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Solar Panels are a great way to save money and save the environment. A huge problem to having this idea of solar panels sent to the public is that they are expensive and in some cases ugly or do not fit in to the traditional home. This idea of shingles might ease the situation...
Summary:
In a nutshell, a company named Dow Solar, created solar panel shingles. The idea of solar panels has become a new revolutionary idea, that will help us through this energy crisis. Recently, this idea of solar panel shingles has become accessible to the masses. These solar panel shingles look remarkable similar to traditional roofing shingles. This should make the idea more attractive to home owners. They can even completely replace your own roofing shingles while creating clean electricity for the entire home. The shingles use ultra thin-film solar cells that are more durable then conventional silicon cells. This project has been used mainly in Colorado but by the end of the year, it will most likely spread to all over the U.S. The shingles are 10% efficient, but if you cover your entire roof, you can save a lot of money. The shingles are even known to make the houses cooler from incoming sunlight making you save even more money. They are in partnership wish major housing company D.R. Horton.
Opinion/Reflection:
I really like this idea. We all know that one day fossil fuels can not, and will not be usable anymore. Not only that but over hundreds of years we have devastated the natural world. The problem with environmentally green energy solutions that they are not practical to the public. Hopefully, this idea will make it more attractive for home owners to use solar panels. I think they look great on your house and make your electric bill look great too.
Questions:
1. Is this idea too expensive for the average home owner?
2. Why do we have to use environmental friendly energy sources?
3. Do you think this a good idea or a bad idea? Energy and money wise.
Opinion/Reflection: I love the idea of using these solar panel shingles. I think that can really boost our energy efficiency rate in the U.S. As stated in the summary, these panels will be more attractive to homeowners, and could make their house look even better. This is a great idea. Everyone wants their house to be energy, efficient, but nobody wants their house to look bad. This is just the solution. However, there is one problem. Solar panels usually cost a lot of money, and that, in itself, is unattractive to any homeowners. The cost of any product is huge in the consumer’s decision on whether or not to buy it. This is the problem in my family. I have always wanted to get solar panels on our roof, but my parents have always told me that they cost too much. I would argue that they will save us money in the long run, but they would always say that we couldn’t afford it at the time. If only we could come up with a energy efficient solar panel that any home owner can easily afford.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to Question #3: I think that overall this is a great idea. I have always been “green” and am always looking for different ways to help the environment. This will use less fossil fuels and we in turn won’t destroy the beautiful environment around us. Although, this is a great energy saver, it costs a lot of money to have solar panel shingles installed. This is the only problem that I can see. Otherwise, this is another great invention.
Opinion/Reflection: This is a pretty neat idea... I know many families who think that having solar panels on their roofs are a good idea but they look so bulky and ugly. Not a lot of people pay attention to shingles, I didn't even know what they were till 5th grade! They may be a little expensive but you would eventually earn all the money back from saving it in your electricity bill. But if you lived in places where it was dark about 300 days of the year like Seattle, then the money gain would be questionable....My only problem with solar panels or shingles is that they are extremely hard to dispose of! That they fill up landfills and it is almost impossible to get rid of them in a way that will benefit or at least not hurt the environment.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to question 1: I think it would be too expensive at first, but the home owner may own all of the money spent back and eventually benefit from the decision.
Opinion/Reflection:
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a very good and an interesting idea. I never thought that people would even think of incooperating solar panels as shingles on the roofs of homes. When I go to New Jersey, I have noticed that a decent number of home have actual solar panels and they are very big and draw alot of attention to the roof of your home. If people use the shingle panels instead, the can still benefit with money and energy and their house will stiill look nice. I think that they are an expensive item to invest in getting, but if you give yourself a budget schedule, I am sure that you will benefit from this decision!
Answer to Question 1: I don't think that getting the shingles will be too expensive for the average home owner. I mean it will be at first since they are very expensive to install, but over time you will earn the money back. It will also help save money on your electricity bill alot. I think that it isn't too expensive for the average home owner!
Opinion/Reflection: This is a great idea! These solar panels look great on your house, save you money, and help the environment. It's just a great idea! They may be a bit expensive, but in my opinion it will be worth it. These shingles make houses look so much better. I know some people who have solar panels on their roof and you can't miss them! They are big and bulky. These new shingles are not as noticeable. The only other problem about these panels is the cost. They need to find a way to make these panels less, so more people will buy them, but if you think about it you could save all the money up again by saving money on your electric bill. We are saving the environment little by little! I think these shingles are going to become popular all over the world!
ReplyDeleteAnswer to Question 1: In my opinion, I don't think it is too expensive for the average homeowner. A lot of houses I see have solar panels, and I bet a lot more people will buy these shingles. Also, you will eventually gain all your money back because your electric bill is going to be a lot less. They are worth it and not too expensive!