10 MiMfg Magazine March 2021
PREMIUM ASSOCIATE
Member Spotlight
Harvest Solar
Member since February 2020 • Learn more at harvestsolar . com
Ken Zebarah Jr .
Director of Sales – Commercial / Ag
Harvest Solar , an energy solutions company based in Jackson , saw the winds of change starting in 2006 when they began importing wind turbines and installing them throughout the Midwest . It was just a few years later that the company shifted to solar having witnessed the benefits and efficiency of new energy technologies .
Since that time , Harvest Solar has become a well-respected name in the solar industry , installing solar energy projects for commercial applications throughout Michigan and beyond . Ken Zebarah , Jr ., Director of Sales , says they take a highly customized approach in order to craft the right solutions for customers .
“ We analyze our customers ’ operation and energy consumption in order to make a recommendation on a solar project , including walking them through tax incentives , grant money , utility savings , environmental benefits and more ,” says Zebarah . “ And if the project makes sense for their business , then our own in-house engineering , electricians and construction crews will complete the project .”
For nearly all manufacturing operations , energy use represents one of their biggest costs , thus business owners are constantly seeking ways to become more efficient . Solar can potentially be a cost-savings opportunity as well as reducing a business ’ s carbon footprint . In addition , companies can take advantage of a variety of tax incentives including a federal tax credit that could be up to 30
Best Part of My Job Seeing a wide range of different manufacturing and farming operations .
One Thing You Can ’ t Live Without ?
Something — anything ! — to build or fix .
percent and a USDA Rural Energy America Program ( REAP ) grant that can cover up to 25 percent of the project cost .
“ Manufacturing operations happen to be an ideal candidate for solar energy because of high energy consumption , large roof space and an end-user that often cares about the environmental aspects of the product ,” says Zebarah .
The biggest thing that we want to relay to manufacturers is that solar energy is no longer just for environmentalists . It is for environmentalists , capitalists and everyone in between .
Having a strategic partner and doing an up-front analysis of a company ’ s energy output are important aspects to consider before moving forward with any
An approximately 1,000 kW rooftop solar array at an automotive manufacturer , designed and installed by Harvest Solar .
solar project , says Zebarah . Going to solar should be one element in an overall energy consumption plan that aims to increase efficiency and reduce cost .
Zebarah agrees that the runway for green technologies is wide open as new federal policies are heavily incentivizing solar and other alternative energy sources . In early February , the U . S . Department of Energy announced $ 100 million in funding for transformative clean energy research and development . “ The biggest thing that we want to relay to manufacturers is that solar energy is no longer just for environmentalists ,” says Zebarah . “ It is for environmentalists , capitalists and everyone in between . It is a myth that a business would need to pay more for renewable energy . Businesses now actually pay significantly less for renewable energy than traditional grid power .” 6
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