Pinn Brothers Fine Homes to Standardize Solar, Beginning with 455 Homes in Brentwood

Old Country Roofing and BP Solar Partner with Innovative California Homebuilder to Go Solar
August 15, 2007

Brentwood, CA Pinn Brothers Fine Homes, an innovative Northern California homebuilder, today announced that it is adopting an aggressive regional strategy to standardize solar energy into its building practices. The first community where these solar electric systems will be featured is in the City of Brentwood, where Pinn Brothers has started construction on 455 single family homes.

Old Country Roofing (OCR), Northern California's largest roofing company, will install the solar electric systems using its comprehensive turn-key solar roofing solution. Working closely with its supply partner, BP Solar, OCR will install a BP solar electric system on each home. The homes will feature BP Solar's premium solar products for the new home market, including BP Solar EnergyTile™ roof integrated solar modules and BP Solar Integra® low profile solar modules.

Robert Taylor, Mayor of Brentwood and solar advocate, says he is excited about this development and what it will mean for Brentwood.

"There is no doubt that solar power is the way of the future. Given the choice, I believe that Brentwood homebuyers will choose to purchase a home that generates its own electricity versus one that doesn't," says Mayor Taylor.

"I installed a solar system on my own home, and my electric bills have gone down dramatically. Pinn Brothers and Old Country Roofing are installing the systems during construction, which makes solar even more affordable because the cost is included in the homebuyer's mortgage."

Alan Pinn, President and Founder at Pinn Brothers Fine Homes, says his company is dedicated to helping make Brentwood the most solar-friendly city in California while working toward the California Solar Initiative's goal of having one million solar homes.

"We're starting in Brentwood, but we plan to take the solar message across all our communities in California," says Pinn. "We agree with Mayor Taylor that there is no reason to have a roof that doesn't generate power when having one that does is simple, cost-effective, and extremely beneficial to the environment."

"Pinn Brothers is a family business that cares deeply about the well-being of our community and the environment. We believe in a company-wide philosophy that supports sustainability and healthy living - from our family to yours, we offer only the best homes built to exceed all expectations."

The Palmilla community sits on more than 100 acres in the heart of Brentwood, and units are expected to range in size from 1,363 to 3,516 square feet. All homes will also exceed state energy efficiency standards by 35 percent or more thanks to tankless water heaters, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, additional insulation, and Solarban® high efficiency windows that block out 70% of UV rays. With the combination of both solar and energy efficiency, homebuyers are expected to save 50 to 70 percent on their electricity bills. Home sales are expected to begin later this year.

About Pinn Brothers Fine Homes
With their family name on every home and community they build, Pinn Brothers Fine Homes has been committed to providing homebuyers with quality, distinction and value for more than 30 years. It is through an unwavering dedication to building in superior locales and utilizing impeccable workmanship that has made Pinn Brothers one of the nation’s top builders. For more information on the Company and their distinguished new homes and communities throughout the Bay Area, please visit www.pinnbros.com.

About Old Country Roofing and OCR Solar Solutions
Founded in 1967, OCR installs on average more than 10,000 roofs each year. Located in Vacaville, California (with six branch offices in Northern and Central, California and Reno, Nevada), OCR has more than 650 employees and works with 100+ homebuilding companies as well as homeowners for which they provide re-roofing services. OCR is the first roofing company in the country to receive the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) Research Center’s prestigious National Housing Quality (NHQ) Certification. This official certification recognizes OCR’s excellence of workmanship and the effectiveness of their Quality Assurance Program and commitment to customer care. For more information, please visit www.oldcountryroofing.com.

About BP Solar
BP Solar is a key business within BP Alternative Energy and a global company with over 2,200 employees focused on harnessing the sun's energy to produce solar electricity. This includes the design, manufacture and marketing of quality solar electric systems for a wide range of applications in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. With over 30 years of experience and installations in over 160 countries, BP Solar is one of the world's largest solar companies and has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Spain, India and Australia. For more information, please visit www.bpsolar.us.

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