Renee, I saw those on Living With Ed a couple of weeks ago.  Bill Nye The Science Guy has them on his house.  Would that I could do that here in FL.  Unfortunately I don't think they are hurricane proof!

Renee -- this is very interesting.  Do you think they will work in a climate where we have a lot of snow and cold?  Let me know what you think!

Terry:  Thanks for stopping by, I don't think they would either!

Joan:   Here is something for you from wired.com:  One company is aiming its product at the consumer who lives in "low light" conditions. Konarka's integrated roofing material uses plastic sheets of polymer materials instead of silicon-based panels. The flexible plastic "is more efficient at low light, such as when the sun is rising or setting, on cloudy days," so it may be better for certain areas, according to Dan McGahn, executive vice president. It converts 5 percent of the solar energy into electricity, compared to silicon-based systems that are 15 percent to 20 percent efficient, and costs about twice as much as a standard roof.

I simply don't understand with the amount of sun and rain that we get here why builders do not build with these materials! 

I was asked today if we were going to put these on our office condo building we own as we need a new roof. Funny how things like this work. I'm off to crash and will read the link in the morning.

Renee - I think with the cost of oil and electricity in the next few year more product like this will become basic contruction products.

Renee, thanks for the post and especially the links.  I'm waiting for them to figure out how to put these on flat roofs, which we have here - there are so many row houses.  It'll probably come soon!

Terry Haugen, there's no reason why they can't be made hurricane proof - there are several companies in Florida that ha ve developed a similar product - UniSolar has one--although it is not noted on website yet..... and tiles on a roof would be LESS expensive to replace than an entire array that is several inches above the roof face itself (although some are rated to 125 mph).  I have seen the products from 2 other companies and can get their names for you if you want them.

Renee -- Great post!  we need to keep up the drum beat for alternative energy use - and solar is our best choice...Thank you!

Jay:  Might be worth it to take a look at them, interesting huh?

Jennifer:  I am definitely hoping so and they do look pretty cost effective.  We have been so soaked by the faux energy crisis in the early 2000's there has to be a point where consumers say "ENOUGH" because they do have choices. 

Patricia:  Hopefully soon because where there is a will, there is a way!

Eva:  Thanks for your comments and educating me.  Winds here can get pretty high too so that was a minor concern.  It seems that the pricing is fairly competitive with regular shingles when you outweigh the benefit.  

Renee, I got so "excited" about the possibility of using glass to capture electricity that I bought some stock in a company that had patents on the process. So far all they have done is lose money, Consequently, so have I. But I'm still a believer.

Bill Roberts 

this is really interesting! thanks for sharing!

Bill:  Sorry to hear that :(

Bill & Barbara Jo:  Thanks for stopping by :) 

Renee,  Where do you find the time to do such thorough research?  This is a great post.  I am feeling the Nevada Power pain that you are!  My electric bills were outrageous this summer and it sounds like we will get another rate hike soon!

Renee - great product highlight! You say, "I simply don't understand with the amount of sun and rain that we get here why builders do not build with these materials! " IMHO -- many of the builders have not been exposed to the products and the result is they do not have an understanding of them. It may be scary for them to change practices and work with an unfamiliar product. Also, they may not have data as to how they will perform over time. As the consumer demands more, the builders will have to adopt the changing products. Keep doing your part to spread the word! Every little bit helps!

Well, this sure is a forehead smacker......of course photovoltaic roofing tiles make just tons of sense!

Awesome...thanks for sharing! and Cheers! from DC...

     Jaynee