Last month, SRS Energy,the Philadelphia-headquartered developer and manufacturer of solarroofing tiles trained contractors in California to support the launchof its Sole Power Tile system–the first building-integratedphotovoltaic product for curved, clay-tile roofs. Two weeks ago, thePennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development announced$2.8 million in grants and loans that should keep those contractorsbusy next year.
SRS will use the funds to support the purchase of equipment for amanufacturing plant it will open in Montgomery County in 2010. Theplant’s first line of Sole Power Tiles is scheduled to be fullyoperational by the conclusion of the second quarter next year and willemploy up to 40 people to start, with more jobs to follow as additionallines are added.
“We’re delighted at (the state’s) commitment to invest in clean,sustainable technologies that will benefit both the environment and theeconomy,” says SRS CEO Marty Low.
The funding includes $2.375 million from the DCED’s Machinery andEquipment Loan Fund and a $430,000 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
SRS’s Sole system blends with several styles of California-basedpartner U.S. Tile’s clay roofing tiles. The system preserves curbappeal while applying cutting-edge thin film solar technology, whichconverts a greater spectrum of sunlight into electricity. The tiles arealso far less sensitive to heat compared to other solar technologies.
SRS and U.S. Tile are launching the Sole system in select West Coastmarkets and will roll it out nationwide next spring. CertainTeed, a $5billion building products company in Valley Forge, owns a 20 percentstake in SRS.
Source: Marty Low, SRS Energy
Writer: Joe Petrucci
