Focus

Although some roofing contractors are becoming involved with installing roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) systems, most are not and may not be planning to do so anytime soon. Why, then, has there been so much focus on roof-mounted PV systems?

The answer is that roof-mounted PV systems offer the greatest growth potential and market shift the roofing industry has seen in a long time. Because of an increasing interest in and demand for solar energy in residential and commercial applications, it is widely believed it is only a matter of time before roof-mounted PV systems become mainstream, providing an efficient energy source to homeowners and building owners. And when that happens, NRCA wants roofing contractors to be the first people consumers turn to for expertise, installation and maintenance.

Professional Roofing hopes the articles in this issue will help achieve that goal. In this issue, you'll find out how PV panels are tested by Northbrook, Ill.-based Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (see page 32); learn more about NRCA's and the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing's new initiative to train and certify roof-mounted PV system installers (see page 38); and read about a self-sustaining home powered in part by a roof-mounted PV system (see page 34).

In addition, NRCA University will be holding its educational course Rooftop Photovoltaics: Energizing Your Business in Austin, Texas; Las Vegas; Atlanta; and Baltimore during the next six months. The course provides the latest information about the terminology, benefits, design considerations, construction details, electrical considerations, code compliance, and business and legal issues associated with roof-mounted PV systems. For specific locations and dates, log on to www.nrca.net/rp/education/nrca/classschedule.aspx.

Although no one knows how quickly roof-mounted PV systems will gain market share, clearly they are on the rise. NRCA is taking the initiative to gather and disseminate information so roofing contractors can continue to "own the roof."

Ambika Puniani Bailey is editor of Professional Roofing and NRCA's senior director of communications.