What Homeowner’s Want: Discreet Solar Power

By CertainTeed. 

Providing customers with subtle solar tiles that are as easy to install as tile is a sure way to add value to your company and keep homeowners happy. 

When John Bedingfield built his new home, he wanted to capitalize on all of the sunny days to bring down his energy bill. San Antonio, where John lives, gets more sun than anywhere else in Texas, (220 sunny days on average), so, John knew all he needed was a superb rooftop solar system to reap the benefit of his sunny location. His neighborhood, however, is clear about keeping a look of conformity in homes, with restrictions to any additions to a home that would stand out. John needed a solar system that would seamlessly integrate into his roof, and luckily found what he was looking for with the Apollo® Tile II solar roofing system. 

After doing some research on solar systems, Bedingfield approached Don Fry, president of Fry Roofing, who suggested CertainTeed’s Apollo® Tile II solar roofing system.  

The system features a unique, low-profile designed for integration into concrete tile roofs. Understanding the building standards of the community, Fry knew the product was exactly what the Bedingfield’s were looking for.   

Fry, who was relatively new to Apollo II systems, said the installation went smoothly thanks to straightforward design and dedicated support from the manufacturer. “We had never installed a solar system like this before,” said Fry.  

“It was easy to put together because it was the same as putting on a tile roof. The system was easily incorporated into the layout, so the 350 solar tiles blended uniformly with the concrete tiles, and the process went smoothly thanks to the training and support provided,” according to Fry.  

“A CertainTeed rep came out to explain how the system is installed and to work along with the contractors, but after the first day they weren’t needed because it was simple and intuitive,” Fry added. “This definitely added a lot of value and comfort to the homeowner.”  

“I’ve been very pleased with the performance,” said Bedingfield. “During temperate months my electric bill is very small, and there are times where I even have a credit on my account.” 

According to Fry, the Apollo Tile II solar arrays on Bedingfield’s home cover 14 squares (1,400 square feet) of roof space, divided among four inverters to accommodate the above-average size of the system. In its first full year of operation, the system produced more than 28,000 kilowatt-hours of energy that would have otherwise been purchased from the local utility at $0.10/kWh — amounting to more than $2,800 in savings. Over the 25-year lifetime of the system, the clean energy generated will offset 520 metric tons of CO2 emissions — the equivalent of planting 13,500 trees or not driving 1.28 million miles.   

Fry said the install went so well that people barely notice that the home is discreetly generating solar power. “Both the builder and the electrical company were surprised to learn that the home has solar,” said Fry. “They can tell there is something different about those sections of the roof, but the integration is seamless enough that the tiles aren’t immediately recognizable as solar.” 

Learn more about CertainTeed in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.certainteed.com. 

Original article source: CertainTeed