News Release
For immediate release:
DATE
For more information contact:
Michael B. Loughery, CertainTeed
(610) 341-7328
mike.b.loughery@saint-gobain.com
www.certainteed.com/pressroom
CertainTeed® Apollo® Solar Roofing System is Integral Component of South Carolina Free
Energy Living Custom Homes
(Valley Forge, Pa.) – CertainTeed’s Apollo® Solar Roofing System is an integrated component in
the net-zero energy strategy of The Whilden, a new custom home built by green builder
Amerisips Homes, Inc., on John’s Island, S.C. The 3,050 square-foot, two-story LEED®
Platinum certified home’s ultra-high energy efficiency is driven by the integration of
photovoltaic (PV) roofing and structurally insulated panels that dramatically reduce energy
demand.
“The Apollo Solar Roofing System is integral to achieving the net-zero energy performance that
we deliver in all of our homes, due to its ability to harness the sun’s rays and generate free
energy,” says Tina Bostic, president of Amerisips. “In addition, the system’s panels are much
thinner and integrate into the roof better than traditional solar panels, which gives us a solar roof
without sacrificing aesthetics.”
The Amerisips’ home design and construction team integrates all the mechanical, electrical,
plumbing and renewable energy systems to maximize the energy savings and generation for their
high-performance, Free Energy Living homes. For the roof installation, the team hired All
American Roofing, also of Charleston, which underwent a day-long CertainTeed installation
training session for the Apollo system. With the training session under its belt, the small crew
completed the project in five hours, which included the assembly and installation of 54 PV
panels and 34 squares of CertainTeed Landmark™ designer shingles in Slate Gray.
News Release
The Whilden – Page 2 of 3
“If you know the basics of roofing and take the Apollo installation class, you’re ready to go out
there and do it,” says Travis Montjoy, project manager for All American Roofing. “The electrical
hookups are just simple plug-ins and you don’t need many extra tools, so it’s easy to assemble
and install. The whole process moves pretty quickly. It’s a good system.”
All American Roofing was also pleased with CertainTeed’s customer support throughout the
project. In addition to the installation training, the manufacturer worked closely with the
contractor to find the ideal location for sun absorption on the roof and had representatives
available when questions arose.
“CertainTeed did a really good job explaining how the system works and helping us prepare for
the installation,” says Joe Bowman, vice president of All American Roofing. “They anticipated
what our needs would be and helped us complete the job successfully.”
The Apollo Solar Roofing System features high-performance polycrystalline PV panels designed
to integrate discreetly into standard shingled roofs. The panels are lightweight, durable, resistant
to wind uplift, and can easily be integrated into either an existing roof or with the installation of a
new roof that combines solar panels and asphalt shingles. Unlike rack-mounted solar systems,
Apollo fully integrates with roofing shingles for a clean, seamless appearance. Each slim, 12pound module features 14 high-efficiency polycrystalline silicon solar cells that absorb sunlight
and converts it into electricity. Its lightweight design does not require structural reinforcement or
evaluation, making it easier for contractors to install while maintaining roof deck integrity.
The Apollo system is offered in pre-engineered kits containing all components necessary for
installation. Apollo modules are Class A fire rated and meet UL 1703 requirements. The product
qualifies for a 30 percent federal tax credit and may be eligible for state rebates and incentives
listed at www.dsireusa.org. For more information on the Apollo system, visit
www.certainteedsolar.com.
The Whilden – Page 3 of 3
News Release
The Whilden is a model for green builder Amerisips Homes’ net-zero home brand, Free Energy
Living™ and the flagship home for one of the builder’s new construction projects, the Villages at
St. John’s Woods, which is also located in the Charleston area. To learn more, visit Amerisips at
www.amerisips.com.
About CertainTeed
Through the responsible development of innovative and sustainable building products,
CertainTeed, headquartered in Valley Forge, Pa., has helped shape the building products industry
for more than 100 years. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, the
firm's slogan "Quality Made Certain, Satisfaction Guaranteed," quickly inspired the name
CertainTeed. Today, CertainTeed® is North America’s leading brand of exterior and interior
building products, including roofing, siding, fence, decking, railing, trim, insulation, gypsum and
ceilings.
A subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, the world’s largest building products company, CertainTeed and
its affiliates have more than 5,700 employees and more than 60 manufacturing facilities
throughout the United States and Canada. For five consecutive years, the company has received
top honors from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its contributions in protecting the
environment and was most recently the recipient of the 2013 ENERGY STAR Sustained
Excellence Award. The group had total sales of approximately $3.3 billion in 2012.
www.certainteed.com
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