The PCBC 2009 featured 400+ exhibitors but only Custom-Bilt Metals won the Cool Product Competition in the “Saves Energy” category with their FusionSolar system. I had the opportunity to discuss the product with two of the owners, Joe and Steve Chiovare.
The What: Custom-Bilt Metals, a manufacturer of metal roofing and rain gutter products, has developed a two-in-one, solar building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing product in which traditional standing seam metal roofing is enhanced by thin film solar technology. Launched on June 17, 2009 at PCBC 2009 in San Francisco, California, the FusionSolar is a thin film laminate manufactured by UNI-SOLAR for Custom-Bilt Metals.
Custom-Bilt Metals offers the FusionSolar Standing Seam Roof system in 3 types of roof profiles and roof panels at 9’ and 18’ lengths. The thin film laminates are fused onto the roof panels in the factory, eliminating the need for on-site installation that typically has to accommodate rain and wind patterns. Custom-Bilt Metals has a 35 year “No Fade” warranty while UNI-SOLAR offers a 20 year warranty. The system also provides other advantages by:
- eliminating the need for roof penetrations;
- following the roof slopes including curves, thus being visually unobtrusive;
- being lightweight and not requiring additional structural support; and
- being durable and safe to walk on without damage.
The FusionSolar system is a turn-key solar PV system which can be sized from 3 kW to 120 kW. The package includes the design, wiring and electrical specifications, and all electrical components including the inverter. FusionSolar’s simplification of the solar system does not require a solar professional and helps reduce labor costs. It requires a sheet metal or roofing contractor to install the standing seam roof, just as one would any standard metal roof, and an electrical contractor to complete the system.
It also qualifies for a variety of federal and state tax credits and other incentives, and can earn multiple LEED points. Custom-Bilt Metals will offer potential buyers a reality check by analyzing the return-on-investment (ROI) to determine if it is the right product for the project.
The Who: 35 years ago, Mr. Tony Chiovare founded Custom-Bilt Metals to specialize in gutters and downspouts manufacturing. 10 years later, he added metal roofing to his product line. The headquarters is based in Chino, California and there are 10 factories in the U.S. West Coast including 4 in California.
After the successful launch of Titan Cool Roof in 2002, the company developed the FusionSolar concept in 2007 to stay ahead of the industry. In February of this year, Custom-Bilt Metals and UNI-SOLAR closed the deal on their partnership to create a BIPV product which will soon start production.
The FusionSolar system makes it easy to go solar on commercial and residential projects in terms of installation and cost. If we want to significantly increase the number of solar installations, then we need to see more innovation of different types of BIPV. Custom-Bilt Metals definitely is on the right track to helping us produce clean, renewable energy.
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