Roof-integrated solar product provider GAF Energy has leased a 112,000-sq.-ft facility in San Jose, California, that will serve as an R&D center and eventually manufacturing facility. The company expects the new stateside manufacturing facility will result in “hundreds” of U.S. jobs.
“Driving the next generation of solar innovation is a top priority for our business — and we’re proud to be making this investment here in the U.S.,” said David Millstone and David Winter, co-CEOs of Standard Industries, parent company of GAF. “With this facility, GAF Energy is advancing our vision of an integrated product that’s attractive, affordable, reliable, and easily installed, so that every new roof has the option to generate solar power.”
“We’re extremely excited to have found a home for our first combination R&D and manufacturing facility. Solar roofing is the future of the industry; the research, innovation, and manufacturing for that future will start at this facility,” said Martin DeBono, president of GAF Energy. “The co-location of R&D and manufacturing is a huge benefit for the scientists pushing the envelope on what’s possible for the product, and the engineers responsible for rolling it off the line.”
GAF Energy offers a low-profile solar roofing product through its network of GAF-approved roofing partners. The company currently uses Solaria solar modules attached directly to the roofing underlayment with traditional shingles around the perimeter of the solar array. The product likely to be manufactured at the new San Jose facility will consist of the flashing and other waterproofing materials for the system.
