About dubiousness: I am also skeptical. It feels almost too good to be true.
As for mass production: it also takes advantage of economies of scale (price goes way down), automation (price goes down), and "side channel" revenue streams -- open your own barber shops/salons and charge half of what others charge.
I think the big issue is that it's easy to do in developing countries, so this could possibly result in a lot of DIY panels. Even if this has no flaws beyond that, I don't think we'll see this appearing on US or European roofs. (Well, apart from the alternative crowd who'd probably flock to Cherokee Hair Panels)
Wonder how long the hair lasts. If you continually have to rethread your panels, valve-style...
As for mass production: it also takes advantage of economies of scale (price goes way down), automation (price goes down), and "side channel" revenue streams -- open your own barber shops/salons and charge half of what others charge.