Rep. Panetta Announces New Federal Investment in Local Solar Roof Research, Development, and Innovation
San Jose, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced a new $1.6 million federal investment in local solar roof innovation with San Jose-based company, GAF Energy. The company is a U.S. manufacturer, with its 112,000 square-foot combination R&D and manufacturing facility located in South San Jose. The funding, made possible through the Biden Administration’s clean energy agenda and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will support GAF Energy in its continued research and development of its solar shingle technology.
The selected project aims to develop enhanced testing for GAF Energy’s roof-integrated solar shingles, Timberline Solar™ Energy Shingles, to improve energy efficiency and climate resiliency. As part of the project, the company will build a testing facility to further innovate this technology. GAF Energy is partnering with Sandia National Laboratories and its network of Regional Test Centers on the project.
“To tackle the threat of climate change, we need to invest in new technologies that will significantly increase our supply of clean, renewable energy,” said Rep. Panetta. “This federal investment will help drive innovation in building-integrated photovoltaics, like solar shingles, and accelerate their integration into building designs for our homes. California’s 19th Congressional District remains a leader in innovation, and I look forward to continuing to ensure the federal government plays its part in the clean energy transition.”
"We’re grateful to the Department of Energy and Congressman Panetta for investing in solar roof testing and innovation,” said Dr. Gabriela Bunea, Chief Solar Innovation Officer at GAF Energy. “We believe that product innovation in the residential sector is critical to expanding the benefits of solar energy. We look forward to developing this new testing project with the Sandia National Labs—they have been at the forefront of world-class energy research for more than 70 years.”
This support for solar innovation is one of eighteen projects selected nationwide aimed at addressing gaps in domestic solar manufacturing capacity. These efforts complement and strengthen the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal to rapidly deploy clean energy to help achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Learn more about the Solar Energy Technologies Office, the office’s strategy to build a robust domestic solar supply chain, and DOE’s Solar Photovoltaics Supply Chain report.
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