Tremco Incorporated has been awarded a $1 million Third Frontier Advanced Energy Program (TFAEP) grant from the State of Ohio in the Advanced Materials category.

BEACHWOOD, Ohio - Tremco Incorporated has been awarded a $1 million Third Frontier Advanced Energy Program (TFAEP) grant from the State of Ohio in the Advanced Materials category. Tremco and its project collaborators, in particular Xunlight of Toledo, Ohio, propose to leverage Ohio’s outstanding building materials and photovoltaic (PV) research and development capacity to commercialize a unique, durable, high-performance - but removable - building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing solution targeting the grid-tied commercial marketplace, in which businesses are able to sell excess electricity back to the utility. The project team will integrate thin-film, flexible PV modules into Tremco’s innovative roofing systems.

The proposed product is in the Incubating (development) Phase of the Third Frontier Technology Commercialization Framework. Building on its experience and knowledge in photovoltaic systems, combined with the expertise of its partners and the support of the TFAEP grant, Tremco’s innovative BIPV system will be a significant advancement over existing systems. The company expects to develop new processes and technologies which will help the system advance the cause of “green” construction, and have a positive impact both on Ohio’s economy and on energy costs for those using the BIPV system.

The project is closely aligned with Ohio’s interests in advanced materials and advanced energy systems. Ohio is also positioned well to support the project, with its financial commitment to solar power, network of research universities, integrated supply chain and experienced workforce. The Alliance (Ohio) City Schools will serve as an initial customer for the new roofing system.

The project promises further research in the area of “cradle-to-cradle” roofing systems. In a cradle-to-cradle relationship, the roof is leased to the building owner; at the end of its useful life, it is removed and recycled into a new roof. Cradle-to-cradle systems are growing in popularity as raw material prices continue to rise and America becomes increasingly aware of environmental concerns. For more information, call 800-562-2728 or visit www.tremcoroofing.com.