April 2009 Alliance member update
- The Economic Outlook for the U.S. and Construction Industry
- Climate Change
- Current Innovations in Solar Technology in the Roofing Industry
- Update From the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing
- Funding for Florida Rooftop Solar Research Approved
- Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Program
- Alliance Project Updates
- State of the Alliance
- Finances
- Minutes
Joining the Alliance for a third time, the well-respected Dr. William (Bill) Ford
offered attendees his view of the economic outlook for the U.S. and construction
industry. During his lively presentation, Dr. Ford discussed the economic outlook
and the following gross domestic product (GDP) forecast risks:
- Expanded financial, stock market, auto and other industrial crises
- A prolonged housing/subprime mortgage and construction loan markets meltdown
- Sharper increases in auto, credit card and home equity line delinquencies
- Renewed U.S. dollar weakness
- Stronger negative GDP trends in 2009
- Resurgence of increased oil prices and energy costs
- International instability and terror risks
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Climate Change
Principal and co-founder of Innovo Energy Solutions Group LLC Daniel Emmett
reviewed climate change in regards to opportunities and obstacles for the roofing
industry. Serving as an advisor to the California Environmental Protection Agency,
Emmett reviewed greenhouse gas emissions, regional climate initiatives and cutting-edge
materials available for living roof systems, cool roof systems, integrated solar
roof systems and building-mounted wind components.
Click here to view Emmett's presentation.
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Current Innovations in Solar Technology in the Roofing Industry
Panelists Michael Gumm, president of Corporate Roof Consultants; Rob Kornahrens, founder, president and CEO of Advanced Roofing Inc.; and David Riley Ph.D, associate professor of architectural engineering at Penn State University, presented Current Innovations in Solar Technology in the Roofing Industry.
Michael Gumm reported that in 2008, the U.S. added 342 megawatts of photovoltaic
power. He also addressed codes and standards for photovoltaics in roofing, photovoltaic
project financing—including American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grants,
understanding performance-based designs, and new solar products and installations.
Click here to view Gumm's presentation.
Rob Kornahrens provided great information about working with the federal
government and the billions of dollars allocated for energy programs in the stimulus
package. Click here to see his presentation.
He also provided an overview of current technologies on the market today—distinction
in solar photovoltaic vs. solar thermal, residential photovoltaics and commercial
integration.
David Riley's portion of the program reviewed the results of solar contracting
case studies, effects of new solar technologies on solar contracting and the effect
on construction education. The MorningStar Home at the Penn State Visitor Center
serves as a teaching and research facility, and its hybrid energy system has a car-home
interface to power automobiles. Click
here to check out Riley's presentation.
Following their presentations, Gumm, Kornahrens and Riley answered questions about solar technologies and ARRA from the audience.
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Update From the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing
The center's Research Director Dr. Jim Hoff presented an update from the Center for the Environmental Innovation in Roofing. The center recently developed and published Successful Rooftop Photovoltaics: How to Achieve a High-quality, Well-maintained Compatible Rooftop PV System, which is available free on the center's Web site, www.roofingcenter.org. Click here to view Hoff's presentation.
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Funding for Florida Rooftop Solar Research Approved
Dr. Hoff also presented the Alliance with a field research proposal addressing photovoltaic roof system integration in Florida. Using the Florida solar database consisting of about 6,000 installations, a survey instrument will be developed to monitor roof system performance during the next few years. The objective is to develop reliable data to support successful rooftop photovoltaic installations. The Alliance board of trustees approved funding for the project. Click here to read the proposal.
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Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Program
The board of trustees approved three awards for the Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Program at $5,000 each and five renewals as part of the former scholarship program, which is being phased out, at $1,000 each. The three awards will be named the Dan Cohen Scholarship; the Firestone Scholarship; and the Fred Good Scholarship.
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Alliance Project Updates
President Bob Bueche provided updates to these important programs and projects:
Florida International University Wall of Wind
Penn State University Research
Roof Reflectivity Study
Helping Our Own Program
2008-09 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Program
Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Sweepstakes
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State of the Alliance
Vice President Reid Ribble led breakout discussion groups to get feedback
from the Alliance. A recent survey sent to members identified two primary threats:
interference from the government and other trades involving themselves in roofing
work. Members also identified challenges to the roofing industry, including workforce
concerns, education and training concerns, roofing industry image and the economy.
(Click here to view the full
presentation). He then asked the groups to answer the following questions:
To what extent do you agree with the identified threats and challenges, and what other threats concern you?
What other challenges do you see for the roofing industry?
What projects should the Alliance undertake to address the threats and challenges?
What ideas can you offer to the Alliance to improve our messaging of who we are and what we have accomplished?
The Alliance Branding Task Force will review and analyze the input from the discussion groups to develop recommended next steps.
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Finances
Bill Hamlin, chairman of the Finance and Financial Development Committee, presented the Alliance's 2009-10 operating budget, which was approved by the board of trustees, including funding for the Florida Rooftop Solar Research project. Jack Krapf of The Krapf Group of Merrill Lynch also presented his overview on market conditions—he believes the market will climb during the next six to nine months but has concerns with new policies the new Obama administration is trying to implement. He will keep a watchful eye on Alliance funds. Click here to read his presentation of the Alliance's investment performance fund.
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Minutes
To read the full meeting report of The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress meeting, click here.
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