Installing a solar array is not cheap and many small businesses can't afford to shell out the big bucks to harness the power of the sun. Revolution Energy in Portsmouth uses a business model that allows its commercial and municipal clients to essentially lease equipment, often for less than the cost of purchasing power from the grid.
While dozens of NH companies design and install solar power arrays that they sell to customers, Revolution Energy owns the installations and clients pay monthly usage fees until the equipment is paid off. For clients this means solar power without the upfront costs and savings of as much as hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. The point for us was to take away any of that challenge or barrier of, I love it but can't afford it,' says Mike Behrmann, an owner of the company, We take that away [by] taking on the financial burden of installing the system.
Behrmann says the company has 375 kilowatts installed or under development, making it NH's largest owner of solar energy. The average installation size is about 75 kilowatts and the company has been focusing on education facilities. When working in schools, company representatives visit classrooms to talk about solar energy.
Behrmann says the leasing model-used nationwide-is good for business. Revolution Energy receives tax credits from the state and recently received angel funding. In 2010, it received $60,000 from The Green Launching Pad in Durham, which provides seed money and support to help launch green companies and commercialize green technology. The four-year-old company has experienced 100 percent annual revenue growth. The company has nine employees and is looking to hire two more people at least part time. For more information, visit rev-en.com.
Current Issue - May 2024