FACT SHEETS AND FAQs

Ranging from the global to the personal, there are many compelling reasons to adopt renewable energy. The preservation of the environment, the need for energy independence, the cost of electricity, and financial incentive are just a few. See our FUNDING page for more.

Building your renewable energy system will take both technical skill and customer service. Our technology and people are uniquely qualified to guide you through the process:

Firsthand experience. We research and test everything ourselves. As part of West Central Telephone Association, the same systems we install for our customers supply energy for our office and telephone backup systems.

Simple talk. Most people don’t want an energy seminar, just what’s relevant. We present the options in a way that lets you focus on the big picture decisions of your installation.

Design aesthetics. We work with you to design a system that integrates with the existing look and layout of your property.

Monitoring. We’ve worked closely with the makers of EnergyTraker to bring you this feature. Zenergy systems offer the option of tracking your system’s energy production in real time from your PC.

You can learn more about the Zenergy process in PRODUCTS or you can go to READY TO TALK to arrange a conversation with a Zenergy specialist.

It is more common for traditional utility company customers to grid-tie their renewable-generated electricity to the utility power grid. However, for customers in remote areas where there is no grid (and for the very ambitious) stand-alone systems can provide all your electricity, depending on your energy consumption and installation. It should be noted that a stand-alone system generally requires a greater investment in solar panels and batteries to ensure continuous power for times when there is little sun light.

See the ZENERGY SOLAR GUIDE to compare the relative capacity of a common solar panel to several household appliances.

While most panels in the northern hemisphere are installed facing south under ideal conditions, panels facing east or west still capture a high percentage of the solar energy. Many rooftop commercial installations point straight up at the sky.

Solar panels are extremely durable. Tested to withstand hail damage, rain and snow, they offer manufacturer’s warranties as long as 25 years. The panels may need to be cleared of snow and debris to work at top efficiency.

In a word - No. All Zenergy installations are designed with your input to work with the existing aesthetics of your property. In many cases, our installations are able to blend in with the structures already in place.

There are many rebates, grants and tax breaks currently available for home or business owners installing renewable energy systems. Click here to learn more.

In addition to adding value to your commercial or residential property, the primary long-term financial advantage of renewable energy is the ability to offset your monthly electric bill by producing part or all of your own electricity. On grid-tied systems, you can even make money if you make more energy than you use. See “sell-back” below.

In some states including Minnesota, electric utility customers with a grid-tied renewable system can receive market value credit from the utility company when they generate more electricity than they use. This surplus is sent back through the grid where it is literally “sold-back” to the utility company.

The short answer is, it depends. There are several factors in determining how long it will take to recoup your initial investment. Among them are:

• Installation materials and labor
• Electricity consumed vs. generated
• Utility company buy-back
• Amount of sun or wind
• Government rebates and incentives

Our first step is always to conduct a quantitative, cost-savings consultation. A thorough understanding of your energy needs and the attributes of your property are necessary before any detailed estimates can be made. Go here if you’re READY TO TALK.