In US, Solar Panels Get Aesthetic Designs
US"> Although thin film is a relatively new technology, John Langdon of thin-film start-up HelioVolt said he expects it to dominate residential use as it becomes part of the building process.
"Solar power today is where air conditioning was in 1950 -- everything is a window unit designed for retrofit on existing construction -- its more expensive, its not as good, its not as a cost effective," Langdon said. "But by 1960 no one built a building without saying 'Should I put a central air system in?' - and the same thing is going to happen with solar."
Until recently, solar panels were about six inches thick and mounted with brackets on top of existing roofs or custom designed racks.
But with energy prices climbing, and authorities offering subsidies for solar power, the solar industry is beginning to recognize aesthetics as one of the last barriers to solar power in the residential market, despite a housing slump in the United States.
clipped from: www.planetark.com