GAF Energy will build a state-of-the-art solar roofing testing facility and launch a round of Building Integrated Solar (BIPV) testing thanks in part to investment from the U.S. Department of Energy.

The testing project aims to develop, test, and validate a combination of optical, thermal, and energy models for roof-integrated solar shingles to improve understanding of the benefits solar shingles provide in heating and air conditioning efficiency for the home, according to GAF.

The facility will be equipped with weather, PV, and temperature monitoring. GAF Energy is partnering with Sandia National Laboratories and its network of Regional Test Centers on the project. The company has conducted ongoing testing of solar roofing with Sandia National Labs since 2021.

“Solar roofing offers the opportunity for residential solar to reach the mainstream and testing is critical to further innovation in this sector,” Martin DeBono, president of GAF Energy. “We’re thankful to the Department of Energy for their ongoing commitment to supporting clean energy innovation and we’re looking forward to continuing our partnership with the experts at Sandia National Labs to verify the performance, durability, and benefits of solar roofing.”

The U.S. DOE award was announced earlier this year as part of a broader $71 million investment, including $16 million from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, in research, development, and demonstration projects to grow the network of domestic manufactures across the U.S. solar energy supply chain.

GAF’s Timberline Solar features a nailable solar shingle and is only roofing system to directly integrate solar technology into traditional roofing processes and materials, according to the company. GAF recently celebrated the completion of a new 450,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Texas. The company is conducting a search for the location of the new testing facility.