Home-Based Solar Power Coming To Minneapolis

Quick: What country generates the most electricity from solar power?

Did you just think of Germany? Probably not. But now that you realize that a country with a climate like Germany generates that much solar power are you thinking about doing the same in Minneapolis and St. Paul?

You should be as solar power has never been closer to Minneapolis and St. Paul homeowners.

New roof products are becoming available to Minneapolis roof contractors that integrate solar power generation into homes without using bulky solar panels that lack the aesthetic homeowners generally desire.

The products are solar shingles from DOW that can be installed by any Minneapolis roof contractor and thin solar panels from Certainteed that require some training for roof contractors to install them correctly.

These products generate electricity used in the home and, in many states including Minnesota, generate power that can be sold to your utility to add a credit to your electrical bill.

Both require an electrician to install the ‘inverter’ needed to convert the DC current generated by the solar shingles or panels into the AC current used in a home.

Homeowners considering the option of generating their own solar-based electricity should research the products and find an experienced roof contractor to do the work.

There are state and federal tax incentives available that lower the end costs of installing solar-power roofing products. They also shorten the time to reach the break-even point and begin generating a return on the home improvement investment.

Solar shingles and new, flat solar panels are just an example of a new generation of home improvement products that combine eco-friendly manufacturing with lower installation costs and increased efficiency.

Those include APEX fiberglass siding -- becoming available to Minneapolis siding contractors-- and new composite windows that lower heating and cooling costs that Andersen is offering to Minneapolis window contractors.