# Sleek Solar Shingle Power Dow Offers Simple Affordable Photovoltaic Energy From Roofing Materials By Katie Cordrey | Published 2009-10-10 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-shingles-photovoltaic-roofing References: [news.dow](http://news.dow.com/dow_news/corporate/2009/20091005b.htm) Newly introduced, [DOW](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dow) POWERHOUSE Solar Shingles are photovoltaic solar panel shingles that may make [solar power installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gigawatt-solar-projects) mundane because they can be used in [standard roofing installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/state-of-Gujarat). Dow Solar Solutions came up with the design which combines low-cost, thin-film CIGS photovoltaic cells with a proprietary roofing shingle design. Conventional roofing shingles and the Dow solar power-generating shingles can be installed simultaneously without specialized skills or knowledge. Limited quantities of the solar shingles will be available by mid-2010 with the hope that they will be widely available in 2011. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.0/10 - Popularity: 50% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Photovoltaic Roofing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop cost-effective and widely available photovoltaic roofing materials that seamlessly integrate with standard roofing installations. - **Thin-film Solar Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Improve the efficiency and affordability of thin-film solar technology to make it a competitive alternative to traditional solar panels. - **Sustainable Construction:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate renewable energy solutions, such as solar shingles, into sustainable construction practices to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Roofing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with solar energy companies to develop roofing materials that generate solar power. - **Solar Energy:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Invest in research and development to advance thin-film solar technology and make it more accessible to homeowners. - **Construction:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate sustainable and energy-efficient solutions, such as solar shingles, into building designs to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly buildings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Consolidated Photovoltaic Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/photovoltaic-systems.md) - [Heritage Building-Blending Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/invisible-solar.md) - [Efficient Scalable Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/perovskia-solar.md) - [Colored Glass Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beautiful-solar-panels.md) - [User-Friendly Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lunar-energy.md) - [Flexible Solar Film Energy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heliafilm.md) - [Home Energy Storage Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/home-energy-storage-system.md) - [Solar-Powered Door Locks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-door-lock.md) - [Ultra-Thin Solar Panel Coatings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-panel-2.md)