Hire Electric just got listed on www.bergey.com as the installer of the Gorge. We’re excited about this continued relationship. The first 10k Bergey machine we helped put up outside of Goldendale was in 2003. It’s been running flawlessly ever since. Putting out a consistant 13,000kwh’s per year.

Greenies is a great little store in the heart of Richland, WA. They sell recycled and sustainably manufactured clothing, health and beauty products, kayaks and a really cool selection of retro and electric hybrid bikes. Hire Electric’s Solar Division is working on doing a Renewable Energy/Sustainable Living Seminar with Greenies in the near future. Please let us know if you are interested in coming. We are shooting for mid March at a Richland area community center.

More about Greenies here: www.greenielife.com

Silicon Energy solar system at Franklin PUD from Isaac Lewis on Vimeo.

There is no one single reason why consumers make the decision to have solar installed on their roofs. It’s a combination of reasons, and that combination can vary on the individual. But in 2009 we definitely saw the beginning of a shift in the mindset of many consumers. The top drivers are, not necessarily in this order:

• Environment. Going solar gives me the power to do something about global warming.
• Money. I will eventually save money on my electricity (perhaps right away, based on the state and financing options).
• Energy independence. We as a country are too reliant on foreign fuel. Solar on my roof is my own personal power plant.
• Statement. Solar on my roof makes a bold statement that I’m doing something to help the environment, and that you – my neighbors – can follow my lead.
• Cool factor. Ironically, this massive ball of ultra-hot burning gas called the sun is the coolest power source on earth. It makes me feel like a cooler person just because I have it.
• Hate. My utility has been making me angry for years. Having solar says to them, “eat my sun.”
• Status. My environmental credentials enhance my standing in the community.
• Passion. I believe passionately that my country should never again fight a war for oil. Power from the sun is my way of saying, “enough.”
• Hedge. Having a solar installation helps me lock in a rate for my power, so I won’t suffer as much from rising electricity rates over the years (see “hate” above)

Not long ago, before the days of generous federal and state subsidies, the environment was the dominant single driver for going solar. The very early adopters for solar tended to be green in two ways: they had money to throw around, and they wanted to stop global warming. That equation has changed.  As we approach the end of 2009, it appears that two factors in combination are the main drivers:

Money and Environment. I can save money and help the environment at the same time. So, why wouldn’t I? Many or all of the other factors play a role in the decision, but these appear to be the top two.  Incorporating money saving and environmental preservation together is critical to the success of any solar marketing campaign in 2010.

From Renewable Energy World

The 7.5kw solar installation will consist of 36, Sanyo 210 watt solar modules and use Enphase micro inverters to turn the solar energy into power that can synchronize with North Wasco PUD’s utility grid.

Solar energy will replace about 30% of Hire Electric’s current power consumption.

You can see how much power we are producing right now at our Enphase Monitoring Website.

Stop by and visit any time.

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December 7th through the 11th, 9 to 5:00 Each Day

2700 West Second St, The Dalles, OR. (next to the Elks behind The Dalles Transmission)

On Monday, December 7th at 2pm will will have a ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the system.

On Thursday December 10th at 5 pm we will give a short power point seminar on putting solar energy to work in The Gorge.

See you there!

“The student’s really did it – they were amazing! I was really impressed with the whole Job Corp program they have going there in White Swan. We worked with the Carpenter Trainees. Tom Osborn with BPA bought the system and guided the installation. Hire provided the “Parts and Smarts”. 20 students up on the roof learning how to install rails, mount the solar modules, DC wiring, installation safety… And then down on the ground again installing the inverter and watching for the meter to spin backwards. They were really excited. I gave a talk to about 100 students about the basics or solar energy, global solar growth potential (they were pretty shocked that of the ~13,000MW of installed solar capacity globally the US only had 9% of the pie by the end of 2008), the need for trained workers, and the variety of jobs that are being created in this industry. The students were really interested and they seemed to “get” the idea that locally owned power – from a resource that comes up every day – makes more sense than relying on a diminishing commodity that you have to buy from someone else. I want to wish all the students the best of success. I truly hope that we can find the political will to actually create the jobs they are hoping for when they graduate from their programs.” –  Jonathan

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Hosted by Mac Solutions on East Second Street, speaker Jonathan Lewis.

Tuesday, October 27th at 6:00 PM. Bring a friend.

August 31, 2009

Contacts: Jonathan Lewis or Sonja McHale

541-296-5574 (office)

jle…@hireelectric.com

www.hireelectric.com

Seeing Green in the Mid Columbia – forward thinking electrical contractor buys solar installation company

On Monday, August 31, 2009 Hire Electric Inc. of The Dalles, OR completed the acquisition of Seraphim Energy of Goldendale, WA.

For some time now Hire Electric has been preparing to enter the renewable energy market, through research and sending their employees to solar training classes at the IBEW in Portland, OR. Recently they decided to jump start the process by acquiring Goldendale based Seraphim Energy.

In 2003 Seraphim installed their first 10kw Bergey wind machine and since that time they have installed more than 60 small wind and solar electric systems throughout eastern Washington and Oregon. “Seraphim already had the system design and actual rooftop experience we were looking for,” says Ron McHale, Hire’s owner since 1973.

Aside from a free and non-polluting fuel source, the primary mover behind renewable energy at this time is the incentives. As an Energy Trust Trade Ally, with USDA REAP grant application experience – with an Oregon Tax Credit Certified Technician on board – Seraphim brings Hire the ability to save their customer’s money. Depending on a number of factors, one third to as much as ninety percent of a system can be offset by incentives. Knowing how to navigate this paperwork is the key to making renewable energy projects happen at this time.

Hire Electric is currently owned by Dan McHale. Dan started with Hire in 1981, recently taking the helm from his dad. Hire Electric has been a pillar of the Gorge community since 1935.

Seraphim Energy was founded in 2003 by Jonathan Lewis. Lewis will come on board with Hire to build their Renewable Energy/Solar Division. Bob Skinner of Ione, OR has been doing system design and sales with Seraphim since 2007. Lewis sees this transition as a positive step toward bringing renewable energy to the mainstream: “People need to know that it’s possible to be your own power company, and that there are amazing incentives available right now to help make that happen. Knowing that they can invest in their energy future with the electrical contractor they’ve trusted for decades will be a real tipping point. The Hire team has a tremendous commitment to excellence and I’m very excited about the move.”

Hire Electric’s Renewable Energy/Solar Division will offer a variety of small wind turbines and solar electric systems for residential and commercial use; grid connected, battery back up and remote off-grid systems; from Portland to Pendleton (including Tri Cities and Walla Walla) and Bend to Yakima.

Navigating renewable energy options can be very complicated. Hire Electric’s new division is committed to education – helping people tune into next generation power options. They are available to speak to civic organizations, community groups and clubs. You can meet the new team at the following events:

The Dalles EcoFest (admission free)

September 19, 2009/The Dalles, Or

Walla Walla Environment Invest Lecture Series (free/RSVP)

September 17, 2009/Walla Walla, WA/Impress Salon

NW Seed Community Wind Workshop ($35)

September 24, 2009/The Dalles, OR/Columbia Gorge Discovery Center

MacSolutions Solar Talk (free)

October 27, 2009/At Mac Solutions/705 E 2nd/The Dalles, OR

Mid-Columbia Farm Expo

November 14, 2009/White Salmon Middle School

Contact Tim Shatraw w/ WSU at (509) 773-5620 for more info

Or visit us online at www.hire-solar.com