NEWTWON, Mass. — METALCON announces its new solar center sponsored by S-5! débuting this year in Tampa, Fla. for business owners, designers, contractors, EPCs, solar developers and installers interested in learning more about the benefits of solar and metal roofing. 

Solar is a rapidly growing energy sector in the U.S. and globally, with strong growth forecasted. This increased focus on energy efficiency and sustainability has brought attention to the pairing of solar and metal roofing. Discover how solar and metal go hand-in-hand in a variety of educational sessions, live demos, and have some fun at the METALCON Solar Trivia Games.

Hear from the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA), the voice of solar energy in the U.S., on a "Federal Update: Solar Trade & Manufacturing." John Smirnow, SEIA's general counsel and vice president of market strategy, will discuss the outlook for solar in the U.S., industry efforts to grow domestic solar manufacturing and current international trade issues. 

In addition, a panel of industry experts moderated by LeeAnn Slattery, sales support manager of ATAS International and market development chair for the Metal Construction Association (MCA) will present Metal Takes on Solar – A Metal Roofers Perspective on Solar Installations based on a new MCA report on Metal Roofing & Solar PV Systems. Panelists include Bob Zabcik, president of Z-tech Consulting, LLC; Andy Williams, principal of Panel Cladding Solutions LLC and director of codes and standards, MCA; Mark Gies, director of solar business at S-5! and Dustin Haddock, vice president of research and development at S-5!

Here’s a snapshot of educational sessions planned for the solar center with more to come: 

Wednesday, Oct. 6  

11:30 a.m. – Metal Roofing, the Perfect Platform for Solar PV 

1 p.m. – Best Practices to Install Solar on Metal Roofing, NABCEP certified 

4 p.m. – Solar Trivia Games 

Thursday, Oct. 7  

11:30 a.m. – Solar PV Rooftop Applications & Solar-Ready Design Considerations, AIA certified 

1 p.m. – Roundtable Presentation, Metal Roofing & Solar PV Systems 

2 p.m. – Federal Update: Solar Trade & Manufacturing 

2:30 p.m. – Solar in High Wind & Snow Country: Design Considerations 

4 p.m. – Solar Trivia Games 

Friday, Oct. 8  

10:30 a.m. – Rail-Less Solar on Metal Roofs: Wire Management & Best Practices, NABCEP certified 

12 p.m. – Final two-team face-off Solar Trivia Games 

Throughout the show, live solar demos will take place along with the METALCON Solar Trivia Games. Teams of three to five individuals can pre-register or join a team on the first morning of the games. Each first-place winning team on days ones and two wins prizes before facing off on the final day for the grand prize. 

“We are very excited to feature solar at the show this year,” said Judy Geller, METALCON’s vice president of tradeshows. “It’s a natural choice because metal roofing provides an ideal platform for mounting solar PV since the service life of a metal roof exceeds the service life of a solar PV system. It is also the most sustainable roofing type and yields lower solar installation costs. Attendees will take away practical ideas to implement right away and help grow their businesses.”