Photo Via Arch Solar - archelec.com
Arch Solar
Arch Solar has a classic Wisconsin story. Ed Zinthefer started the company in 2003 on his rural Plymouth farm when he installed solar panels to make operations more efficient. An expert electrician, Zinthefer helped neighbors and other farms in the Sheboygan area go solar as well, eventually scaling up to commercial and industrial projects. Today, Arch Solar is Wisconsin’s leading solar energy company in the Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and Fox Cities areas, offering panel installation and battery storage for homes, utilities and businesses by way of over 220-strong team of employees.
Marketing and public relations director JD Smith says of Zinthefer, “He was a farmer, and as a farmer, you don’t want to waste anything. From an electrical perspective, he saw that this technology makes a lot of sense.” Zinthefer would be right—solar energy does make a ton of sense, being one of the cleanest renewable energy sources available to us. It produces practically no carbon emissions at all, plus advances in technology of the panels has increased efficiency over time, with each panel having a lifespan of 20 to 30 years. “Even by the end of its lifespan, it only degrades by like 8%, so it would still be working at 92%,” Smith puts into perspective. “If anything’s going to break, it’s the inverter, which is a complex piece of electronics.” Additionally, unlike other renewable energy sources, solar power can be generated almost everywhere since the sun is everywhere. Panels may be installed on homes, parking lots, warehouses, corporate buildings, cars or in remote fields.
While a coal plant takes five to seven years to build on average, Smith notes that solar farms can be up and running in three to six months, depending on the size. “Power is something that people are so used to not realizing they can control, and it’s hard to do in many ways. A lot of our customers are manufacturing companies and can’t turn their power off. But if they talk to us, we can install panels for them within a year.”
Costs and Incentives
Solar energy does have high upfront costs; before incentives, residential solar installation for an eight-kilowatt system costs a national average of $24,800, according to a Forbes article from June. That said, one household using solar power can save thousands of dollars on energy every year. Smith continues, “Solar is the least subsidized form of energy right now and the money still makes sense. It is really simple; there’s no moving parts. You’re just dealing with math, not abstract concepts. The economics of solar are measurable and forecastable.”
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Although the solar industry initially did not take off in the Midwest as fast as in states like California, Arizona or Florida, regional investment in renewable energy has grown fast. According to Smith, Arch Solar performs 150 to 200 residential builds annually as well as 30 to 50 commercial builds of various sizes. He estimates that since its founding, Arch Solar has installed solar panels on more than 2,000 residential properties in Wisconsin, with each taking just one to three days. Recent commercial projects have installed panels on institutions like the new Wisconsin Center, Pettit National Ice Center and the Milwaukee Public Library’s MLK branch.
For those considering investing in solar power, Smith advises that the biggest two things to consider are whether one plans to be in their home for more than 10 years and if they have $150-200 in monthly energy bills. These factors will help determine whether it is worth it for the customer. “We are selling more battery backups and home storage systems than ever before, and that rate is increasing every year,” Smith reckons. “That’s tricky because those are more specific to a person, so because of the complexities, homeowners have to be more involved, and we’re trying to simplify and streamline that.”
With the solar industry booming, Smith laments that Wisconsin still lags behind other states on a policy level, with natural gas remaining our primary source of electricity. Arch Solar has worked with advocacy organizations like RENEW Wisconsin and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) to secure greater state investment in renewable energy sources and sustainability goals. “Solar creates jobs as it grows,” Smith attests. “It’s one of those jobs you can’t really automate because it’s very technical, hands-on work, and for the customer it has to be tailored.”
The original Zinthefer farm is still in operation today. In fact, Arch Solar offers house-made maple syrup to each and every one of its customers. Smith affirms, “The roots of the company are still growing, but all of the people like Ed and Mindy still keep us anchored.” For more information, visit the Arch Solar website.
