Welcome: Jon Little to the ASI Family by Allison Freeman Jonathan Little, affectionately known as “Little Jon,” is the newest member of the ASI team. As Shop Manager, Jon will oversee all warehouse operations. His responsibilities include receiving deliveries, organizing crew materials, monitoring inventory, and keeping track of job costs for potential bids. Previously, he was employed by McCarren Supply, a building supply outlet located in Carlisle. At McCarren, Jon created floor displays, assisted customers, and unloaded trucks. In his free time, Jon enjoys hiking and cheering on all Philadelphia sports teams. He is also a trained EMT and firefighter. He has been a firefighter since 2001 and lived and worked in the Lower Allen Township Fire House in Mechanicsburg for eight months prior to his employment at ASI. He hopes to start running with a local company in the coming months. A native of New Jersey, Jon now resides in Carlisle with his wife Maria. The two were married in June and are looking to relocate to the Lancaster area. by Chris Byers It all started with a visit to the Harrisburg Farm Show. Arden and Caroline Landis wanted to do a little investigating into solar. With Pennsylvania offering rebates, it seemed like a good opportunity to cut electric costs. Even though he grew up on a farm, he didn’t want to follow the herd. “I don’t go through life with a closed mind. I need the blinders completely off.” Arden had a perfect location in his field that received ample amounts of sun with little shading. It was time to make a move. (continued on page 4) Power Testimony in Mohnton The President of Mage Solar came to our shop in February to meet us. We were one of the top installers in North America for 2010 panel sales! See page 3 for details. Jonas has been working to repair our wind turbine. If you see him on the job site, he’d be happy to talk about anything to do with renewable energy and hot peppers. We made carts for each crew so that Jon, the new Shop Manager, can have supplies ready for the next day when crews arrive in the evening. THE SOLAR TIMES ADVANCED SOLAR INDUSTRIES ISSUE 1 “THE OPTIMAL ANGLE ON SOLAR” Arden and Caroline Landis: 10.3 kW February 2011
Transcript
Welcome: Jon Little to the ASI Family
by Allison Freeman
Jonathan Little, affectionately known as “Little Jon,” is the newest member of the ASI team. As Shop Manager, Jon will oversee all warehouse
operations. His responsibilities include receiving deliveries, organizing crew materials, monitoring inventory, and keeping track of job costs for potential bids. Previously, he was employed by McCarren Supply, a building supply outlet located in Carlisle. At McCarren, Jon created floor displays, assisted customers, and unloaded trucks. In his free time, Jon enjoys hiking and cheering on all Philadelphia sports teams. He is also a trained EMT and firefighter. He has been a firefighter since 2001 and lived and worked in the Lower Allen Township Fire House in Mechanicsburg for eight months prior to his employment at ASI. He hopes to start running with a local company in the coming months.
A native of New Jersey, Jon now resides in Carlisle with his wife Maria. The two were married in June and are looking to relocate to the Lancaster area.
by Chris Byers
It all started with a visit to the Harrisburg Farm Show. Arden and Caroline Landis wanted to do a little investigating into solar. With Pennsylvania offering rebates, it seemed like a good opportunity to cut electric costs. Even though he grew up on a farm, he didn’t want
to follow the herd. “I don’t go through life with a closed mind. I need the blinders completely off.” Arden had a perfect location in his field that received ample amounts of sun with little shading. It was time to make a move.
(continued on page 4)
Power Testimony in Mohnton
The President of Mage Solar came to our shop in February to meet us. We were one of the top installers in North America for 2010 panel sales! See page 3 for details.
Jonas has been working to repair our wind turbine. If you see him on the job site, he’d be happy to talk about anything to do with renewable energy and hot peppers.
We made carts for each crew so that Jon, the new Shop Manager, can have supplies ready for the next day when crews arrive in the evening.
THE SOLAR TIMES ADVANCED SOLAR INDUSTRIES ISSUE 1
! “THE OPTIMAL ANGLE ON SOLAR”
Arden and Caroline Landis: 10.3 kW
Febr
uary
201
1
by Chris Byers
• • •
FUTURE TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS US TO BE SMARTER WITH WHAT’S RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.
Routine phenomena are often taken for granted, but a new industry is emerging to tap the power of the tides.
It’s similar to wind power. Turbines submerged underwater are turning with tidal currents to create power. Devices sit at varying depths below the surface and are capable of harnessing both the ebb and ?low of the tides.
Europe has been investigating this technology for years before the United States, but popularity seems to be catching on as we pursue alternative energies. Chris Sauer, CEO of Ocean Renewable Power Company in Portland, Maine has plans to install a 150 kW system at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy. Home to tidal shifts up to 50 ft, 100 billion tons of water move through the proposed site each day with the force equivalent to 8,000 locomotives. Eastport
isn’t new on the radar for potential energy production; in fact, as long as 85 years ago there were plans to dam up the bay and create an industrial model for the rest of the country on how to harness the power of the ocean. That plan was initially turned down, but during the Depression, FDR revived the idea only to have it denied by Congress. JFK also made attempts to restore the ailing proposal, but his assassination closed any open doors.
Perhaps it was for the better. This new technology is far less invasive, plus at an organic level, the implementation process has involved the Eastport community, town of?icials and a diverse network of in?luential organizations and special interest groups. Local jobs have been created to build and implement the
technology and when the system eventually expands to 5 MW, every home and business in Eastport will operate using 100% clean, ocean power.
Even though this technology has many proponents, it isn’t without critics. There are obvious concerns about the impact on local ?ish populations and ecosystems
and certainly long-‐term research will be necessary to deal with those concerns. Sauer has plans to install systems in Alaska and to even harness the Gulf Stream in Florida while making every effort to address each environmental concern.
As a solar company, we applaud their efforts from across the table and ?irmly believe that our causes are linked where renewables are as commonplace as the sun, wind and tides.
A Tidal Shift in Alternative Energy
ORPC’s TidGen™ Power System
Chris Sauer, CEO of Ocean Renewable Power Company
Advanced Solar Industries receives top honors from Mage Solar
by Allison Freeman• • •
Advanced Solar Industries, LLC was named one of the largest buyers of MAGE Solar products in North America. ASI is also the number one buyer in greater Lancaster County. MAGE US President Joe Thomas presented CEO Josh Mitten with a credit check for $18,000 during a visit to ASI's headquarters in New Holland. MAGE Solar manufactures solar components such as panels, monitoring systems, and inverters. In 2010, ASI did five million dollars worth of projects with MAGE panels in Central Pennsylvania, which will offset 1.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide and produce one million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity.
"We really hit our stride working with MAGE in 2010,” said ASI CEO Josh Mitten. “We are passionate about the potential of renewable
energy to do lasting good in the world, and MAGE has proved to be an outstanding partner. We are proud to be associated with them and look forward to a long and beneficial relationship.”
ASI is one of MAGE’s original partners in North America. MAGE started selling solar components in North America in 2009. Check
out their website for more information:www.magesolar.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Open to the public, join us for for a charity ride to support the Collabratory, a program at Messiah College. Proceeds will support their effort to carry out a solar project.
Choose a 15 or 45 mile loop and pass solar installations along the way. Riders will raise money in addition to the $20 registration cost. If you raise over $250, you will receive a custom Ride Solar Bike Jersey on the day of the ride.
PAST CUSTOMERS:Come on down to Foxchase Golf Course on May 21st, 2011 for 18 holes of golf on us. You can play a
round with your favorite installer, eat some BBQ and take a tour of the 303 kW solar installation powering the entire golf course.
HONOR BOARDJosh, Joe and Dave talk about the year and how our relationship with MAGE can grow in the future.
Left to Right: Joe Thomas, President MAGE; Josh Mitten, CEO ASI; Dave Hammes, National Sales Director MAGE
Customer Golf Outing
Sept 17May 21
Call Chris Byers for more information 717-371-4440
After receiving an initial quote from another company in the area, they wanted a second opinion. Not knowing where to look, the Southern End Business Directory seemed logical. Enter ASI. Arden called up Josh Mitten to come over and talk about his options. “What I liked most about you guys was you took the time to really educate us, you had a quality product, the price was competitive and you had excellent references.”
Arden’s 10.3 kW ground mount array was installed in mid-July. Currently he is on track to out produce conservative predictions (around 12 MW for the year) made on his system; in fact, he currently has 7.3 MW on the meter and higher production months in the spring have yet to come. Even in the winter, Caroline was so impressed that the snow just slid right off: one of the benefits of a ground mount system.
Using SMA inverters, their monitoring system is run through a website called Sunny Portal. The graphs are well organized and the
app on the iPad makes everything very user friendly. In addition to quality product, Caroline has also remarked often that the integrity, politeness, respect and follow through from everybody at ASI has meant so much. She remembered that Levi, the foreman on the job, had to move a plant when digging a trench. “He took extra care to make sure it was where it originally had been. I appreciated him thinking of the small things.”
Arden and Caroline aren’t only the ones who love their system—the sheep in the pasture love the shade it provides! We are excited to build our relationship with the Landis family by keeping them informed and connected to this growing solar culture!
Snow DaysA lot of you keep asking about snow removal and what we recommend. The truth is that there is no industry standard on how to deal with snow on your solar panels. Manufacturers have to be careful with what they recommend because of the liability of scratching.
We have to take a similar stance and won’t endorse a specific product, but we can offer you some ideas. We tested one product called the SnoPro. Soft foam with a telescopic pole. Works best with new snow, but won’t take care of ice.
1. Use a CFL light bulb
2. Drive less
3. Reuse containers
4. Check tire pressure
5. Use less hot water
6. Use a power strip
7. Compost food scraps
8. Give newspapers to local chicken famers for bedding
9. Join a community shared agriculture group (CSA)
10. Shut down computers
ABOUT USAdvanced Solar Industries, LLC is located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. ASI has 15 years of experience in the solar business and possesses the technology and knowledge to install one of the most advanced renewable energy systems on the market. ASI is dedicated to helping home and business owners
reduce their dependence on standard utilities and save money on energy costs. For more information, visit: www.advancedsolarindustries.com.
Ten simple ideas to reduce your impact
Advanced Solar Industries 624 N. Shirk Rd
New Holland, PA 17557717-768-8500
FROM THE EDITORThank you to all of our customers. We are growing along with you and truly look forward to building a relationship that lasts longer than your system. We hope that our quarterly newsletter will be just one of the ways to reach out. We are so passionate about what we do and welcome you along side us as we continue to move the solar industry forward!
