The Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingle integrates thin-film CIGS photovoltaic cells into a proprietary roofing shingle design, which represents a multi-functional solar energy generating roofing product.
The product design reduces installation costs because conventional roofing shingles and solar generating shingles are installed simultaneously by roofing contractors, the company said.
Andrew Liveris, chairman and CEO of Dow, said: “Collaboration between government and business is essential to overcoming the challenges facing our society today, including energy, climate change and the creation of sustainable jobs. As the leader in applied chemistry, Dow is well positioned to address the technical challenges of bringing affordable, renewable energy solutions to the market and to be a leader in ushering America into the new clean-energy future.”
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is considering up to $140m in economic incentives for the plant, which would produce photovoltaic solar panels in the form of solar shingles that can be integrated into rooftops with asphalt shingle materials.
Local, state and federal funding will help Dow Solar Solutions to accelerate production plans for the solar shingles already being manufactured in a development plant at Dow’s Michigan operations in Midland, the company said.
If received, the MEDC economic package will add to the $100m in investments Dow has already made in the development of solar platforms since the programme’s inception in 2007 when Dow was awarded a $20m solar America initiative pathways programme grant by the US Department of Energy.
Additionally, Dow and the California Institute of Technology have signed a multi-year research collaboration that is said to be strategic to both organizations’ interests in solar energy.
