State of the Union Gave Solar Shingle Company a Boost

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (WJBK) -- This time last year they were preparing to head to Washington D.C. for the State of the Union address. A local roofing company was pumped up by President Obama and business has been booming ever since.

First came the innovative idea. Laminate solar panels into metal roofing shingles to create clean electricity.

Luma Resources of Rochester Hills did it and then the president came calling.

"Robert and Gary Allen are brothers who run a small Michigan roofing company. In Robert's words, 'We reinvented ourselves.' That's what Americans have done for over 200 years," President Obama said during the State of the Union.

"I was humbled by the whole experience then and still because of the continued magnitude of having the most powerful man in the world use your story in the most important speech he does," said Robert Allen.

One year later, Allen is still in awe of all that's transpired. After the State of the Union address, calls and emails started pouring in, then appearances on local, national and international television, then orders from around the world.

"Our footprint went from just local, Michigan, to national first and now international," Allen explained.

A solar roof in Jamaica is just one of many in remote locations where energy costs are literally through the roof.

Luma's energy saving shingles can also be found closer to home on a church in Warren and a firehouse in Rochester.

Allen recently returned from his latest trip to Jamaica where their solar shingles will also be installed on a private residence and several resort buildings. There's also been interest from Hawaii, New Zealand, West Africa and the Middle East.

There's been non-stop interest from investors and suppliers and speaking engagements across the globe.

Allen says he's even working on a humanitarian project at a school in Jamaica. The money they save on electricity will help feed children who might otherwise go hungry.

"If we can use our product to help create jobs, to help create energy, to bring light to dark places, then I will have felt like it's all been a success," said Allen.