Solar Works in St. Cloud meeting

Company History

Located in Alexandria, MN, Solar Skies Mfg., LLC was established in 2006 to manufacture solar thermal collectors for commercial and residential use. Solar Skies actually began in 2003, when local entrepreneur and CEO of Solar Skies, Randy Hagen, developed, manufactured, and sold a solar powered device for ventilating aircraft. With his growing interest in solar and the demand for cost-effective renewable energy products on the rise, Randy was convinced that more people would realize the economic advantages of solar power systems.

Over the last two years we have expanded our offerings to include tanks, pumps, controllers and complete balance of system components.

Aiding in our sales efforts, Solar Skies has partnered with a growing network of dealers and distributors throughout the U.S. and now into Canada. Together, we have expanded the solar business, education, and the awareness for the need of alternative energy resources.

• Solar Skies MFG is the Midwest’s Leading manufacturer of Solar Thermal Collectors

• Solar Skies is located in Alexandria Minnesota• Solar Skies is entering its 6th year of manufacturing• Solar Skies sells product throughout the US• Solar Skies’ collectors have recently been approved in Canada• Solar Skies manufactures high quality, SRCC Rated Collectors

Solar Skies’ Flat Plate Collector

The Solar Thermal Collector is Solar Skies’ Main Product

We have continued to enhance our main product line and now support our collectors with a complete lineup of our own tanks and full systems

The principal function of our collectors and tanks are to take the energy from the sun and convert them into useable BTUs

Commercial: A commercial application is similar to a residential application, just utilizing more collectors and larger tanks.

Residential: A family of four requires two 4’ x 8’ collectors and one 80 gallon solar tank.

US solar hot water patent 1891-Clarence Kemp

Solar thermal is a proven technology

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

About 20 Billion dollars leave the state every year in the form of payment for energy. That’s money that could be spent in Minnesota to create new jobs and improve wages for current jobs.

There isn’t one big 20 billion dollar check written. This happens through small everyday expenditures by people just like you and me.

Every time you spend a dollar locally, that dollar, on average, will change hands seven times.

Installing a renewable energy system makes sense.

•In Minnesota, it will continue to create jobs and improve the economy by keeping money in the state•The ROI is usually better that can be obtained elsewhere•It will improve the environment

Federal• 30% Tax Rebate (residential) or cash grant (commercial) on Entire Installed Cost• No Cap For Residential for domestic or space heating• No Cap For Commercial• 100% Depreciation in 2011, then 50% 2012 with the balance depreciated on a MACRS basis• Pool Heating Currently Excluded• Tax Credit Program Extended to December 31st 2016

U.S.D.A. - R.E.A.P. Program• U.S.D.A Loans also available• Energy Star – Solar thermal now qualifies

State of Minnesota

• Sales tax exempt.• Property tax exempt.

Utility Rebate Programs• See dsireusa.org

Solar Thermal Opportunities

• ApplicationsHousing

Lodging

Dorms/Barracks

Hospitals

Dining Facilities

Laundries

Fitness Centers

Agricultural

Solar Thermal can cost effectively be utilized where ever there is a hot water or heating load. The following pages are job stories utilizing solar thermal collectors

Install by FLS Energy

Install by FLS Energy

Install by FLS Energy

System type: DrainbackCollector space: 1,080 sq. ft Annual fuel savings: 2,132 thermsInstallation cost: $115,000Avoided CO2 emissions: 12.5 tons/yearSolar contribution to hot water load: 47%Preheated water volume: 1,300 gallons Incoming water temperature: @45ºState Incentive (Focus): $17,059Federal Tax credit: 30% Cost per sq. ft: $106Estimated payback: 9 yearsInstallation date: February 2008

Lead contractor: Craig Tarr, Energy Concepts, Hudson System installer: Paul Steiner, Steiner Plumbing and Electric, River Falls Distributor: Hot Water Products, Milwaukee

Wigwam Mills, Sheboygan WI

Macalester College – St. Paul, MNIPS Solar

Ground Mount – Wisconsin Residence

Cardinal Heating

Kalihari Resort – Wisconsin Dells, WI 104 Collectors Terry Town Plumbing & Heating, Hot Water Products

The Wellstone – MinnesotaEnergy Concepts

Carleton College – MinnesotaIPS Solar – LKPB Engineering

Bayfield County Jail Job Story Solar Skies Solar Thermal Products Used(16) SS-40 4’ x 10’ Solar Skies’ Flat Plate CollectorsResultsCurrently, Bayfield County Jail is enjoying the benefits of an annual fuel savings of 1,260 therms, the solar system is generating 45% of their hot water needs. Not only is Bayfield County Jail saving money but they are displacing 7.5 tons of CO2 emissions annually. The cost of the project was $93,000, factoring in a 30% federal

tax credit and accelerated depreciation, it is calculated that Bayfield Counties investment will be recovered in 10 years. If the natural gas prices continue their rapid rise, the payback will be considerably shorter.

Project Installation: Conservation Technologies 4804 Oneota Street Duluth, MN 55807 218-722-9003

Project Installation: Innovative Power Systems 1413 Hunting Valley Road St. Paul, MN 55108 651-789-5305

Dakota County Lebanon Hills Regional Park Campground

Solar Skies Product Used(4) 4’ x 10’ Solar Skies Solar Thermal Collectors(1) 120 gallon Stainless Steel Solar Tank(1) 20 gallon Drain Back Tank

ResultThe 4-collector hot water system produces about 400 Therms of natural gas per year. By utilizing the solar thermal collectors, the Lebanon Hills Campground achieved a LEED rating on this site. The 8 strategies selected by Dakota County to meet the 2015 goal will provide a cost savings to the County of $40,000 annually. Dakota County is working at making their energy use sustainable, it meets currents needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, is a continuous effort that integrates environmental, social, and economic goals, and requires public leadership and collective action by government agencies, private and non-profit sectors. US Mayors have signed the US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which says they will reduce their carbon footprint in their own communities and urges federal and state governments to reduce emissions as well.

Project Installation: Thelen Heating & Roofing Inc. 1717 Thirteenth St. SE Brainerd, MN 56401 218-829-1491

Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic Solar Skies Product Used(24) SS-26 4’ x 6.5’ Solar Skies Collectors ResultThe Solar Skies collectors are currently providing a minimum of 80% of the clinic’s domestic hot water. The boilers are not in use during the warm summer months of May – September and the clinic’s annual space heating costs have been reduced by a minimum of 40%.

Glenrook South High SchoolObjectiveThe Glenbrook South High School is located in Glenview, IL. They are committed to reducing their carbon footprint and their dependence on fossil fuels.

ProjectAssist in heating two pools. Estimated cost of the project is $460,000 but $245,000 in grant money was made available through the Clean Energy Act to help offset the cost of the project.

Solar Skies Mfg. Products Used(70) Solar Skies SS-40 4’ x 10’ Solar Collectors

ResultsEnergy savings of $20,000 per year.

Project Installation: Solar Service Inc. 7312 North

Milwaukee Ave. Niles, IL 60714 847-677-0950

Maricopa County Corrections Facility

Solar Skies Mfg., Products Used(316) Solar Skies SS-40 4’ x 10’ EZ Array Solar CollectorsIn order to meet the two hour timeframe for unloading and crane service, the solar collectors were packaged and arranged by array and managed and shipped on a just- in-time basis making going from factory to rooftop one seamless operation.

ResultsBoth jails now have a solar thermal system the promotes the efficient integration of solar with existing water heaters and did not require any loss of service to the jails, at no time were users aware that any work was going on with the hot water system.The system provides a substantial amount of the daily heat required, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately ½ million pounds per annum. The estimated annual cost savings in fossil fuel for both sites is over $55,000. The reduction in burning equates to taking 37 vehicles off the road. This project was also been named ENR’s Best Specialty Contracting Project 2011.

MassMutual Job StorySOLAR SKIES SOLAR THERMAL PRODUCTS USED(96) SS-40 4’ x 10’ Solar Skies Collectors The 96 collectors were shipped with the EZ-Array option offered by Solar Skies. This optional collector and mounting system includes

unions, sensor wells, mounting hardware and precut and drilled strut. Additionally, the collectors were crated, labeled and loaded in the order of set up to eliminate guesswork. This system provided labor reduction of approximately 30% during

installation. RESULTSMassMutual’s estimated energy cost savings is $100,000 annually. The solar thermal collectors are generating 50% of the campus hot

water needs while the photovoltaic system provides 111 Kilowatts (kW) of electricity. The collectors will also cut MassMutual’s carbon emissions by

1,830 metric tons of CO2 over the life of the system.

Design & Installation: Harry Grodsky & Co. 33 Shaws Lane

Springfield, MA 01101 413-785-1947

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife RefugeSolar Skies Products Used(24) 4’ x 10’ Solar Skies Solar Thermal Collectors

ResultsThis state-of –the-art retrofit will reduce the facility’s energy usage and subsequent costs by at least 40%. The solar collectors heat 700 gallons of hot water for solar storage.

Project Installation: Innovative Power Systems 1413 Hunting Valley Rd St. Paul, MN 55108 651-789-5305

Mdewakanton Emergency ServicesSolar Skies’ Products Used(6) SS-40 4’ x 10’ Solar Skies’ Flat Plat Collectors

ResultsThe annual energy savings is 540 therms as well as displacing 3.2 tons of CO2 emissions. According to the Mdewakanton Emergency Services officials, the solar collectors are providing substantial energy savings for their facility.

Engineered & Designed by Energy Concepts

2349 Willis Miller Drive

Hudson, WI 54016

715-381-9977

University of Minnesota, Morris CampusSolar Skies Mfg. Products Used(32) Solar Skies NSC-40 4’ x 10’ North Star EZ Array Series Solar Collectors

ResultsThe project directly addresses the climate change mitigation goals at UMM. This system will offset the consumption of natural gas, typically used to heat the pool. This system will lower their carbon footprint by 15 tons carbon dioxide each year, provide 270MMBtu of heating and a $2,700 natural gas cost savings each year. The project involved the entire community and it also involved students in the grant writing process.

Project Design: Craig Tarr, PE Energy Concepts 2349 Wills Miller Drive Hudson, WI 54016 715-381-9977

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