CARLISLE, PA.—Carlisle Energy Services, a newly formed division of Carlisle Construction Materials and a leading manufacturer of energy-efficient single-ply roofing systems, announced it has signed a long-term sales contract worth up to $320 million with Solyndra, Inc., a manufacturer of proprietary photovoltaic (PV) systems designed to optimize solar electricity production on commercial rooftops. The multi-year sales contract adds to Solyndra’s previously announced order backlog. The solar panels for these contracts will be manufactured at Solyndra’s facilities in Fremont and Milpitas, Calif.
According to John Altmeyer, CEO of Carlisle Construction Materials, “The Solyndra PV system is a natural fit for our Energy Star-certified, cool roof systems. When installed on Carlisle’s white reflective TPO roofing membrane, the output of the Solyndra PV system increases up to 20 percent. Further, the installation of a Solyndra system is exceptionally quick and economical, and can be easily accomplished by a roofing contractor along with the installation of an insulated cool roof. Together with Carlisle’s large network of roofing installers, we can rapidly deploy systems which provide both energy conservation and low-cost solar electricity generation.”
Insulated cool roofs, made of highly reflective and emissive materials, lower daytime air-conditioning electricity usage by reflecting away sunlight and heat. The rapid adoption of cool roofs in the western and Sunbelt states of the United States has been helped by the support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Star program and by the requirements of the California Title 24 Energy Standard, which prescribes cool roofs to be employed whenever low-slope commercial roofs are constructed or replaced.
Designed for Commercial Rooftops
In addition to being designed specifically for commercial rooftop installation, Solyndra’s PV system uniquely benefits from installation on a cool roof due to the collection of reflected, direct, and diffuse light. Due to the air flow through Solyndra’s panels, cool roofs remain much cooler than with other PV systems. Additionally, Solyndra’s lightweight and non-penetrating system eliminates the negative impact on roof life and performance associated with either penetrating or heavier, ballasted PV systems and allows for easy removal of the panels for roof maintenance or redeployment of the panels to another facility.
“This agreement capitalizes on the Solyndra system’s benefits for reflective commercial rooftops,” says Chris Gronet, Solyndra CEO and founder. “As we enter this new channel, we are excited to work with Carlisle and to extend their leadership position serving the needs of commercial buildings owners.”
Carlisle is in the process of installing a commercial-scale Solyndra PV system on its TPO manufacturing facility in Tooele, Utah. This installation will provide a well-situated showcase for prospective customers and business partners, in addition to reducing the facility’s conventional electricity usage.
