Electricians Future Tied to Solar Energy

By TIM LANDIS (tim.landis@sj-r.com)
THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
The evolution in technology from streetcar motors to solar energy covers 106 years for Haenig Electric Co.

It’s a small evolution at this point, when it comes to solar.

A recently added solar division has three small-scale projects that are among the earliest commercial ventures in what remains a relatively young industry in Illinois, especially compared to wind.

Federal economic stimulus grants also helped make the projects possible.

But owner/project manager Rich Marsaglia, who put months of research into creation of a solar division, said he hopes the projects are the start of something bigger for sun-powered electricity.

“It’ll catch on. It just takes a few of these to get going,” said Marsaglia, whose parents, Mike and Debbie, bought the company in 1980.

Zero energy bill?

A first group of 16 panels installed by Haenig has been generating electricity since early this month at the Southwind Park development on Second Street. The pole-mounted panels have a capacity of 3,000 watts per hour, though in ideal conditions the figure is higher.

“It’s a small percentage of their needs, but it’s 3,000 watts of free energy” said Marsaglia.

A Web-based system allows the company to monitor output, which varies minute-to-minute, depending on atmospheric conditions. But modern panels still produce electricity in relatively low light, said Marsaglia.

While central Illinois is not Arizona or California, Marsaglia said the region does have potential for solar power.

“We have quite a bit of sunlight. In Arizona, it sometimes gets too hot, and we can continue to produce electricity all winter,” said Marsaglia.

Installation of two more panels is expected in the next 60 days, said Diane Mathis, director of marketing and development for the Springfield Park District. The new panels will supply power to picnic shelters at Southwind Park.

Combined with a hydrothermal system used to maintain a steady temperature in the main building, Erin’s Pavilion, and a wind turbine that is also planned, purchased power usage should be minimal, said Mathis.

“With solar, geothermal and wind, we have potentially a zero energy bill,” said Mathis.

Springfield resident Butch Elzea, who was instrumental in developing the park, said alternative energy was always part of the vision.

Elzea, whose family operated a chain of auto-parts stores for more than 60 years, said he believes alternative energy is becoming more affordable.

“We like to think we’re in the middle of the discovery of alternative energy methods. Now, we’re getting wind farms and solar panels,” said Elzea.

Not that different

Veteran electricians Albert Walden and Tony Miele said installation of solar electrical networks is not all that different from traditional commercial and residential wiring, though they do find themselves atop roofs a bit more often.

“The (mounting) racks are a little bit different, but it’s the same theory,” said Walden, who has been an electrician for 20 years.

Miele, an electrician for more than 30 years, said adapting to new technology is part of the job.

“It’s not that different. The job has always consisted of putting your skills to use on new applications,” said Miele.

Still incentive-driven

Haenig started installation of solar panels last week at FitClub South and also has an agreement to install a solar system at the Brandt Consolidated corporate headquarters on Koke Mill Road.

Haenig received $35,000 grants from the federal stimulus program to pay about a third of the cost for each of the projects, said Marsaglia. The solar industry probably will rely on state and federal incentives for the foreseeable future, he said.

“It’s going to be incentive-driven for a while because price is still out there, but as more of these are going to come out, you’re going to see the costs coming down,” said Marsaglia.

He also expects to see other traditional contractors venture into alternative energy.

“It’s another revenue source. We have the electricians, we have the trucks. It’s another avenue for us,” said Marsaglia

Executive director Molly Hall of the Energy Education Council in Springfield said solar remains a small industry in Illinois compared to wind and biomass energy, but it has begun to get more attention as a result of the federal incentives.

“We’re probably going to see more on a commercial scale. We’re just not there yet,” said Hall.

Tim Landis can be reached at 788-1536.