GAF Energy Relocates Headquarters from California to Texas

Georgetown, Texas, October 16, 2025

News Summary

GAF Energy, a tech company focusing on solar panel shingles, will move its headquarters from San José, California, to Georgetown, Texas, effective December 13. This shift comes amid aims for better market opportunities, although it will result in the layoff of 138 employees in California. The move aligns with a trend of companies migrating to more business-friendly states. Georgetown has also approved a $3.24 million incentive package to facilitate GAF Energy’s transition, promising the creation of 265 high-tech jobs over the next decade.

California – GAF Energy, a tech company based in San José that specializes in roof shingles with built-in solar panels, will relocate its headquarters to Georgetown, Texas, effective December 13. The announcement was made in a notification document submitted to California state officials.

The decision to move headquarters stems from better market opportunities in Texas rather than an unfavorable business environment in California. Alongside the headquarters relocation, GAF Energy will lay off 138 employees in California, which encompasses a range of positions including technicians, engineers, and managers. The company’s San José facility, which opened in 2021, was dedicated to research, development, and manufacturing of solar panels. This closure will impact both in-person and remote employees working from the San José office.

Under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), GAF Energy is obligated to provide a 60-day notice prior to mass layoffs. This means affected employees will be informed of the situation ahead of the December closure. The layoffs are part of a broader trend where many companies have been relocating from California, citing strict regulations, high taxes, and expensive labor as significant factors. Notable companies like Tesla, Charles Schwab, and Bed Bath & Beyond have also departed California, often emphasizing challenges within the state’s business environment.

Despite narratives suggesting that California is hostile to businesses, experts argue that the state still offers substantial advantages, including a talented workforce and a thriving atmosphere for innovation. GAF Energy’s relocation is not likely a reflection of these advantages being diminished but rather an alignment of its operational needs with market conditions in Texas. The company aims to consolidate its operations at the new headquarters to achieve greater efficiencies and collaboration.

GAF Energy is a subsidiary of Standard Industries and had previously opened a manufacturing facility in Texas in 2021. In connection with the new headquarters, Georgetown, Texas, has approved a $3.24 million incentive package to attract GAF Energy, featuring tax rebates and cash incentives. At the time of the incentive approval, GAF Energy was anticipating the creation of 265 high-tech jobs over the next decade, alongside a projected investment exceeding $100 million.

The move to Texas signifies a continued trend of California-based companies migrating to states perceived to be more business-friendly, with Texas currently leading in housing permits and renewable energy production across the U.S. GAF Energy’s solar shingles, a significant part of their product lineup, embed solar panels directly into roofing materials, offering a practical solar solution in an evolving energy landscape.

Conclusion

As GAF Energy prepares to suspend all operations in California and transition to Texas, the company emphasizes that the motivation for the move is fundamentally about market alignment and opportunity rather than a critique of California’s business landscape.

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Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH

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