Now, a “case of shingles” doesn’t have to be something your doctor helps you avoid; instead it can provide fast relief from the pain of high electricity bills.

Stevensville, Maryland-based Nexus EnergyHomes, Inc.—the “net zero” builder that is revolutionizing the industry by designing houses that produce as much energy as they use— is partnering with the Midland, Michigan-based Dow Chemical Company to become the first developer to offer the Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingle to homebuyers on the East Coast. 

The Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingle is an award-winning, integrated solar roofing system that protects the home and generates electricity. It is a first-of-its kind product—designed to combine the benefits of solar technology with the durability and performance of traditional roofing materials.

“Dow Solar Shingles are among the most cutting-edge renewable solutions on the market, making Dow Powerhouse the ideal partner,” said Paul Zanecki, Nexus EnergyHomes founder and president, adding, “They enable us to offer our customers a truly breakthrough product, from one of the biggest names in renewable energy solutions. This solar integrated roof product protects the home, uses sunlight to power it, and provides superior aesthetic appeal for our homes’ exterior design, and that is exactly what we were looking for, because they support our ability to lead the market in sustainable living. This is the future of new homebuilding in America.”

Each Nexus home is designed and constructed to meet the rigorous requirements of the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) at the highest certification levels. After visiting their award-winning North Pointe Nexus GeoSolar Community in Frederick, Maryland Governor, Martin O’Malley praised Nexus’ home-building “recipe” as the “epitome of innovation" in his January State of the State speech (see video). All of the homes built in this 50-lot community have achieved Emerald certification by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center. In fact, the North Pointe community represents the largest concentration of Emerald certified homes in the United States.

Nexus homes offer:

• Geothermal (ground-sourced) heat pumps,
• Photovoltaic solar panels,
• Super-insulated building shells,
• NexusVision smart systems,
• Energy Star-rated appliances,
• Air filtration systems, and
• Smog-eating technology (optional).

Nexus will now offer the Powerhouse Solar Shingles to homebuyers in upcoming Nexus GeoSolar Communities, as well as to their new construction luxury custom homebuyers, and clients within the trending teardown market.  With several home projects already underway in Maryland and Pennsylvania; as well as other projects in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area soon to be announced, strong demand for the product is anticipated. Zanecki says he expects buyers who request Solar Shingles to realize thousands of dollars in energy savings, and to increase the overall value of their properties. 

 “Nexus EnergyHomes is on the leading edge of sustainable innovation in homebuilding, which makes our collaboration a natural fit,” said Dan Pezolt, Dow Solar Commercial director. “Dow Powerhouse has been endorsed by homeowner’s associations and has been approved for use on historical structures, which speaks to the aesthetic benefit of the product. We are excited to offer East Coast homebuyers the prospect of buying a high-performing home complete with solar technology that looks like it belongs on a roof.” 

Made in the USA and backed by a 20-year warranty from Dow, the Powerhouse Solar Shingle is certified as both a solar and roofing product. It has received seven performance and safety certifications, including the backing of Underwriters Laboratories (UL), International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) certification and is proven to withstand rain, hail and wind uplift. 

Dow’s product recently was honored as a recipient of a 2012 Breakthrough Award by Popular Mechanics magazine, for creating the new benchmark in roof design and engineering in the United States.  It also received Gold for Best New Product by the internationally renowned 2012 Edison Awards, and was recognized with the Time Magazine Best Invention of the Year in 2009.