The Dow Powerhouse solar shingle, manufactured by Dow Chemical, has received Underwriters Laboratories (UL) safety certification after passing over 50 individual tests to measure its safety and building standards. UL testing included wind and fire resistance testing as well as validating proper wiring and PV connection. The Dow Powerhouse shingle achieved UL 746, 1703, 1897, 790, 486 and 514.
“The receipt of UL safety certification represents the successful completion of a rigorous and comprehensive multitest process for the Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles,” said Dow Solar VP Jane Palmieri. “This is another important milestone toward the planned 2011 commercialization of Dow’s solar shingles, and represents a crucial third-party validation of the safety of this product. We are dedicated to making solar easy for homeowners, builders, and roofing contractors who already trust the performance and safety of building products bearing the Dow brand.”
Dow has committed to carry on its own reliability and durability testing to bolster the shingles' commercial viability. The Dow Powerhouse uses copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) thin film and is being tested on installed systems as well as individual shingles for its performance against weather, extreme temperature, and more reliability features.
