Sustainable Series: Supplying the Sun in Sachem

One of the largest, most recognizable photovoltaic (PV) solar systems in Sachem is the 30-kilowatt (kW) system atop the Lake Grove Town Hall at 980 Hawkins Road. The company responsible for that is Advance Solar PowerIncorporated (ASP).

Founded in 2005, ASP, at 1600-3 North Ocean Avenue in Holtsville, is a LIPA certified contractor and member of the Long Island Solar Energy Industries Association (an important  organization we will soon discuss). In addition, ASP is owned and operated by a master electrician with 25-years experience in the electrical industry. 

"I've been doing it a long time," said ASP president Ken Vogel, who got into the solar game after a friend introduced him to photovoltaics. "I began researching it and it looked like it was good for a number of reasons: it was a good business move, good for the environment, and good for the future of our country."

For the past five years, ASP has grown into a seven-person operation, including Mr. Vogel's partner and vice president, Dan Gutiw, as well as a full-time salesman, three installers, and an office manager. The company is fully insured to install PV solar systems and solar hot water systems on both residential and commercial structures. No electrical work is subcontracted by ASP – they do work with a licensed plumber when needed – and according to Mr. Vogel, the company uses American-made products whenever possible.

"We use many different types [of solar panels]," he said. "We were using Evergreen when they used to be manufactured in the US – we were pushing them hard for four years or so, but now they took their manufacturing and moved to China. Really, we use top-named brand modules that have a good performance history."

No matter the product, all solar panels used by the company are warrantied for 25 years. And while ASP has installed the system in Lake Grove, and also landed a contract to install a 40-kW system for the Unkechaug Indian Nation, Mr. Vogel said ASP's work is 80 percent residential and usually takes three to five days to complete.

Before starting a project, though, ASP does its homework. Preliminary customer information is obtained upfront. The most important information obtained is a home's annual kWh consumption. The next most important factors are the condition of a home's roof, the orientation of the roof (south facing is best), and shading.

"Shading is very important," Mr. Vogel said. "If you have shade you will have to remove trees. Usually we come out to a house, do a shade analysis – which is pretty sophisticated – and find out the shading. Partial shading is okay – 80 percent – but the essential thing is how much power do you as a customer use a year."

You can find out by calling LIPA at 800-490-0025. Whether or not you already know that information, cost is a concept familiar to all, and one that is often misunderstood when it comes to solar.

"It's not as expensive as it's perceived to be," Mr. Vogel said. "The payback is about five years right now. For a system that is going to give free electric for 30 years, that's a good investment."

Helping make that investment more feasible are the government and LIPA incentives which are outlined here, on ASP's website. Also helping make the investment of a system feasible is the fact that ASP offers financing options including deferred payment for a year. But even with the incentives and financing options , Mr. Vogel acknowledged the need for further intervention, specifically with commercial projects.

"Right now the incentives are not to the point of attracting more commercial business," he said. "Even residential we need more. We need cost to come down."

One option Mr. Vogel pointed out was in the way of the time of use metering, also understood as a home or business with a solar system getting paid more for electric produced during peek hours. Still, viewing a solar system as an investment is persuasive, and one that has helped ASP growth thus far.

"It's a misconception that it's not worth it, that is far from the truth," Mr. Vogel said. "It does take a commitment, but your car you lose money as soon as you drive off the lot. Solar increase the value of your home immediately and it pays itself back probably for an excess of 30 years."

Sachem Patch Sustainable Series

Week 1: Introduction to the Series

Week 2: Towns of Islip and Brookhaven Already in the Green Game

Week 3: Becoming Efficient and Saving Money with National Energy Audits

Sustainable Series Useful Terms List