Residential BIPV Custom Home

iPower® Completes BIPV Custom Roofing System on New Construction Project in Hawaii

"Looking at my beautiful slate roof, it's still hard to believe it is also a power plant.  iPower's designers and engineers worked hand-in-hand with my architect and contractor, speaking the same language.  iPower® understood the architectural sensibilities so important to the structure's design.  I had no doubt my solar system would be seamlessly integrated and highly efficient.  But I'm still amazed by its aesthetics."
Owner Robb Reed

Novato, CA -  Integrated Power Corporation (iPower®) has completed a custom BIPV solar system for a beachfront 5,000 sq. ft. new construction residential project on the Kohala Coast in Hawaii, working with local contractors, the architect and the all-important Home Owners Association.

The 16Kw solar energy project uses 417 building-integrated slate grey Solar Save modules manufactured by Open Energy and three iPower® SHO Grid Tie inverters.  The BIPV modules give the custom home the beautiful appearance of a slate roof while producing clean renewable energy.  The  iPower® solar system will produce 24,000 kWh annually.

“This new construction project posed interesting challenges for our design and engineering experts, who worked closely with architect Weigang Marvick & Associates on the project,” said iPower® CEO Eric Pollock.  “The spacious residence was designed with a large interior courtyard.  Architecturally interesting, the roof has three separate areas of solar installation, each with a varied pitch hip transition.  Even though the angles might seem slight to some, iPower® took special precautions to assure maximized energy production for each of these varying slopes during sun exposure, designing separate strings of PV modules for each individual plane.” 

iPower’s® ability to work successfully with the resident’s Home Owners Association, whose job it is to assure aesthetics as well as code requirements, proved crucial in helping move the project along its projected construction schedule.  The environmental impact of the project on the neighborhood was recognized by the HOA:  the solar system eliminates 19 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

 “Looking at my beautiful slate roof, it’s still hard to believe it is also a power plant,” says Robb Reed, owner of the property.  “iPower’s® designers and engineers worked hand-in-hand with my architect and contractor, speaking the same language.  iPower® understood the architectural sensibilities so important to the structure’s design.  I had no doubt my solar system would be seamlessly integrated and highly efficient.  But, I’m still amazed by its aesthetics.”

Special consideration was given to the property’s location, which is very susceptible to high winds.  iPower’s® engineers specified extra blocking and security measures for the installation.  Local iPower® partners were architects Weigang Marvick & Associates, contractor PBCC, Torres Roofing and Home Convenience Center.  “Our great partners enabled us to provide the most efficient, aesthetically-pleasing solution at the best cost, and with the all-important local touch,” stated Pollock.

Integrated Power Corporation designs high performance, renewable pure energy systems for commercial, new construction and residential applications using cutting-edge solar technologies. With extensive background in “clean technology” investments and financial analysis, iPower® advises clients on obtaining the highest return on investment while eliminating electric bills and protecting the environment.  Integrated Power's iPartner℠ alliance, which represents more than one billion dollars of market access, brings together the best partners from distribution, electrical, roofing, architectural and engineering to provide a level of expertise, delivery, financial stability and professionalism no individual company could deliver.  Integrated Power Corporation partners with its clients to provide turnkey installations or can pass the project over to the contractor.