by Mr Hugh
2009 November 19
http://navyyardsc.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/green-roofs-are-born-here/
They’ve got to come from somewhere, and that place just happens to be here in the Navy Yard at Noisette. Green Roof Outfitters, or G.R.O. is the regions first company designing, growing and installing modular Green Roofs.
First, what is a Green Roof? Put simply, Green Roofs are living additions to roof structures. Their environmental impact is tremendous. They reduce storm water runoff, reduce the “heat island effect,” reduces pollutants & increases oxygen, extends roof life by 2-4 times, lowers energy costs, lowers noise level, creates urban green space and even help reduce our carbon footprint.
They can come in many different varieties, but G.R.O. has found that the plant variety of Sedum Succulents works particularly well in our climate, including both winter and summer. Because they are succulents they require very little water to survive, while retaining significant amounts of what does comes there way. Not to mention, they only initially require fertilizer, and won’t ever need it again, great news for the health of rivers and streams.
G.R.O’s innovative modular system makes installation much quicker and simpler than any other system available. Each module is 4′x4′ and weighs about 80 lbs. fully saturated. An innovative aspect of the modular systems is the addition of small wells within the units, allowing them to store water until the plants need it. The modules are produced here in South Carolina of 100% recycled plastic.
Founders, Mike McKenna & Michael Whitfield
Water collected from nearby roofs to help get seedlings started. 
