Photovoltaics are solar cells that consist of mono- or poly-crystalline cells which collect light rays from the sun and convert them into energy. Photovoltaic cells are usually installed as a grid type system where the energy is “sold” to your energy company. With the grid system, the building owner “sells” the energy created by his/her photovoltaic system to his/her energy companyand then re-purchases energy at a lower price OR the building owner gets a credit for his/her usage. These credits and energy pricing rates are state dependent. Check with your particular energy company in your area on the rebates and cost incentives that exist for installation of a photovoltaic roofing system. The benefits and costs of photovoltaic roofing include:

• Low maintenance
• Energy savings
• No roof penetrations
• Easier and cheaper installations on current roofing
• Doesn’t cause water pooling
• Light weight roofing
• High efficiency cells generate more power per sq ft

Example of Photovoltaic Savings: A 4 ft x 8 ft photovoltaic panel will generate 450 watts or about 51 kWh/month. (3.8 hrs avg peak sun hours in MN/day x 450 watts x 30 days / 1000 watts = 51.3 kWh/month) Xcel Energy representatives state that a typical household uses about 600 kWh per month so if a house had one 4 ft x 8 ft photovoltaic panel, the household would generate 51 kWh through the panel and would need to purchase 549 kWh from Xcel Energy for a total of 600 kWh for the month. To SOLELY power a three bedroom home through photovoltaics, the house would need approximately eleven 4 ft x 8 ft photovoltaic panels.