Thin Film Solar Electricty Q&A

A. Actually, their benefits are hidden in their name. Thin film solar cells are flexible, light, and easy to work with. Solar tiles and panels made from thin film can be shaped into small shingles, for example, to look like a "normal roof". Thin film solar cells can also be worked with quite simply because they are so light. This is a huge improvement over previous solar cell roofing tiles and panels which were large, heavy and required substantial substructures to install.

Q: What is a thin film solar co-op?

A. Thin film solar technology for home elctricity is advancing so fast, and these solar cells are so east to work with, that people can often use thin film solar roofing for more than there own electricity needs. So imagine a neighborhood of ten houses, 5 of which have thin film solar roofs. If enough electricity is being produced by the 5 thin film solar roofs, the entire neighborhood can form a co-op, where everyone pays in to the upkeep, installation costs, etc. of those thin film solar roofs. Then the entire neighborhood shares the solar electricity for free!

Q: When will more mainstream companies get involved in solar roofing?

A: Big news in thin film solar is that many major mainstream companies are buying in - not just niche solar energy companies, but big time manufacturers and energy companies. Thin film solar has opened the door to consumer solar for the home on a grand scale.