GAF Energy Shifts Operations to Texas, Cuts California Jobs
GAF Energy, a manufacturer of nailable solar shingles, has closed its San Jose, California, research and manufacturing facility (opened in 2021) and relocated its headquarters to Georgetown, Texas. All future production will occur at its new Texas factory, resulting in layoffs for 138 San Jose employees in December 2023.
The company cited evolving solar industry dynamics and a strategic pivot toward markets with stronger demand among builders and homeowners as reasons for the move. President Martin DeBono stated, “We are aligning our business to focus on key markets where solar is most compelling.”
Texas Expansion and New Products
- GAF Energy’s 450,000-square-foot Texas factory opened in May 2024 to scale production of its Timberline Solar Energy Shingle, launched in 2022 and billed as the world’s first nailable solar shingle.
- In February 2024, the company unveiled an upgraded ES 2 solar shingle, boosting output to 57 watts per shingle—a 23% increase over its predecessor.
