Archive for solar

Sun City Solar Energy Adds Fort Smith, AR Dealer

May 14, 2009 at 8:47 pm · Filed under solar, solar energy ·Tagged , , ,

Due to customer demand in Fort Smith, AR and Southwest Oklahoma, Sun City Solar Energy, LLC of Tulsa has expanded their dealer base to the Mid South region. The continued support for solar energy from the current administration, including the extension and expansion of the Federal tax credits, offers a unique opportunity to fill the Mid-South communities solar energy needs.

“The acceleration of new technologies, the need to diversify the country with sustainable alternatives to oil and gas, and the continuous improvement of our products and services supports the need for solar dealers in the area,” stated Pam Speraw, Director of Sun City Solar’s Business Development. “The addition of Fort Smith’s residents Chris Trager and Rodney Ristow to our family of solar dealers is an excellent fit for Sun City Solar.” When asked about opening another office considering the current business climate, Ms. Speraw explained that “The economic conditions have added fuel to the solar energy business. Chris Trager and Rodney Ristow along with the customers we serve in Oklahoma, Arkansas and North Texas, realize this is a perfect time to invest in owning your own utility company by using free energy from the sun.”

The public is invited to attend a free educational solar energy seminar on May 7th at 6:30 p.m. at 110 Folsom Blvd., Pocola, Ok.

About Chris Trager

Mr. Trager is a Manager of the Mid-South dealership, and brings twenty years of experience in the construction business to the Sun City Solar family. Chris was most recently the Director of Business Development for SSI Incorporated of Fort Smith, and also has a background in construction supervision.

About Rodney Ristow

Mr. Ristow began his career in the US Navy as a Nuclear Engineer overseeing reactor maintenance on submarines. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Physics from the University of Idaho in Moscow. Rodney serves as Project Engineer and Manager for Kraft Foods in the Fort Smith manufacturing plant.

About Sun City Solar Energy, LLC

Sun City Solar Energy has been offering a variety of solar energy products to customers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas since 1983. As solar energy specialists and professionals, Sun City is committed to meeting and exceeding customer expectations. SCSE installs the highest quality products, offers continuous dealer and customer support, and is focused on promoting cleaner, greener and energy independent communities for generations to come. For further information, visit SunCityEnergy.com or call Chris Trager at (918) 436-611

Leave a Comment

Sun City Solar Energy Expands to Sherman, TX

January 2, 2009 at 4:34 pm · Filed under solar, solar energy, solar hot water, solar pool heater, solar power

texas-green

Texas- Sun City Solar Energy today announced their expansion into North Texas, a move that will help position the Company to take full advantage of opportunities in the highly viable North Texas solar marketplace. Richardo M. Ayala, a senior engineer with Texas Instruments, and Richard Ayala, with 5 years in loans and auto sales, and Chris Mitchell, with nine years in retail management will operate the dealership. Their grand opening celebration was January 10th .The opening will included a 30 minute educational solar energy seminar, refreshments and networking.

“Over the past 16 months we have developed a business model for Sun City Solar and have made significant progress in implementing our model in Oklahoma and Arkansas, despite the challenging economic environment, stated Pamela Speraw, Director of Business Development for Sun City Solar. Speraw added that she is pleased to welcome Ricardo, Chris and Richard to Sun City Solar as they embark on their next phase of growth.

The Sherman Texas office is the fourth location for Sun City Solar. Ricardo Ayala conducted extensive research regarding options for renewable energy. “I believe Sun City Solar is committed to their customers and will establish us as a leading provider of highly integrated solar solutions, “said Mr. Ayala.”I look forward to delivering energy independence to North Texas, providing optimum value to our customers, and improving our community.”

About Ricardo Ayala – Over the past 32 years, Mr. Ayala held several positions with Texas Instruments. The past nine years he served as a senior product engineer developing new products and patents.

About Chris Mitchell – For 14 years, Chris Mitchell has served as assistant store manager for two large firms, concentrating on customer service. Mr. Mitchell is also involved in many social and civic activities in North Texas.

About Richard M Ayala – Richard M Ayala obtained a BBA degree with a double major in financial and economic from Texas Tech in 2004. After his graduation, he went to work for Wells Fargo financial as a credit manager. After two years with Wells Fargo, he took a new position as an internet sales manager with Classic Pontiac, Buick and GMAC of Carrollton.

About Sun City Solar Energy- Sun City Solar Energy designs, distributes and installs cutting edge solar energy technologies and equipment in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. Sun City intends to capitalize on its 25 years of residential and institutional knowledge of solar energy to improve the standard of living and quality of life for those who live and work in the region. For more information please visit www.SunCityEnergy.com.

Leave a Comment

NATIONAL SOLAR TOUR COMING TO TULSA & NW ARKANSAS

September 19, 2008 at 5:17 pm · Filed under solar, solar energy, solar hot water, solar pool heater, solar power ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

The public can view Solar Energy Installations in Tulsa and NW Arkansas during the 2008 National Solar Tour. For home and business owners interested in solar technology, the 13th Annual National Solar Tour on October 4th in Tulsa and October 11th in Bentonville, Arkansas will provide the opportunity to see commercial and residential solar energy projects across several  area counties.

The nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is bringing together more than 5,000 homeowners, public agencies and business people across the U.S. to introduce tens of thousands of citizens to money-saving solar technologies, the largest grassroots solar event in the history of the U.S.

The National Solar Tour includes a brief educational seminar and guided tours.

The ASES National Solar Tour features real-life examples of how folks are using the latest solar technologies to 1) reduce monthly energy bills, 2) reduce harmful carbon emissions, 3) enjoy tax credits, and 4) increase property value.

“Runaway energy costs is the economic issue Americans believe most personally affects them,” said Neal Lurie, Director of Marketing for ASES.

The nationwide tours are slated for October 4th. This event is open to the public. Details on the specific dates and times of tours across the nation are at: www.NationalSolarTour.org.

What: ASES National Solar Tour

When: Tulsa, October 4th, 10:00 a.m., Arkansas, October 11th.

Where: Tulsa tour starts at: Sun City Solar, 6709 E. 81st Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma,

Arkansas Tour starts at: NW Community College, Shewmaker Center, Bentonville, Arkansas

Price: Free

Leave a Comment

Solar Power Slashes Electric, Hot Water Bills Significantly!

July 21, 2008 at 2:03 pm · Filed under solar, solar energy, solar hot water, solar power ·Tagged , , , ,

Solar Power Slashes Electric, Hot Water Bills Significantly

By Robert Bell – 7/14/2008

Solar thermal systems can reduce the hot water bill of some businesses by as much as 75 percent to 80 percent, and pay for themselves in a matter of a few years, said John Gerrard, owner of Sun City Solar Energy of the Ozarks, based in Springdale.

Gerrard became a dealer in September for Sun City Solar Energy of Tulsa. He spent six months training with the Tulsa team and consults with them often.

“Our first major commercial deal was World Gym in Lowell,” he said. “We’re doing their thermal apps for the pool and hot water, with a 21-panel pool heater and a 12-panel hot water heater with four 120-gallon tanks.”

For businesses that use a lot of hot water, a solar thermal system can equate to big savings. The tax incentives are also a factor.

Homeowners who install solar systems can get a tax credit of up to 30 percent with a cap of $2,000.

“On commercial, it’s an even a stronger incentive,” Gerrard said. “It’s 30 percent with no cap. On a $100,000 investment in a solar energy system, your tax credit would be $30,000, which you can take back one year or carry forward 20 years.”

Solar hot water systems and solar electric setups make up the bulk of Gerrard’s business, in addition to a fair number of solar powered attic fans, which can lower the need for AC.

The price for photovoltaic cells – which absorb and convert the energy of the sun into the alternating current used in homes and businesses – has actually come down somewhat in recent years because more of them are being produced.

Many people start out with a solar hot water system and, once they start to see the savings, move on to installing solar electrical systems, Gerrard said.

Gerrard worked on a project in Tulsa installing an $80,000 solar electric system on the home of an oil geologist, who will likely receive credits from the power company for putting excess electricity back onto the grid.

Some questions Gerrard answers frequently have to do with whether the solar panels are vulnerable to hail (they’re not) and if they work on cloudy days (they do) or in the rain (not as much).

Adding batteries to store electricity can add between 30 percent and 40 percent to the cost of a solar electrical system, Gerrard said.

But with battery backup, a home or business owner could operate with minimal reliance on the grid.

The Sun City Solar team installed such a system at one client’s house and said he would be able to run the basic appliances such as lights and refrigerators during a blackout, ice storm or other event that knocked out power.

Gerrard mentioned a retired couple that contacted him about installing a solar hot water system. They had crunched the numbers and found that investing in solar power would yield a better return than the certificates of deposit they had been investing in.

Another advantage of solar electrical systems is that they’re usually producing the most electricity during peak summer hours, when the sun is brightest, the temperature is highest and the power companies are charging the most for juice.

Copyright © 2008, Arkansas Business Limited Partnership. All Rights Reserved.

Leave a Comment

Solar Power Interest Growing

June 24, 2008 at 5:52 pm · Filed under solar, solar energy, solar hot water, solar pool heater, solar power ·Tagged , , , ,

Sun City Energy of Tulsa believes solar power is the future. They share their message with interested homeowners.
Sun City Energy of Tulsa believes solar power is the future. They share their message with interested homeowners.

In South Tulsa, a group met to plan some bold moves. They’re learning more about solar power in an attempt to free themselves of skyrocketing utility bills.

Sun City Energy of Tulsa believes solar power is the future. They share their message with interested homeowners.

“We’re very passionate about helping America become energy independent. And we think that every home should own a portion of their own utility,” said General Manager of Sun City Solar Energy, Deanna Christ.

“I want to make sure that I’m doing what I need to be doing for the environment. Plus, I got hit with a couple of $400 gas bills over the winter and that was just for hot water,” said Christella Chavez, who is interested in solar power.

America is now being gripped by the high energy costs Europe has been facing for years, but has been slow in changing.

“8% of the country is on solar power, whereas Germany, which has the same amount of sunlight as the state of Michigan, is 55%,” said Christ.

But, for more and more Green Country homeowners, becoming your own utility company is looking more and more attractive.

Comments (1)

New World Gym Goes Green

June 3, 2008 at 4:54 pm · Filed under solar, solar energy, solar power

ROGERS, ARKANSAS –Charlton Development Company (Real Estate Owners) and Rhett and Tanya Gardner (World Gym Operators) are honored to be associated with the first commercial solar pool heating system in NW Arkansas. “We want to thank Sun City Solar Energy for deploying solar technology on our new facility”. “Buying green power was a small part of our construction costs and will pay for itself many times over,” stated Mike Charlton.

The Garners are also looking forward to reduced energy costs, as they are familiar with the high costs of utilities on their three other World Gyms in the area.

The Charlton’s believe solar energy is the way of the future. That is why they contacted Sun City Solar Energy to design and install solar hot water and solar pool heating on their World Gym development. “We are proud to do our part towards renewable energy and encourage other businesses to do the same,” said John Charlton, president of Charlton Development. Charlton plans to incorporate solar energy in future development projects as well.

Both residential and commercial customers can benefit from solar and help move our country toward energy independence. The Charlton’s understand the significance of energy and how important it is for America to invest in alternative sources. The Federal Tax Rebate of 30% plus the 5-year accelerated depreciation was another reason the company invested in solar.

The Commercial Solar Hot Water System will provide approximately 55% of the hot water needs for the gym’s showers and laundry. Both solar applications will eliminate approximately 40 tons of carbon emissions per year from the environment. The solar applications include twenty one solar pool panels and twelve hot water collectors.

Comments (2)

Oil and Gas Company Goes Solar

April 17, 2008 at 1:18 pm · Filed under solar, solar energy, solar power ·Tagged , , , ,

Local Company Turning To Solar Power, Mar 12, 2008, The News on 6

The sunshine probably has you feeling energetic. That’s especially true for one Tulsa office building. It is the first in town with a special kind of solar power system. The News On 6’s Steve Berg reports it’s the first in Tulsa that’s actually tied into the electrical grid. So they can actually send power back to the power company. The first in town to have what’s known as a grid-tie solar system is an oil company.

Keener Oil’s Dewey Bartlett teamed up with the law firm in his building to buy the system. He says petroleum types, like himself, are more receptive to alternative energy than people might think.“I think by having a photovoltaic system on the roof of our building is a great way to show the public that we understand how precious energy is,” said Bartlett.

Even he was a little surprised though when Deanna Christ, the owner of the company that installs them, told him he was the first to be tied into PSO’s grid.”We have checked with the home office in Columbus, Ohio,” said Christ, Sun City Solar Energy. “This is the first commercial application. “That floored me when she told me that,” said Bartlett. And this will give any electric customer a sunny disposition. On the weekends when nobody is there and nothing is turned on, they might generate more electricity than they use, and their meter would actually turn backward.

“We will be putting energy back into the grid,” said Bartlett. During normal usage, the panels will provide around 15% to 30% of their power needs. “It’s certainly not a big step for mankind necessarily, but it’s a big step for us, so it’s going to be interesting to see over a year’s time how it really does compare,” said Bartlett. The system cost about $40,000. But they’ll get around $12,000 in tax credits. And of course they’ll pay less for electricity each and every month.

Comments (1)