Bresslergroup-designed products win two Popular Science Awards: New, award-winning roof tile design takes the ugly out of rooftop solar energy

Philadelphia, PA. – November 12, 2009. Two energy-saving products, designed by Bresslergroup, have been recognized with prestigious Popular Science “Best of What’s New” awards. “Designing energy-saving products that can help consumers -- right now -- is gratifying for the firm,” said Mike Flanagan, managing partner, Bresslergroup. The award-winning products are:

The Thermal Leak Detector (Black & Decker) is a hand-held device that helps homeowners locate energy leaks around the house. Small leaks around doors and windows and through wall cracks can lose as much energy as a two-foot hole in the wall, accounting for as much as one-third of a home’s energy loss. With the lightweight, easy-to-use Thermal Leak Detector, homeowners can quickly find energy leaks; sealing leaks can help save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs. And as temperatures drop and energy costs climb, the Thermal Leak Detector will pay for itself in lower heating bills. The Thermal Leak Detector retails for approximately $49.99 at major home improvement and hardware stores. According to Flanagan, the trick was to create a design that screamed “easy to use” to the consumer: color-coded lights indicate where hot or cold leaks are detected.

The Solé Power Tile ™ (SRS Energy) represents the next generation in solar roofing, combining photovoltaic electricity generation with actual roofing tile. Instead of bulky solar panels perched on top of roofs, the Solé Power Tile™ is the first building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing product designed for roofing systems.  The Solé system blends seamlessly with several styles of US Tile’s clay tiles, providing energy without unsightly solar panels and preserving design flexibility and curb appeal.  SRS Energy consulted with Bresslergroup during the design development of the Solé Power Tile.

The SRS Energy Solé Power Tile ™ employs cutting-edge thin film solar technology, valued for its ability to convert a greater spectrum of light into electricity, as well as its relative insensitivity to heat when compared to other solar technologies.  As a complete roofing system, the barrel tile profile allows for airflow beneath the tiles, reducing the overall cooling needs of the home. SRS Energy and US Tile are currently launching the Solé Power Tile ™ system in select West Coast markets and will begin a nationwide rollout of the product in 2010.

 “For 22 years, Popular Science has honored the innovations that surprise and amaze us – those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our views of what’s possible in the future,” said Mark Jannot, Editor-in-chief of Popular Science.  The Best of What’s New Award is the magazine’s top honor, and the 100 winners – chosen from among thousands of entrants -- represent the highest level of achievement in their fields.”

Bresslergroup‘s team of industrial designers, engineers, and product designers are recognized nationally and internationally for their design work across a wide range of industries and products, ranging from an ergonomically-refined ice-cream scooper (Cutco), to sleek hotel room safes (ASSA  ABLOY), to hospital laboratory equipment (Becton, Dickinson). Founded by Peter Bressler, the firm will mark its 40th anniversary in 2010.

About Bresslergroup Inc.
Based in Philadelphia, Bresslergroup offers innovative product solutions via integrated user research, industrial design and production engineering. The consultancy serves consumer, medical, office and industrial goods manufacturers. Since its founding in 1970, Bresslergroup has won more than 80 major design awards including Appliance Design, IDEA and iF Hanover. Bresslergroup has also authored more than 100 patents. www.bresslergroup.com

About Best of What’s New
Each year, the editors of Popular Science review thousands of products in search of the top 100 tech innovations of the year; breakthrough products and technologies that represent a significant leap in their categories. The winners are awarded inclusion in the much-anticipated December issue of Popular Science, the most widely read issue of the year since the debut of Best of What’s New in 1987.

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