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“We use probably about five times the energy of the average home,” said Jeff Kahnke, of Northwest Drywall in Redwood Falls.
To help cut down their energy costs, Jeff and his father, Dennis, decided it was time for Northwest Drywall in Redwood Falls to look into solar power.
Planning for the project started in late 2008, but the project was put on hold to see what the state and federal governments’ plans were to help with financing. Tax credits and loans are available for businesses that add solar power to their energy mix.
In early 2010, the Kahnke’s learned they could get a 30 percent tax credit, and a $17,000 grant from the state, and the project was back on.
The whole system will cost about $80,000 when it is completed. However, the grant, tax credits, and depreciation will eventually bring the cost to Northwest Drywall to approximately $26,000.
“There’s about a seven to 12 year payback on them, with depreciation,” said Jeff.
Although there is a 25 year warrantee on the system, Jeff said it could potentially generate electricity for twice that long.
To get the work done, the Kahnkes approached Green Energy Products of Springfield, part of L&S Electric.
It was decided to do the work in two phases. The first part would be three posts in front of Northwest Drywall. The second phase, which is scheduled to happen later this year, will be setting solar panels on southern facing roofs.
The panels in front are capable of generating up to 5,520 watts of energy.
Jeff said when the first three panels are complete, they could pay for up to 40 percent of Northwest Drywall’s electricity costs.
“When Phase II is done, that could pay for about 65 percent our bill,” Jeff said.
Other than the tracking system, the panels have no moving parts to wear out.
(For the rest of this story, see the "Home, Lawn, and Garden" special section in the April 19, 2010 print edition of the Redwood Gazette.)
“We use probably about five times the energy of the average home,” said Jeff Kahnke, of Northwest Drywall in Redwood Falls.
To help cut down their energy costs, Jeff and his father, Dennis, decided it was time for Northwest Drywall in Redwood Falls to look into solar power.
Planning for the project started in late 2008, but the project was put on hold to see what the state and federal governments’ plans were to help with financing. Tax credits and loans are available for businesses that add solar power to their energy mix.
In early 2010, the Kahnke’s learned they could get a 30 percent tax credit, and a $17,000 grant from the state, and the project was back on.
The whole system will cost about $80,000 when it is completed. However, the grant, tax credits, and depreciation will eventually bring the cost to Northwest Drywall to approximately $26,000.
“There’s about a seven to 12 year payback on them, with depreciation,” said Jeff.
Although there is a 25 year warrantee on the system, Jeff said it could potentially generate electricity for twice that long.
To get the work done, the Kahnkes approached Green Energy Products of Springfield, part of L&S Electric.
It was decided to do the work in two phases. The first part would be three posts in front of Northwest Drywall. The second phase, which is scheduled to happen later this year, will be setting solar panels on southern facing roofs.
The panels in front are capable of generating up to 5,520 watts of energy.
Jeff said when the first three panels are complete, they could pay for up to 40 percent of Northwest Drywall’s electricity costs.
“When Phase II is done, that could pay for about 65 percent our bill,” Jeff said.
Other than the tracking system, the panels have no moving parts to wear out.
(For the rest of this story, see the "Home, Lawn, and Garden" special section in the April 19, 2010 print edition of the Redwood Gazette.)
