Solar Power Harnessed From The Roofs Of Existing Businesses
I read an interesting article recently, from Cape Cod Online. It talked about how right now, on top of flats there is so much free space. But all this free space will be utilized in the future, to capture solar power. On top of the roof solar panels can be placed. On top of Willy’s Gym, Blockbuster Video or Fancy Nails about 300 solar panels can be placed.
“It’s the first such private ownership company on the Cape,” co-owner of the new installation, Luke Hinkle said.
Unutility Electric is the owner of the new installation. This company was created by Luke Hinkle, an ex-teacher that installs solar panels, Thayer, a property manager and two other people: Katharine Reynolds and Randy Clark.
This company will provide the money for the commercial projects in the area. The goal of the company is to cover Orleans shopping center’s roof and also many large roofs on the Cape. “We want to go up and down the Cape and put these on roofs,” Thayer adds. Studies show that in Orleans the electricity is at 16.5 cents a kilowatt-hour. The company is assisted by the state and federal incentives. These return 65 % of a system’s cost.
Thayer says: “With this project, you get a substantial credit back immediately. You reduce the risk. The next project will be a little different. The payout will take a little longer.” Hinkle says that even on rainy days the panels will run at 20% capacity. At the peak moments, they can generate about 100,000 kilowatts per year. This is sufficient to power about 100 Cape homes for almost a month.
Among the benefits, there are also reduced tenancies. For example, at the Orleans Marketplace, the solar electricity will reduce the tenancy costs. The solar energy will be used to illuminate the parking lots and other additional areas.
“The problem, if there is one, is that most businesses aren’t in a position to buy a system of this size. If you are in business to be a retailer, you don’t want to be making that kind of an investment. This way Unutility makes the investment with you as the building owner,” Hinkle suggested. Hinkle’s company has been working in the Cape since 2001 and right now they have hundreds of panels installed.
