Sixteen years in the making. Built to be built.
Architect John Rountree drew the first Energy Roof in 2010: a roof that wouldn’t just carry solar panels but would be the building’s energy system. In 2026, John teamed with mechanical engineer Beda Pormentilla to take the concept from patent drawings to a validated, manufacturable product — forming Energy Roof Systems LLC in New Jersey, completing a CFD thermal-design campaign, and launching a full-scale prototype program with instrumented testing at the Rutgers EcoComplex.
The team
John Rountree — President. Architect and originator of the Energy Roof concept (patent drawings, 2010). Leads architectural integration, building applications, and partner design coordination.
Beda Pormentilla, P.E. — Vice President. Mechanical engineer and university professor. Leads system engineering, thermal simulation, and the prototype & testing program. Founder of engineering consultancy Bedatek LLC.
Sam Willis — Engineering Intern. Supports the engineering and funding workstreams — grant-program research, energy analysis, and test-program logistics.
Working with: Rutgers EcoComplex — Clean Energy Innovation Center · NJEDA · Commission on Science, Innovation & Technology