For Immediate Release
Friday, October 10, 2008
Contact:
Geri Salmela
WCTA
218-837-5151
Menahga, MN — Lambert Renneberg knew he was going to see a change in his energy consumption after he installed a Zenergy system in his home in Menahga, Minn. But what Renneberg didn't expect to see was the drastic difference having solar panels in his yard would bring.
"It was cloudy two days ago," said the owner of Renneberg Hardwoods. "But by gosh, it was sunny yesterday and I saw that I was producing more energy than I was consuming."
Utilizing either solar panels, wind turbines or both, Zenergy systems harness the renewable energy resources that shine down on Renneberg's home every day, with a meter that monitors total energy consumption and creation.
"With the power company, the meter was always spinning," admitted Renneberg. "Yesterday, it wasn't moving at all. Pretty neat."
Renneberg's Zenergy system features 20 individual solar panels in an array that spans 30 feet in length and eight feet in height. Each panel is pitched at a 45-degree angle, facing south.
"With my southern exposure, it was a perfect place for them on my lot," noted Renneberg.
Each solar panel can produce up to 195W of energy per hour. The energy is produced in a direct current (DC) format and sent through an inverter, which then turns the DC power into alternating current (AC). The AC power then supplies the needed energy inside Renneberg's home.
"I've had an interest in solar (power) for some time," Renneberg noted. "I called around and no one seemed to be able to install what I wanted. I called (West Central Telephone Association) and they were here the next day."
WCTA worked with Renneberg to design a system that would supply enough energy to his home, and then some. With the 20-solar panels working around the clock, Renneberg is able to produce more energy than he consumes. The excess energy will then be sold back to the local utility company.
"I've only had the system online for a few days, but I'm already seeing a big difference," said Renneberg. "I didn't get into this for a profit. But being able to see how much energy you're making, that's pretty positive."
Renneberg would recommend the installation of a Zenergy system to anyone who is energy conscious, and says the investment is similar to buying a new car, but with better benefits.
"You buy a car and it runs for 10 years; with Zenergy, you may need 10-15 years to pay it off, but it'll still be running and giving you a return."
Real Time Results
One of the features of the Zenergy system is the logistics software that tracks total energy production and consumption. Zenergy's meter can deliver real-time results through a computer program that will give home and business owners instant feedback on just how much energy they are using.
The Zenergy system has already generated a buzz within Menahga. City Administrator Teri Osterman visited Renneberg's home during the installation of his Zenergy system and praised the resident for doing his part to clean up Minnesota. Osterman also said she would love to lead a charge in Menahga to consider installing Zenergy systems in city buildings.
"I see that it opens so many doors for our city out there…being a leader in renewable energy I just see it as exciting," said Osterman. "I see it as a way to generate energy that will save us budget money in the future and also as a way to help generate a way to keep our taxes from rising in the future."
Osterman also admitted that from a personal perspective, Zenergy makes sense.
"I'm so excited," Osterman said. "My family is always looking for renewable energy options. It's great that someone around here is doing this"
West Central Telephone Association is a full service telecommunications company providing local and long distance services, advanced telephone, broadband Internet services, IPTV, business phone systems, complete telecommunications wiring services and much more.
