Our April issue of Roofing Contractor will feature an article on two roofing contractors who invented and patented a residential solar kit. They hope their product will help other roofing contractors enter the world of solar roofing. 

Our April issue of Roofing Contractor will feature an article on two roofing contractors who invented and patented a residential solar kit. They hope their product will help other roofing contractors enter the world of solar roofing.

Robert Allen and Gary Allen run Allen Brothers Inc. (ABI), a multifaceted roofing contractor located in Rochester Hills, Mich. Their solar system won the “Best New Product” award at the 2008 International Roofing Expo, and they opened a sister company, LUMA Resources, to market and sell the system and train contactors on how to install it.

“It’s time to reinvent yourself as more than just a roofing contractor,” said Robert Allen, President of ABI. “For us it just kind of happened as natural progression, in an almost providential kind of way. However, for roofing contractors across America we now have the experience and the products to help them deliberately enter the fastest-growing industry in our world today - alternative energy.”

The system is sold as a complete kit. Each interlocking panel has a splice plate and wiring with quick-connectors at each end. The result is just one lead that carries the DC power, which can be dropped into the attic or run down the side of the house for connection to the inverter. “The electrician has to take it from there and hook up the DC leads to the inverter. It’s perfect for both new construction and re-roofing applications as well.” said Gary Allen.

Besides being aesthetically pleasing, the kit is easy to install and compatible with standard roofing systems, noted Gary Allen. “We wanted to make the product as easy as possible to install, so that’s why we set it up as a kit,” he said.

“Contractors will have to be trained in how to install the system, but the training process is quick and easy,” said Robert Allen. “The system was designed to be put together by two experienced installers in just a few hours. It fits together as a system of interlocking panels. Each panel is locked in place by the panel below it, and several clips hold each panel at the top. The clip also holds the panels off the deck, for ease of installation.”

“This product was developed by roofers for roofers,” he continued. “We want to make sure that the solar industry installation is put in the hands of contractors, and we feel like we have the best solution out there. This product has opened up solar to the average builder, roofer and electrical professional.”

Look for the full story in our April issue. For more information on LUMA Resources, call 888-733-5862 or visit www.lumaresources.com.