If you own a commercial building in the San Francisco Bay Area, we extend you sincere congratulations and condolences. The COVID Pandemic has been hard on commercial property owners since many businesses have been hesitant to staff their offices in 2020 and 2021 fully. With that said, your property still stands, and it requires regular maintenance and occasional roof repair.

 Just Leaks is a commercial roofing company that specializes in flat, industrial roofs. Our family-owned business has served the San Francisco Bay Area for several decades, and we have seen many different commercial roofing systems throughout our careers.

 One of the most frequent questions we get from commercial property owners and commercial property managers is: “How do I decide which roofing system is best for my building(s)?

 The answer is often, “It depends.” Essentially, the roofing system you choose for your business needs to fit your business tenants’ needs, what you want your power bill to look like, and how much Return On Investment you want from your commercial property.

The truth is that we recommend an in-person meeting at your commercial property so we can fully assess the size of the building, the current state of your rooftop, and discuss your goals over the short and long term. After the Just Leaks team meets with the property owner and property management company, we can dial in the best roofing system for your industrial roof(s).

 With that said, here are a few things to consider when evaluating roofing systems:

 Are you trying to lower the power bills for your commercial property(s)?  If yes, consider a cool roof system that makes the roof’s surface white and reflects a lot of the sun’s heat. To add, you can turn your roof into a quasi-profit stream if you add solar panels on your flat, industrial roof(s).

 Just Leaks has access to a software estimate system that will configure a solar panel system ideal for your commercial room and provide accurate cost and savings profiles. All we need from you are copies of your winter and summer electrical bills, plus the address of the commercial building.

 Saving money — better yet, making money — off of solar is a wise investment for forward-thinking commercial property owners and property managers. This means you won’t have to rely upon your tenants for positive cash flow on your property solely!

 Are you remodeling an old, rundown commercial building?  If yes, you may want to consider installing a brand new industrial roof. If your property experiences frequent leaks and the roof shows signs of extensive decay, a new roof on your business property could be the best solution. You may decide to make it into a cool roof system with solar panels as well.

 Is your roof in good shape, but your budget doesn’t allow for a new roofing system yet?  If yes, annual or semi-annual roof maintenance may serve as your best solution. Just Leaks works with commercial property owners and property management companies to inspect the roofs, service the roofs in preparation for the rainy season or soaring temperatures, and make repairs as needed. 

 When we see issues that endanger your roof, such as moss, algae, debris, pooling of water, and areas that cause leakage, we can clean, repair, and maintain your rooftop, so you don’t have to worry about incurring more damage later. To add, our team would be delighted to help you find ways to get more ROI from your flat, industrial roof so you can further help your business tenants as we continue to navigate this global pandemic. 

 If you are interested in learning about the various roofing systems or installing a solar system on your commercial or industrial building(s), call Just Leaks at (408) 249-4646 for an in-person consultation.

Biden Administration’s Solar Blueprint and California’s Fight To Continue The Growth of Solar

Climate change is a hot topic that is not going away anytime soon. With record-breaking temperatures, storms, droughts, and flooding events, the Biden Administration published its Solar Blueprint. This document outlines the studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to envision a decarbonized grid and solar’s role in it.

Here are some excerpts from the Solar Futures Study:

“A dramatically larger role for solar in decarbonizing the U.S. electricity system, and energy system more broadly, is within reach, but it is only possible through concerted policy and regulatory efforts as well as sustained advances in solar and other clean energy technologies.” — Solar Futures Study

If we follow this solar blueprint, we will see a drastic decrease in fossil fuels and a steep increase in solar power and other zero-carbon power production. The charts below show a progression of the U.S. Electric Grid in 2020 compared to the decarbonized grid in 2050, which is 30 years away.

When this study was published, the California Solar + Storage Association jumped into action and released this official statement on September 8, 2021:

“On Wednesday, the Biden administration’s Energy Department released a blueprint to produce 45% of the nation’s electricity through solar energy by 2050 as a critical part of the effort to fight climate change. A new report from the Energy Department clarified that meeting the goal requires the U.S. to “install an average of 30 G.W. of solar capacity per year between now and 2025 and 60 G.W. per year from 2025-2030.” That commitment means an immediate doubling of the amount of solar being built today. In 2020, the U.S. installed a record 15 G.W. of solar power, bringing total capacity up to 76 G.W., representing 3% of the national electricity supply.

At the same time, in California, the Newsom Administration’s Public Utilities Commission is moving towards a critical decision that will determine whether rooftop solar continues to grow or whether the state puts the brakes on this form of popular clean energy. At issue is the future of net metering, which makes rooftop solar affordable for everyday consumers by blocking discriminatory fees and compensating people for the excess energy they produce and share with their neighbors.” — CALSSA.org

Solar industry experts from CALSSA state that “The timing of this study couldn’t be better as some California decision-makers consider buckling under pressure from utility interests to do the opposite of what President Biden is calling for: speed up the growth of solar, not slow it down.”

The California Solar and Storage Association (CALSSA) released the following statement on the Biden administration’s plan from CALSSA executive director Bernadette Del Chiaro: 

“Solar consumers, workers, small business owners, and clean energy advocates all over our state applaud the Biden administration’s goal to produce nearly half of our national energy from the sun within the next 30 years. The new plan aligns with California’s established goal of getting to 100% by 2045, but puts a clear emphasis on the here and now by showing the near-term needs for solar growth today, not just in 25 years. 

No matter how you add it up, these ambitious and necessary clean energy commitments will require a lot more solar energy, not less. California, and America at large, need all forms of solar energy to grow, including utility-scale solar that investor-owned utilities prefer. But to make the transition to 100% clean energy and make that transition less expensive for ratepayers while helping conserve open space requires advancing rooftop solar in a big way. 

Because of rooftop solar’s essential role in meeting state and national clean energy goals, it is especially puzzling that the CPUC is considering drastic changes to net metering at the request of large investor-owned utilities. Proposals by the utilities would pull the plug on the expansion of rooftop solar by making it prohibitively expensive for consumers of all types to benefit from solar in their homes, businesses, and schools.  

The utility-driven effort to kill rooftop solar in California is out of step with our clean energy goals at a time when the climate crisis demands we help a lot more people go solar.” 

Additional Roof Top Solar Resources 

Cost savings: A new grid modeling report from Vibrant Clean Energy shows growing local solar and storage would save California ratepayers $120 billion over the next 30 years, the equivalent of $295 per year for the average California ratepayer. Utility proposes to curb rooftop solar would have the opposite effect. By essentially halting the local solar and storage market and turning potential savings into costs borne by consumers, the utility profit grab would cost California tens of billions over time and each ratepayer $295 a year.

Ability to scale up fast: California is currently building a power plant’s worth of rooftop solar – 500 megawatts – every five months. Rooftop solar can be up on homes and apartments in a matter of days and operating on commercial properties in weeks — faster than any other reviewable energy can come online. By contrast, utility-scale solar projects take an average of six years to complete.

Land use: A new study by Environment California found that building 28.5 GW of rooftop solar, rather than utility-scale solar, would enable California to maintain existing land uses on more than 148,000 acres of land, an area about half the size of the City of Los Angeles.

Why Should I Care About This Solar Futures Study?

Simply put, if you own a commercial property with a flat, industrial roof, the financial return on your investment could be greater if you installed solar panels on your rooftop. Not only will you be helping planet Earth by reducing carbon emissions, but you could be earning money through energy credits, property appreciation, and increased rental rates.

But this fight for building out more solar power sources isn’t over. To continue the movement for the growth of solar, CALSSA has launched a $1 million fundraising campaign. They are seeking donations by September 30 to defend the initiative’s time constraints. To donate today and learn more, visit the CALSSA website.

“California’s world-renowned solar market is under siege by some of the country’s most powerful fossil fuel industry players,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar and Storage Association. “We can win, but we need everyone to stand up and help us fight.”

Just Leaks is proud to help the solar market continue its growth within California, and that is why we hope you will join us in moving solar power forward by installing solar panels on the roofs of your commercial properties.

Here are some benefits of solar energy for commercial buildings: 

1. Solar power is an excellent return on investment. We like to think of solar panel installation as an investment, not an expense. 
2. Solar panel installation will reduce your operating costs. We strongly believe the cost of installing solar panels will more than pay for itself over the lifespan of your solar panel system. 
3. You can easily predict your future energy bills. A commercial solar panel system will dramatically reduce your energy costs, and you will know exactly what to expect each month. 
4. You are eligible for tax credit and bonus depreciation when installing solar panels on your commercial or industrial roofing system, especially since we live in California. 
5. You will now be committed to green and clean energy. Not only is this good for the environment, but you will be sharing a positive message with your customers. 
6. Most importantly, commercial solar panels require little to no maintenance and are built to withstand rain, hail, snow, and any other elements you can think of. 

If you are interested in learning about installing a solar energy system on your commercial or industrial building or would like to hear more about the financial benefits of this system, call Just Leaks at (408) 249-4646.

Photo by Eric Aiden on Unsplash

When you need service on your commercial roof or a new roof altogether, how do you look for a contractor to meet your needs? Hiring a commercial roofing contractor can seem daunting if you don’t know what virtues to demand.

 Unless you have gone through some of the terrible things that can occur when you make a hasty, easy choice, you likely won’t know what kind of qualifications and measures you need for your contractor. Here are six things every business should look into when hiring a roofing contractor:

 How long have they been in business? There’s tension in repair contractors between having years of experience and the most recent training. If they’re just getting started, will they have the experience to know what kind of issues your roof is facing?

1. Do they have the most recent training in equipment? A seasoned organization will have a better grip of your issues, but are they a bit anachronistic– can they take you forward into new technology? Your business needs a contractor that knows a lot and grows into new technology and craft.
2. What’s their reputation? It’s essential to know what kind of local reputation a potential contractor has. Ask for examples of previous clients they are free to disclose to find out how the business feels about their work and the warrantied work they are still receiving to this day.
3. What’s covered in an estimate… and what isn’t? There shouldn’t be ambivalence in a quote for work to be done. In any situation where you request a quote for specific work, the contractor should look through all the details and be very specific about your money and the labor that it will take to accomplish the task. Nothing should be vague or left to chance.
4. Are they on the up-and-up? Do they have the proper coverage– are they licensed and insured? You might get a great price quote from a small independent, but if they have no accident coverage and no intention of fixing errors they cause in the course of the job, what good are they to your business?
5. What can they do to save my company money? Are they working in the kind of materials that can provide maximum efficiency? Can they set you up with solar collectors to reduce your power costs?

  Just Leaks in San Jose, CA can tick all of these boxes. Our experienced roofers are constantly training and improving, with a stellar reputation. Our standing in the community comes from our being a licensed, insured outfit. We have a world of options to save you money over the years and help pay for the work we’re doing. Visit our website https://justleaks.com or give us a call today at 408-249-4646 to request an estimate!