such |
| Solar roof shingles are a relatively new product. The | | | | devices that would provide alternative energy. But |
| first solar shingles were released back in 2005. The | | | | things have changed. Construction and design of solar |
| first wave of solar roofing shingles resembles much of | | | | roofing shingles have tremendously improved. |
| their solar panel cousins in terms of appearance and | | | | Nowadays, these shingles are available in various |
| cost. However, much has changed since the first solar | | | | visually appealing colors and designs that would |
| shingles came on the market. | | | | definitely enhance a house's elegance. |
| Energy collected by solar roof shingles can be used to | | | | Dependable Protection: |
| generate power both to the home and to the utility's | | | | Solar roofing shingles are not made from fragile |
| power grid. The majority of current homeowners with | | | | material and are designed to withstand the elements. |
| these shingles prefer systems with grid-connection, | | | | Pound for pound, it can provide the same dependable |
| which enables excess electricity produced by the solar | | | | protection that you can get from asphalt shingles. Solar |
| shingles to be fed back into the grid. When the need | | | | shingles also have the same durability as asphalt |
| comes, electricity from the grid can be supplied. With | | | | shingles. |
| this set up, you can avoid installing expensive storage | | | | Solar roof shingles is definitely a blessing because it |
| devices like batteries. | | | | can provide low cost energy, enhanced exterior and |
| Advantages of Getting Solar Roof Shingles | | | | dependable protection from the elements. And the |
| Long-term Cost-Effective Source of Clean Energy: | | | | best thing is that you will also help ease the burden |
| With the development of thin-film photovoltaic cell | | | | that the environment takes from heavy use of |
| technology, cost of solar shingles has dramatically | | | | non-renewable energy if you get solar shingles. |