SunTegra In The News

Elon Musk announced SolarCity is working on a solar roof that was “not a thing on the roof” but “the roof.” The promising idea could offer an alternative for those who don’t like the look of traditional rooftop solar panels, but it looks like Musk won’t be the first to create a solar roof. New York-based company SunTegra Solar Roof Systems (formerly Integrated Solar Technology) has already installed integrated solar systems in the northeastern United States and California.

Solar shingles are a great option for installers seeking a sleek, integrated way to produce PV energy on residential roofs. Still, the technology hasn’t caught on quite like solar panels mounted to rails. We interviewed Oliver Koehler, CEO and founder of SunTegra, to learn more about his company’s solar shingles, including the power they produce, how they’re warrantied and what are the steps to installation.

SunTegra’s solar shingle sales started picking up as soon as Dow Chemical Co. announced it would stop taking orders for its solar shingle product. No sooner had Dow Chemical Co. ended production of its Powerhouse solar roof shingles than Tesla Motors Inc. CEO Elon Musk announced he was getting into the market.

Tesla isn’t without its competitors, even in the solar roof business. Other companies like SunTegra and Solarmass have integrated products as well, and there is also a sizable list of failures, such as SunEdison’s Ready Solar and PV shingle offerings from Dow Chemical. Speaking after the vote, Musk said that after conversations with SolarCity engineers, “it’s looking quite promising that the solar roof will cost less than a normal roof before you even take the value of electricity into account.”

As Tesla completes on the acquisition of SolarCity and its solar tile technology, Nick Flaherty talks to Oliver Koehler, an industry veteran with over 15 years of experience on the market and technology challenges. This week sees the completion of the deal for Tesla to take over SolarCity, creating a company that captures energy from the solar tile on the roof to feed the home battery and the electric car. But SolarCity is not the first into the market for solar tiles and shingles in the US, and there are pitfalls.

Elon Musk’s highly publicized new solar roof tiles are exactly the type of innovate product that could revive consumer interest in the industry—especially given Mr. Musk’s track record of success. Instead of attaching large rooftop solar panels to an existing roof, solar roofing tiles effectively replace (or cover) the existing shingles. Of course, Mr. Musk isn’t the first to wade into the solar roofing tile space. A few other companies have been selling different solar roofing tile designs for the last few years. And one such company – SunTegra Solar – has had a lot of recent success.

“The construction industry is evolving into a dynamic mix of technology experts and energy innovators working directly with builders to create the homes of the future. In 10-15 years, we’ll see the integration of smarter technologies as commonplace in the design and build process.

Oliver Koehler, CEO of SunTegra, believes the Tesla solar roof marks the start of the PV mass market—and offers an opening for competition. Solar has been on an amazing growth trajectory. As we approach the milestone of 2 million homes with solar power, we need something more beautiful to reach the mass market. Enter the Tesla solar roof.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the six winning companies of the 76West Clean Energy Competition, one of the largest competitions in the country that focuses on supporting and growing clean-energy businesses and economic development. Skyven Technologies, a solar heating company from Dallas, Texas, has been awarded the $1 million grand prize, and will expand its operations in the Southern Tier. The competition complements “Southern Tier Soaring,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development.

As the solar market continues to reduce cost and expand toward mainstream adoption in the United States, more homeowners are demanding customized solutions that look better than traditional panels. Oliver Koehler and his team at SunTegra have been at the forefront of roof-integrated solar since 2013, anticipating this growing segment within the residential solar market. Today, SunTegra has made the solar roof a reality.