Solar Electric, Hot Water and Add a Company to the Directory
Thermal Installers
Alternative Energy
Tech Check
a quick overview of the technology with resources for more information
There are four types of solar energy: passive solar, solar hot water, solar thermal, and solar electric
Passive solar requires no special equipment like the other types of solar energy do. The purpose is to orient the windows in your home and make use of blinds to heat your home using the sun’s energy. You can also use thermal mass (concrete, brick, etc.) to absorb the heat from the sun and distribute it through the house. Passive solar can work for everyone.
Solar hot water functions in much the same way as geothermal systems do. However, instead of using the heat underground, you are using liquid-filled tubes to transfer the sun’s energy to your hot water tank. This can work for nearly everyone, but you will have to take your climate into consideration when choosing the type of solar hot water system to use. Solar thermal can be used for anything from radiant heated floors to heating the water in your pool. In any case, this system functions the same as solar hot water systems do.
Solar electric makes use of photovoltaic panels to collect energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. "Thin film" solar is also coming to the market and uses another technology to harvest the sun's rays. Though costs come down every year, solar-generated electricity is currently the most expensive form of solar power. It also requires a certain amount of uninterrupted sunlight each day. You can generally get about one KW of power (panels) per 100 square feet of roof space. The following three steps can be used to figure out how large of a solar electric system you would need to take care of all of your electricity needs.
First, to determine the size of your system, you first determine how much energy you need on a daily basis in watt-hours (Wh). This data can be found on your electric bill on a monthly basis if you have one for your location. To estimate the energy usage on a daily basis, take your monthly estimate, which is in kilowatt-hours, multiply by 1,000 to get it in watt-hours and divide by 30.
Second, you need to determine the solar insolation value (the measurement for the strength of the sunlight striking the earth) for your site. Solar insolation data for all over the world and at different times of the year has been investigated and recorded. The peak, average and lowest annual solar insolation values for several different USA cities can be found here. Choose the city closest to you in the table and that will give you a good estimate of the amount of solar insolation for your location. If you're going to be totally disconnected from the electric grid then you will need to use the minimum solar insolation value for your location. If you're going to be feeding your electricity into the electric grid then use the average solar insolation value.
Lastly, you need to divide your estimated daily energy usage by the solar insolation value and multiply by a system inefficiency factor: Total Watts of Solar Electric Panels Needed = [(Daily watt-hours)/(solar insolation)] x Inefficiency Factor (the inefficiency factor for systems that are disconnected from the electric grid (off-grid) is 1.3. For systems that are connected to the grid, that value is usually assumed to be 1.2).
You can use the National Renewable Energy Lab's Buffets calculator to find out how solar electric panels could perform at your location.
Learn more at Windsocks.com and by calling the professionals listed here.
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www.altern-energy.comBill Finch
107 Wooded Acres Lane
Downingtown, PA 19335
(484) 593-4262
bill@altern-energy.com
Company Overview
A unique, green-home supply store featuring efficient appliances, electronics, lighting, plumbing, and heating as well as solar alternatives from heating hot water and generating electricity from your roof to charging your laptop and iPod device.
Products & Services
Energy audits and remediation. ENERGY STAR certified household appliances. EPA WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures. Low-flush and European-style dual-flush toilets. On-Demand hot water heaters. Radiant floor heating supplies. Solar panels and installation. Inline water coolers. Lighting supplies. Wind turbine kits for residential use.
Certifications
EPA WaterSense Partner/Supplier. ENERGY STAR Partner/Supplier. Energy auditor is LED, AP, PMP certified.
ASET Solar
www.asetsolar.com
Kelly O’Brian Gavin
240 Market Street
LL20, Box 11A
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 244-2951
FAX: (570) 244-2853
Kelly@asetsolar.com
Company Overview
Solar installations and manufacturing of solar panel racking units.
Products & Services
Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic designs and installations for residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural.
Certifications
Currently no certifications exist; however we do have licensed engineers and certified electricians.
Aten Solar Corp
www.atensolar.com
Yousri Abdou
705 Brinley Ave.
Bradley Beach,NJ 07720
(800) 310-7271
201-755-6170
FAX: (732) 782-0350
sales@atensolar.com
Company Overview
Aten Solar is a dynamic company poised for the innovative yet increasingly practical use of solar energy. Aten Solar is focused on providing solar panels and balance of systems (BOS) solutions for a variety of sectors and applications.
Products & Services
Design and installation services in pole, ground, co-gen and BIPV based projects. Thin Film (A-Si), Aten Solar Module 40/42 watt, Kaneka GSA-60 60 watt module, C-Si, and Suntech 170. Evergreen 180,190 watt. GE Energy 200 watt module and many models of Sharp solar panels.
Creative Dwellings, Inc.
www.creativedwellingsinc.com
Kevin Castellan
30 Sycamore Ct.
Media,PA 19063
(610) 476-4155
FAX: (610) 565-6160
kevincastellan@CreativeDwellingsInc.com
Company Overview
Principal has 30 years hands on experience working in residential construction and understands the importance of a systems approach when looking to design energy efficiency into residential projects.
Products & Services
Consulting and installations of many energy efficiency products. Stocking installer of Nyletherm-1 domestic water heating, heat pump water heaters. Experienced installer of uni-solar photovoltaic, particularly their flexible solar shingles. Retrofitting existing residential heating systems to horizontal ground loop geothermal heating systems. ClimateMaster hydronic and forced air systems
Certifications
Bachelors degree in science from Brown University. Approved contractor with the Sustainable Development Fund's photovoltaic grant program. Certified Installer with International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA)
East Coast Solar, Inc.
www.eastcoastsolarsystems.com
Steve Gensel
2122 Walnut Bottom Rd.
Carlisle,PA 17015
(253) 243-2704
(717)609-2681
sales@eastcoastsolarsystems.com
Company Overview
East Coast Solar is a solar energy products distributor located in central PA.
Products & Services
Consulting, design, installation, and support on top brand solar energy products. We carry most major brands including 50% USA made evacuated hate tube collectors with a 10 year manufactureres warranty. Wind turbines and solar electric systems for home or business.
Certifications
We offer SRCC certified products eligible for Federal and State tax credits.
Envinity, Inc
www.envinity.com
Chris Lehman
331 East Foster Ave.
State College,PA 16801
(814) 231-3927
FAX: (814) 231-1862
clehman@envinity.com
Company Overview
Envinity is a green design-build company in State College, PA specializing in custom home design and remodeling.
Our mission is to create sustainable housing in Pennsylvania through intelligent planning, innovative products and reliable services. As designers and building professionals, we are guided by a deep reverence for the natural environment.
Products & Services
Our services include Energy audits, EnergyStar certification, High performance HVAC system design and installation & Renewable energy system design and installation.
Eos Energy Solutions
www.eosss.com
Andrew Kleeman
2206 Mount Vernon Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 431-0565
akleeman@eosss.com
Company Overview
Eos is a full service photovoltaic integrator. With our California sister company, Ojai Solar, we have designed and/or installed PV systems in PA, FL, NC, TX, and CA. We find creative approaches to making PV cost-viable.
Products & Services
Feasibility analysis, System design, Project financing, procurement, and installation of commercial and larger residential PV systems.
Epoch Solar Innovations
www.epochsolar.com
Pat Hastings
1632 Laura Lane
Pottstown, PA 19464
(484) 524-8812
FAX: (484) 524-8812
pat@epochsolar.com
Company Overview
Epoch Solar Innovations was founded to provide economical, custom designed solar solutions for homes and businesses interested in gaining independence from traditional utility providers. Developing efficient solar solutions that reduce energy usage and save our customers money helps to contribute to a cleaner, energy independent future.
Products & Services
Our services include: design, installation, site survey and assessment services, contractor services, maintenance and repair services.
Certifications
Certified, Florida Solar Energy Center. Fat Spaniel Technologies Certified Installer. Find Solar Listed Pro.
EPV Solar
www.epvsolar.com
Rick Holmes
General Manager for Integration Services
EPV Solar, Inc.
8 Marlen Drive
Robbinsville NJ 08691
609-587-3000
r.holmes@epvsolar.com
Company Overview
EPV SOLAR, Inc. is a New Jersey-based multinational solar photovoltaic company manufacturing and deploying thin-film solar technology. Our modules are strong in long term solar output, and are noted for being frameless and translucent. We service the commercial and industrial markets only, since our solar PV systems are not suitable for personal homes. We won the 2007 Clean Energy Manufacturer of the Year award from the NJ Clean Energy Program. As EPV Solar we have installed 5 projects but as a staff we have collectively installed about 250 solar PV systems with previous employers. (wondering what "thin film solar" is? check out the links in the side bar)
Products and Services
We manufacture our American made panels and provide a complete turn-key system with outstanding service. Our staff has many years of collective solar experience in everything from the construction aspects to Solar Renewable Energy Certificate considerations.
Finley Shapiro Consulting, Inc.
www.finleyshapiro.com
Finley Shapiro
2021 Rodman St.
Philadelphia,PA 19146
(215) 545-4364
FAX: (215) 545-4364
fshapiro@verizon.net
Greentree Solar
www.greentreesolar.com
Jeff Varkonyi
107 Washington Avenue
Northampton, PA 18067
(484) 241-4658
jeff@greentreesolar.com
Company Overview
Greentree Solar serves all of your Solar Energy requirements for residential and commercial applications. Our mission is to provide solar energy for the benefit of our customers, employees and future generations so they may inherit an environment that allows for their health, wealth and happiness.
Products & Services
Greentree Solar provides Solar PV (electricity) and Solar Thermal (hot water) products and services for residential and commercial applications.
Heat Shed, Inc.
www.heatshed.com
Charles Reichner
P.O. Box 336 / 267 Rock Ridge Rd.
Revere,PA 18953
(610) 847-2064
FAX: (610) 847-2110
charlie@heatshed.com
Company Overview
Since 1975 Heat Shed, Inc. has been involved in the energy business. For the last seven years we have focused our work on photovoltaic for residential and commercial use. We design and install solar electric systems and provide a complete turnkey service
Products & Services
We design and install solar electric systems for residential and commercial applications including utility interconnection. We can offer financing and are fully knowledgeable regarding available state and federal grants, tax credits or rebates.
Certifications
SDF, NJCEP, NYSERDA, SUNPOWER, SHARP, SMA, SCHUCO, UNISOLAR, BP
INeedSolar.com
www.ineedsolar.com
Mike Barnes
195 Pine Woods Road
Wellsville, PA 17365
(800) 932-5007
(717) 308-0560
Company Overview
Founded in 1985, our newest venture is Solar Power. We provide energy solutions to commercial and residential customers in PA.
Products & Services
Solar product installation and service, electrical construction including generators, backup power, lighting retrofits, intercom, networking, security, wireless LAN/WAN, fiber optic, coax, cat 6 cabling, voice, video, CATV .
Certifications
Fully insured and licensed.
PDR Assocs Energy Group
www.pdrassocs.com
Peter Duttaroy, PE
8 Packard Rd., Suite 1
East Brunswik, NJ 08816
(732) 390-8069
(732)207-4270
FAX: (732) 390-0250
info@pdrassocs.com
Company Overview
PDR Associates Energy has been providing professional design engineering and installation services in renewable energy and conservation fields for 15 years. We have been providing services in Pennsylvania with the support of few PA corporations who are
Products & Services
Renewable Energy Industry experience to perform investigation, report, design, specify, pricing, installation, and coordination for operating systems. Also Build-own-operate for large projects. Hybrid, on-grid and off-grid. Also we have been providing
Certifications
Peter is a degreed electrical engineer (BS) and a registered Professional Engineer (PE) and has a Master in Business Adminstration (MBA).
Renovus Energy Inc.
www.renovusenergy.com
102 Cherry St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 277-1777
FAX: (607) 277-1277
natalie@renovusenergy.com
Ross Renewable and Green Solutions
www.Rossmechanicalgroup.com
Ross M Goldstein
Vice President
814 Welsh Rd
Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
Solar@rossmechanicalgroup.com
Company Overview
Ross Renewable and Green Solutions is part of the Ross Mechanical Group. Ross Mechanical was established in 1976 and Ross Renewable and Green Solutions was created two years ago. We service the needs of commercial, industrial, institutional and municipal customers located throughout the Delaware Valley (Philadelphia, PA) region. One of our internal mantras is that we would rather sleep at night, than put out a cheap product.
Products & Services
We offer the following products: American Solar Works-Evacuated tube solar hot water systems, Aquatherm Solar pool heating systems, Enerconcept - Commercial and industrial air pre-heaters, Enerworks - Commercial flat plate collectors, Energy Kinetics high efficiency boilers, Intellidyn - Energy reduction controls, IMC-EAGLE web enabled differential controllers, Purist Energy residential and light commercial solar pumping stations with Internet access, Resol differential controllers, and more.
Certifications
We are Green Advantage certified, we are an Energy Star certified partner, have numerous Solar Hot Water classes certifications, and we are working towards our NABCEP solar thermal certification.
Solardelphia
www.solardelphia.com
Jude Webster
443-445 West Girard Ave., Unit 2B
Philadelphia,PA 19123
(215) 351-1616
FAX: (267) 293-0188
info@solardelphia.com
Company Overview
Solardelphia was founded in January 2002 by Jude Webster. Our goal is to help facilitate the use of renewable and sustainable clean energy systems by the mainstream population in the Tri-State area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Products & Services
Full service consulting, design and installation of affordable Solar and Renewable Energy Systems for home and business including Solar Electric Systems (Photovoltaic), Solar Domestic Hot Water, and Small Wind Turbines. SunPower, Conergy, SunWise, Profes
Certifications
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
Solar Tech of PA. Inc.
www.solartechofpa.com
Gregory Hess
108 Blacksmith Rd.
Camp Hill,PA 17001
(717) 856-1228
1-877-636-3475
FAX: (717) 761-1514
gshpro@comcast.net
Company Overview
Solar Tech of PA. is a solar company based out of Harrisburg, but services the state of PA as well as NJ and MD. We specialize in practical renewable energies applications, and work with our customers to meet their specific needs. We have over 20 years in the solar power business.
Products & Services
We provide solar products, services, and installs, PV, Geo-Thermal, Wind, energy audits, commercial and residential. Please visit our website for more detail on our products and services.
Certifications
NABSEP, SEI, and HVAC, certified electricians and plumbers.
Solar Technology Solutions
www.laceyelectric.com
Dean Arnold
2670 Leiscz's Bridge Rd. Suite 100
Leesport, PA 19533
(610) 926-7100
FAX: (610) 926-7103
darnold@laceyelectric.com
Company Overview
40 years of electric engineering. Less than one year in Solar, but gearing up to be a major part of the Solar Energy advancements in PA; One project has already been completed. Able to do major commercial Solar installations over a megawatt, but also willing to take on the smaller residential jobs.
Products and Services
GE 205-M Solar Modules, made in Delaware; Solectria Inverters, Dealer, made in Mass.; Polar Bear Panel Claw ballasted racking; Unirac racking, for non-ballasted systems, made in NM.
Certifications
National Electric Code Certified Electricians; AFC First Certified for HELP (Home Energy Loan Program) installations contractor
SunTechnics Energy Systems, Inc., a Conergy Company
www.suntechnics.com
Gary Sheehan
222 W. Lancaster Ave., Suite 200
Paoli, PA 19355
(610) 647-3809
FAX: (866) 436-6114
g.sheehan@suntechnics.com
Company Overview
SunTechnics provides project development and turnkey EPC service for renewable energy systems, specializing in commercial and utility scale solar photovoltaic systems
Products & Services
Solar photovoltaic systems (commercial and utility scale). Fixed Tilt and Tracker Systems. Complete solar PV systems - commercial and utility scale
Certifications
NABCEP certified, Registered Professional Engineers, Licensed in PA, NJ, NY, DE, CA, CO, other states pending
Third Sun Solar and Wind Power, Ltd.
www.third-sun.com
Michelle Greenfield
340 West State St. Unit 25
Athens,OH 45701
(740) 597-3111
FAX: (740) 597-1548
info@third-sun.com
Company Overview
Third Sun Solar & Wind Power, Ltd. Is a design-build specialty contractor serving the renewable energy market. We supply consulting/design services and full turnkey solutions for new and retrofit projects in the commercial, institutional, and residential
Products & Services
Commercial solar electric systems, residential solar electric systems, solar water heating systems, and system consulting and engineering. SUNPOWER, SHELL, BP, EVERGREE, SHARP, OUTBACK, XANTREX, SMA, FRONIUS, UNIRAC, SUNEARTH, HELIODYNE, BERGEY, BOGART
Certifications
Factory trained by Outback and Bergey Windpower. Factory trained by Sunpower, 2 NABCEP Certified solar pv installer and 2 GLREA certified solar pv integrator/installer.
Transtech Technologies Inc.
www.transtechtechnologies.com
Erik Sarson
3253 D Old Frankstown Rd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15239
(724) 327-6600
FAX: (724) 327-6601
info@transtechtechnologies.com
Company Overview
Transtech Technologies Inc. has been an energy efficiency pioneer since 1987, working in the efficient devices and controls business. Transtech Technologies now offers solutions that simplify renewable energy, allowing you to significantly reduce your costs over time and improve the value of your business. Flexible financing options allow you to work within your budget and needs.
Products & Services
Solar Photovoltaic, Solar Thermal, and Wind Energy Systems. See website for brands
Certifications
North American Board of Certified Energy Practicioners (NABCEP) entry level - July 2008
Vox Energy Solutions LLC
www.voxenergysolutions.com
8890 Peebles Rd.
Allison Park,PA 15101
(412) 366-4361
FAX: (412) 366-4362
Company Overview
Vox Energy Solutions is an alternative energy company located in the north hills of Pittsburg. We design, install, and maintain Solar, Wind, and Solar Hot Water Systems throughout the Tri-state area. We also develop, install, and maintain unique
Products & Services
Design, installation, sales, and service of solar, wind, and solar hot water systems. Full electrical services, site feasibility inspections and design services, permit acquisition services for code compliance. Federal, state, and local tax credit
Certifications
Members of American Solar Energy Society, American Wind Energy Association
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