We always encourage comments and questions.  Thanks guys!

When you think of going solar do you still think of big bulky panels? Going solar can now look good and feel good. #thinkgreengogreen

Carlos Ochoa May 4, 2012

Are they still effective? What’s the cost per kilowatt vs the previous bulky panels?

Century Roof and Solar May 4, 2012

The system is very effective, the solar tiles are Csi technology (1kw per 100 sq feet) and have reduced the clients usage from $450 per month to $6.00 per month. The price per watt is $1.00 more, however the roof under the array locations are new due to the need for BIPV/Roof preparation and this area has pigeon problems that the homeowner did not want to deal with, on a conventional raised panel system. Thanks for asking +Carlos Ochoa!

Construction Dive May 4, 2012

How would they fair in extremely cold or snow-intense regions? On the surface, they definitely look better compared to the bulky panels.

Century Roof and Solar May 7, 2012

+Construction Dive The solar tiles perform very well in snow loading conditions for two reasons. The first is glass laminate with Csi cells (just like standard modules) have a uniform support structure across the entire laminate as opposed to only being picture framed like standard panels. The second advantage is that no snow load will build behind the panels because they are part of the building envelope, although snow guards would be needed to prevent snow run off from snow build up on the array.

Carlos Ochoa May 7, 2012

+Century Roof and Solar Do you know of any solar companies that would donate some solar panels to my university? =)

Century Roof and SolarMay 9, 2012

+Carlos Ochoa I would try contacting Solar Energy International at www.solarenergy.org I know that they get equipment donated to them and they should be able to help.

Carlos OchoaMay 9, 2012

+Century Roof and Solar Thanks!

Visit http://centuryroofandsolar.com

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1. Dark, cruddy looking patches have spread across your roof

Many kinds of nastiness can cause this problem, ranging from fungal infection to the growth of certain types of vegetation to local point source pollution. Not only are these dirty patches unsettling and kind of gross to look at, but they can also be a prelude to more serious structural damage, mold, and other not-so-amazing stuff.

2. Your heating and cooling bills have unexpectedly “gone through the roof” (so to speak)

Depending on the layout of your house, the ventilation in your attic might be creating drafts and other burdens that are forcing your heating and cooling system to work too hard.

Essentially, what happens is that unseasonable weather can cause moisture to get lodged in your attic. This moisture then seeps into the rafters and insulation, causing damage, which in turn causes the energy loss.

3. Peeling or blistering paint

This is another problem often pinned to bad attic ventilation. Major temperature fluctuations (global warming, anyone?) can also imperil both the exterior and interior roof paint job.

4. Post-winter attic leakage

We who live near the Bay Area don’t often have to deal with the kind of icy nastiness that afflicts states to our east and north. But if you live in an area where ice forms, then ice can dam up on your roof and create leaks, particularly if you have poor shingle underlayment.

For help dealing with any roof repair issue in the Bay Area, look to the team here at Century Roof & Solar. Call us now, or learn more about our roofing solutions online.

image sources
image #1: http://www.thesidingguy.com/Softwash.html
image#2:http://www.gwinnettdailyonline.com/GDP/archive/article795CA5E3F4B049D485A98091BD3D880E.asp
image#3:http://uglyhousephotos.com/wordpress/?cat=120
image#4:http://techreport.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=64129

Researchers at the Pacific Energy Center in Northern California, for instance, found that solar panels engineered and deployed during the 1970s (when solar technology was really at the beginning) continue to deliver power today, four decades later, producing power ratings of around 80% of their initial capacity. That’s tremendous efficiency after 40 years of use and abuse – remember, these panels were some of the first ever built and used.

Analysts believe that most solar panels will bleed efficiency at a rate of about 0.5% annually. That means it will take 50 years for your panels to lose just a quarter of their original power.

Factors that may influence the longevity of solar panels:

1. Thin film panels may burn out faster than crystalline panels;
2. Harsh weather conditions (wind, rain, sleet, dust storms, etc) can pummel panels and shorten life expectancy;
3. Dirty, snow covered, scratched up panels are obviously going to get ground up faster;
4. Even after 25 years – a quarter of a century – most solar panels will continue to produce significant power, thus they will almost assuredly easily pay for themselves many times over.

Of course, the quality of your solar panel installation can also be crucial. Trust the team here at Century Roof & Solar to design, test, and engineer the best solar power solution for your home, business, or organization.

We have been the premier solar solution provider for the Bay Area since 1996, and we are masters at installing integrated photovoltaics. Learn about our possible solar solutions for you at www.centuryroofandsolar.com, or call us toll free at (888) 223-7548 to get your project questions answered by our seasoned solar specialists.

Sun image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun

Why GAF won the “#1 slot” for quality yet again:

Advanced Protection Shingles. The company’s proprietary advanced protection technology is innovative to the extreme. It offers better protection against wind and enhanced durability. The GAF shingles improve performance and thus preserve natural resources and energy.

GAF products come with a lifetime limited warranty.

They blow away (so to speak) the ASTM’s two most vigorous wind tests, one of which exerts a 150 mile per hour “mock wind” to test for toughness and durability.

Where can I get GAF asphalt shingles for my project?

The team here at Century Roof and Solar will be more than happy to help you understand the best materials and solutions for your remodeling, building, or roofing improvement project. Our master craftsmen can answer your questions.

Call us now at 888-233-7548, or visit us online at www.centuryrooftile.com, to explore more about what we do and how we can help you achieve your project goals, save money, and get everything done as risk free as possible.

Mistake # 1: Choosing the wrong shape/style.

The most common category is the standard flat style light. These lights generally come in square or rectangular shapes. But you can also find dome skylights, curb mounted lights, and customized shapes and styles. When choosing, most home remodelers only look at one or two aspects… and thus set themselves up to fail. For instance, say you’re just concerned about aesthetics only. So you pick a flat light. But you fail to note the potential for debris from a nearby tree to accumulate on the skylight. Cave in hazard, anyone?

Mistake #2: Failing to note how (or even whether!) the area will get sunlight.

In an ideal world, you want the sun to actually shine through the skylight.

But if you build the skylight at the wrong angle or on the wrong side of a particular room, you will get far less light than you ideally want. Or you might get too much sun! Or sun at the wrong time of day! Or any other number of problems. So you need to pay attention to where and how the sun transits across your home and roof

Mistake #3: Failing to plan to protect against leaks and insulation problems.

If you do your skylight improvement project “DIY,” you can easily make errors that can cost you big time in terms of heat leaching and structural weaknesses. A badly installed skylight is an easy and convenient place for mold, mildew and leaks. What’s frustrating is that your subtle mistakes may only reveal themselves months or years after you finish construction.

To make sure your skylight project goes smoothly – to avoid the subtle mistakes we just talked about that can potentially cost you money, heartache and thousands of dollars – connect with the experienced construction team at Century Roof & Solar.

Call us toll free at 888-233-7548 to get immediate help with your Bay Area skylight construction project.

1. CA’s daytime energy needs met?!

If all of California’s commercial and industrial facilities had solar power panels, we could instantly meet all of the Golden State’s daytime energy needs… without a single other source of energy.

2. Silicon packs a punch!

We all know that solar power is “more efficient” over the long-term than fossil fuel burning. But did you know that a single ton’s worth of silicon (processed into solar panels) can generate as much electricity as half a million tons of coal? Pretty amazing.

3. Storied legacy.

John Herschel, a British astronomer who traveled to Africa two centuries ago, cooked his food using solar power. And none other than Albert Einstein himself won a noble peace prize in 1921 for his solar power experiments.

NobelPrize.org

4. Best Solar on Earth?

Guess what country makes the best use out of solar power, objectively speaking? The US? Some place in the Sahara or Caribbean? Not quite. The answer is… Germany! That’s right:even though Germany is covered with forest — and the country gets savaged by debilitating winters – it beats all other countries when it comes to extracting good energy through solar.

5. Massive long term savings?

If you replace your electric water heater with a solar model, you could slice your water bills by perhaps 50% annually. Let’s break down those numbers. Let’s say $400 every year to heat your water. By this logic, you could save $200 a year just on water heating. Over a decade, that adds up to $2,000 of savings. Not insubstantial!

6. (Near) instant gratification.

When solar energy leaves the sun, it takes just eight minutes to travel from the surface of the sun to hit your panel. Physicists would say it takes “eight light minutes” for the energy to get to you. Curiously, it can take the same energy literally millions of years to travel from the sun’s core to the sun’s surface. So it’s a million year journey from the center of the sun to the surface of the sun… and then just an eight minute journey from the sun to your stove!

7. Easy peas-y.

Going solar is far, far, far, far easier (and far more cost-effective) than it used to be, even a few years ago.

Connect with the team here at Century Roof and Solar to discover your solar solution – not just to protect the environment but to generate real, tangible benefits for your pocketbook and your home.

Call our Diamond Certified Company today at 510-780-9489, or learn more about our premium Bay Area business at www.centuryroofandsolar.com.

1. Walk and bike more. Yes, it’s fun to drive. And yes, if you live in the Bay Area, it could be difficult to get everywhere you want to go on foot or via bike or public transportation. But it’s less hard than you think to toss the car key; as a side benefit, you’ll be able to connect with your local community more.

2. Spend less time talking about “going green” and more time doing it. Every time you speak, you exhale a non-negligible quantity of carbon dioxide into the air. Save your breath… and save the planet.

3. Bedeck yourselves with pine needles. (Okay, maybe that’s taking “go green” a bit too literally.)

4. Educate yourself about going green. Adopting thoughtless, supposedly “environmentally conscious” measures that are not necessarily grounded in science won’t help the earth. It will just feed your ego. The “green” actions you take should be useful for the planet.

5. Connect with other “green enthusiasts” for ideas. You will get more ideas from your environmentally conscious friends and family members than you will from any website or top 10 list.

7. Be mindful of your water usage.

8. Monitor your energy consumption. Some studies suggest that homeowners who pay attention to how much energy they use – who have a monitor that allows them to actually see their consumption habits – subconsciously reduce their energy consumption significantly.

9. Inflate your tires. Poor tire maintenance can not only lead to serious car crashes, but it also leads to fuel efficiency problems.

10. Go solar! It’s easier, cheaper, and more fun to go solar than ever before. The trusted professionals at Century Roof & Solar will help you develop and execute a powerful solar solution. We’re one of the Bay Area’s most-respected roofing contractors.

Find out more about our solar installation capabilities at www.centuryroofandsolar.com, or call us for assistance now at (510) 780-9489.

 #ThinkGreenGoGreen

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But while the world has advanced in countlessly diverse ways since the energy crisis of the 70s, the US-Soviet rivalry of the 80s, the roaring 90s and the boondoggle oughts, solar power has yet to have its day in the sun. We’ve been hearing promises of a Solar Revolution since the 1970s (and even before that), but the technology, systems, and processes simply have not aligned effectively with the marketplace.

No matter what materials you use for your roofing – shingles, slate, exotic new materials – you will eventually have to do maintenance and repair to avoid disintegration, mold, leaks, and other nasty business. Adventurous homeowners may attempt their own maintenance. But beware. Disaster lurks even in this most mundane of chores:

1. You could hurt yourself.

You could get electrocuted by touching a power cord or an electric line. You could fall off your ladder. You could get stung by a bee while scrabbling around on your roof. You could even stick yourself in the eye with a tree branch as you try to yank that tree branch free from your roof or other structure. Let’s not forget the less exotic but no less uncomfortable injuries, such as strained backs, twisted knees, and scrapes and bruises of all sizes.

2. You could forget to check crucial areas.

Imagine you spend a whole day clearing off tree branches and leaves after a big storm. You might feel like a champion, and your wife (or husband) might make you a big bowl of warm soup as a thank you. But you may have ignored crucial problem areas that can come back to haunt you. For instance, your flashings may be warped; this can lead to long-term decay and mold. You might overlook debris hiding in nooks and crevices. You might not notice lichen, mold, moisture, or other metastasizing problems that could eat through your roof, cause leaks, and cause other structural damage or warping.

3. You could fail to protect your roof long-term.

Crazy, woolly winter weather can blow tree branches and other shrapnel down on your house. Failure to coat and protect and stain your roof may lead, indirectly, to gross weathering stains and worse. Failure to identify and repair lose shingles can also lead to damage and time- consuming clean up. Etc.

How can you protect yourself against the dangers of inadequate maintenance — these and other common mistakes that cost homeowners thousands and lead to achy backs and worse?

Connect immediately with the team at Century Roof & Solar. Our premier roof system specialists are famous throughout the East Bay area region for providing excellent service, meticulous maintenance, and long-term help.

That’s the reason why we are known as the most trusted name in roofing. Find out more at www.centuryrooftile.com, or call us at 510-780-9489.

Most people imagine that the hotter the sun’s rays are, the more energy the panels will soak up. Truth be told, solar panels are far more sophisticated, and so many more factors are involved. Indeed, some solar panels function better in cold weather than in hot weather.

This isn’t to say that winter doesn’t bring unique challenges for solar panel owners. For one, the days are shorter during the winter (at least here in the Northern Hemisphere).

Debris, such as leaves, twigs, mulch, and snow and ice, can literally block the solar panels and thus prevent them from extracting energy from the sun or from any other source. To protect the panels, remove snow and other yucky stuff with a snow rake or other squeegee-type edged blade. If you can’t clean your entire roof, don’t fret. Just clear “enough” access.

For instance, say a blizzard dumps 12 inches of snow on your roof. You could devote a day to rigging up a harness and clearing every panel of snow and ice. But this approach is neither palatable nor necessary. Instead, clear what you can — the lower and more accessible panels, for instance — and you will enjoy at least some increased energy collection ability.

Luckily not too many of us in the Bay Area have to deal with blizzards.

To optimize your solar panels for the winter, connect with the team at Century Roof and Solar at 888-233-7548 or www.centuryrooftile.com.

Our trusted Bay Area roofing contractor experts can install premium roof systems, including high caliber solar panels, to save you money long-term on your utility costs, reduce your environmental footprint, and resolve basically any technical issues you have with your roofing system. Learn first hand why we’re considered the most trusted name in roofing in the area.