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CATs' Solar Office

Listen to the KMUD radio interview about this new solar technology (7 minutes - 6.45 mb) (Text Transcription)

The Californians for Alternatives to Toxics office in Eureka is also home to the latest advance in solar electricity generation: A solar roof!

CATs' high-tech roof is the first in California, and only the second of it's kind in the nation. What makes it unique is that the solar panels are also the roofing material.

Unlike typical solar installations of individual panels held on brackets, flexible strips of bonded steel and silicone were adhered to the roof deck. The strips were joined with battens and edging, then wired to an inverter. The electricity they produce feeds into the grid, running CATs' meter backwards even on cloudy days. The panels also keep the weather out of the building.

Manufactured by Uni-Solar, these solar panels are unobtrusive and aesthetically pleasing. Most people haven't a clue there's anything unusual about the CATs roof until it's pointed out to them.

Manufacturer Uni-Solar, which discounted the panels to CATs, pioneered the technology at its plant in Wisconsin. Funding for the project was provided by a California Energy Commission Public Interest Energy Research grant.

The CATs solar roof was installed by Roger, who also arranged the Uni-Solar donation and California Energy Commission grant. For more information, visit the CATs office or contact Roger at (707) 822-6508.