search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!

King's Corner: "Solar for the Masses"

By Chris King
March 25, 2010
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.

Share This Story

Chris King is editor of Roofing Contractor. He can be reached at 248-244-6497.
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Blog Topics

Damato of the Day

Guest Blog

Recent Comments

Justin Bieber’s purple hoodie is an iconic piece...

It's fascinating to see how virtual trade shows...

This update is a game-changer for flat...

This is a timely conversation for residential...

Safety is No1

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • An overhead view of a residential block
    Sponsored byCBIZ CompuData

    From Spreadsheets to Strategy: How Roofing Companies Can Transform Financial Operations

  • Snow Guard Solutions for Metal Roofs by S-5!
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Safeguard Your Building: How Snow Guards Prevent Costly Roof & Property Damage

  • A hand holding a wooden block that reads 'EVOLVE'
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Embracing Change: A New Era for the Roofing Industry

Popular Stories

Florida has become the focal point for construction-site raids, attracting national attention and altering labor dynamics throughout the industry.

Florida Emerges as the Epicenter of ICE Raids

Agentes de ICE arrestaron a casi una docena de empleados de una empresa de techos en Lowell, Massachusetts. Los arrestos son parte de una redada federal más amplia contra la contratación no autorizada y las violaciones migratorias en Boston.

ICE Redondea a Equipo de Techos Afuera de Boston

Kingspan’s planned 100-acre roofing campus in Oklahoma is under consideration as the new location for asphalt shingle production.

Kingspan Flirts with Disrupting the U.S. Shingle Market

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing