This material is seen in the three horizontal courses on the left-hand-side roof (not the rounded roof sections on the right) in this picture. Note how well this material blends with the overall architectural motif of the structure. While conventional wisdom holds that Michigan may not be ideal for photovoltaics, this grid-connected system averages power outputs of 8.5 kilowatts during summer days and around 7 kilowatts in the other three seasons. In snowy West Michigan, the UNI-SOLAR_® thin-film material sheds snowfalls rapidly. It's not unusual for the roof to be clear of an overnight snow and generating full power by Noon, whereas competitors' insulated, glass-encased panels may hold snow cover for several days.

While the roof system pictured here is rated at ten kilowatts, it is easy to visualize how this unique product can be scaled up or down in size virtually without limit.