House of sun: Professor builds solar-powered home to catch rays

[eppur_se_muova]

Another solar success from tropical Toledo...

http://utnews.utoledo.edu/publish/article_2332.shtml

House of sun: Professor builds solar-powered home to catch rays
By Deanna Woolf

Dec 5, 2005
***
The Uni-Solar photovoltaic shingles
used on Collins' house in Maumee
dispel several myths about solar
panels. First, they are barely
noticeable — gone are the days of
large, bulky solar panel units in one's
yard. "Developers who build with
them like them because they blend
well into the roof of the house,"
Collins said.

Second, they can work even when
there is some close natural shade.
"People ask why we have so many
trees nearby the house," Collins said.
Solar cells work best when picking up
direct light from the sun. But the
solar shingles are "effective at picking
up scattered light — that is light that
hits clouds or filters through the
leaves on trees."

The third myth is the expense of solar equipment. "They are commercially
available at a reasonable cost," he said. "There is assistance available ... a state of
Ohio grant can pay $5 a watt up to $25,000 of the system's cost." Collins added
there is a $3,000 federal tax credit available for solar systems brought online in
2006. The Collinses' 4.5 kilowatt system cost $37,460 total — but that was
without an Ohio grant because "this system was too advanced" to fall under the
current state guidelines. He believes the cost will go down as roofers and
electricians become more experienced in installation and as advancements are
made in the solar materials.

This solar technology also can work in conjunction with other energy-saving
innovations. Collins' house is part of the Decker Homes' Energy Star Deer Valley
subdivision, where each house conforms to specific energy guidelines. His home
has argon-gas-filled wood windows with heat-reflecting glass; a high-efficiency gas
furnace; fluorescent lighting; and high-performance insulation.
***