GE Energy And GAF Material Corporation Form Alliance

GE Energy and GAF Materials Corporation (GAF), two companies with more than 100 years of experience in the energy and roofing industries respectively, have announced a new strategic alliance to market and ultimately develop solar systems and roofing systems for commercial and residential customers.

GE Energy and GAF now offer customers one-stop shopping for new roofs and solar electric systems. Customers interested in purchasing a new roof can have a solar system installed at the same time, providing customers with a more convenient solution for their homes and businesses.

“Combining the expertise and experience of two companies who are leaders in their business sectors, this agreement will help to further advance the use of solar energy technology in both residential and commercial applications across North America,” said Victor Abate, vice president of renewables for GE Energy. “It underscores GE’s continuing commitment to increase the role that renewable resources such as wind and solar can play to meet our nation’s future energy needs.”

According to Dave Harrison, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at GAF, “We are pleased to collaborate with GE Energy on solar roofing applications.

“Solar is a natural fit for our WeatherStopper® roofing systems, which are designed to give property owners their best and safest choice in roofing,” he said. “This strategic alliance with GE Energy will ultimately provide the entire industry with a powerful solution for designing and constructing properties for both new construction and property improvement projects that address today’s fast-evolving, environmentally conscious consumer values, including energy efficiency.”

GAF is one of North America’s largest manufacturers of residential and commercial roofing, with a network of more than 12,000 contractors, distributors and roofing installers nationwide.

Worldwide demand for reliable, affordable and renewable energy has fuelled the solar industry’s 40 per cent growth rate since 2005, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Strong growth is expected to continue, putting solar among the fastest growing renewable energy segments in the global power industry.

Further expanding its commitment to the solar energy industry, GE Energy recently increased its equity share in PrimeStar Inc., an emerging solar thin-film technology and manufacturing company.

GE Energy is a global leader in supplying technology and services for renewable energy, which will be an integral part of the world energy mix throughout the 21st century. In addition to solar energy, GE’s renewable energy portfolio also includes wind power and biomass.