Why PV? | FocusAmbika Puniani Bailey
Although some roofing contractors are becoming involved with
installing roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) systems, most are not and
may not be planning to do so anytime soon. Why, then, has there
been so much focus on roof-mounted PV systems?
The answer is that roof-mounted PV systems offer the greatest
growth potential and market shift the roofing industry has seen in
a long time. Because of an increasing interest in and demand for
solar energy in residential and commercial applications, it is
widely believed it is only a matter of time before roof-mounted PV
systems become mainstream, providing an efficient energy source to
homeowners and building owners. And when that happens, NRCA wants roofing contractors to be the
first people consumers turn to for expertise, installation and
maintenance.
Professional Roofing hopes the articles in this issue
will help achieve that goal. In this issue, you'll find out how PV
panels are tested by Northbrook, Ill.-based Underwriters
Laboratories Inc. (see page
32); learn more about NRCA's
and the Center for
Environmental Innovation in Roofing's new initiative to train
and certify roof-mounted PV system installers (see page
38); and read about a self-sustaining home powered in part by a
roof-mounted PV system (see page
34).
In addition, NRCA
University will be holding its educational course Rooftop
Photovoltaics: Energizing Your Business in Austin, Texas; Las
Vegas; Atlanta; and Baltimore during the next six months. The
course provides the latest information about the terminology,
benefits, design considerations, construction details, electrical
considerations, code compliance, and business and legal issues
associated with roof-mounted PV systems. For specific locations and
dates, log on to
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