A local, family owned company, Solar Roofs is the innovation leader of the solar water heating industry with several U.S. patents and groundbreaking innovations. Our founder and president, Al C. Rich, is a Department of Energy award winning inventor with 28 years of practical solar experience and his vision is the foundation and inspiration of Solar Roofs. We are an international manufacturer with our facilities located in Sacramento County and we are proud to serve as a SMUD approved, C-46 solar contractor. Our team of highly skilled professionals is dedicated to delivering superior quality and service to our valued customers.

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Below are some relevant qualifications and achievements of Al C. Rich.

1986-2007

Founded ACR Solar International and subsidiary, Solar Roofs, in 1997 to manufacture Fireball 2001 (now Skyline) solar water heaters and develop other patents and designs.

• Designed UP44T storage system, passive T20, "Islander", "Fireball 2001", and "MegaMat" systems.
• Awarded U.S. Patents for the "Fireball 2001" in 1999 and on the MegaMat in 2000.
• Founder and President of American Solar Network, Ltd., Herndon, VA in 1988, a socially responsible, innovative technology company which manufactured the "Skylite" solar water heater.
• Invented, patented, prototyped and manufactured the award winning "Skylite" solar water heater in 1988, the only truly attractive, skylight appearing solar system in the world.
• A second patent on the unique collector venting system was granted in 1994.
• One of less than 580 out of over 30,000 applicants to be recognized by the DOE Energy Related Inventions Program (ERIP). A $99,294 Grant Award was made in Sept. 1993 for further research.
• Consultant and Lecturer on Inventors at the University of Virginia under a Leadership, Science and Humanities Program Grant from National Science Foundation and National Endowment for the Humanities. (5/93)
  
• Moved ASN, ACRS and family to Carmichael, CA in Dec. 1992 to participate in the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Solar Program created by S. David Freeman.
• Won both SMUD "Auditor Program" bid rounds for $629,250 in total Contracts in 1993.
• Secretary of the Sacramento Chapter of the National Solar Energy Industries. Assoc. (SEIA)
• ASN won DOE National "Award for Energy Innovation" with state of NH. (10/92)
• First in the Nation to receive national Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) OG-300 ratings.
• Consultant to GreenPeace and PrimeTime Live on Whitehouse "Solar Gate" story.
• Completed 27 unit HUD contract in Norton, VA at record low cost, 1992 (under $2,000 per unit).
• Member: Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA); International Solar Energy Society (ISES); American Solar Energy Society (ASES); American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, (ASHREA); International Association of Plumbers & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Northern California Solar Energy Association.
• Consultant and Contractor to: Rockwell International, Energy Technology Engineering Center; Solar Energy Research Institute for DOE; National SEIA; SANDIA National Laboratories.
• Assisted in US Senate Subcommittee Hearings, Installed White House "Pageant of Peace" PV system.

1977 - 1985

District Manager for Sears Solar, (American Solar King) Herndon, Virginia branch.

• Developed top producing Sears Solar branch in the nation with $2.5 million in sales and 53 employees, demonstrated excellence in management, team building, motivation and profitability. (83-85)
• President, Cambridge Alternative Power Company. (81-82)
  
• Chairperson of the New England Solar Energy Association (NESEA) Bay Chapter Solar DHW Committee.
  
• Speaker for NESEA on Solar water heating, at MIT, Cambridge, MA
• Member, Governor Dukakis Energy Advisors Committee
• Member and organizer, Earth Day Committee, Boston, MA
• Entrepreneurship speaker at Babson College, Wellesley, MA.
• Consultant and trainer for companies entering the solar industry. Held professional sales and install seminars.
• Marketed & Improved Heliophase, a unique, freeze-proof, passive solar DHW system.
• Installed first two solar systems for the U.S. Navy at the Indianhead, MD Navel Ordinance Station.
• Member Board of Directors, NH Solar Energy Association.
• Studied Solar under Bruce Anderson, author of "The Solar Home Book".
• Member: Senior Environmental Seminar; Planner: "Living Lightly" Lifestyles Conference; Installed Solar Thermal Air Panels (TAPs); founded "Think Tank Table". (Principia College, 1978-79)
• Studied solar, methane gasification, composting, and water rams at New Life Farm, Drury, MO.
• Installed "Trickle Down" pool heater, Buena Vista, Co. (1977)