Tel: (845) 626-2627   Home   Contact  
Sun Volt

Sun Volt Solar

earth, the final frontier

Clean Energy, Clean Environment

We are at a cross roads in human history, we can choose to continue on as we have been, or we can make a change to improve our future and quite possibly the future for several generations to come. We are here to promote energy independence, a better environment, a secure future and a higher return on investment for your hard earned dollar. It is what I believe in, it is why I am in the solar business.

Why I want to start my own solar business

30 Jun 07 | General

I feel very strongly that we are either the solution to our energy problems or the perpetuator of them. We can either continue to burn fossil fuels and cause environmental damage or we can change to renewable energy. We can either continue our addiction to middle east oil, or we can kick the habit once and for all.

small-wind-turbine.jpg This blog is going to chronicle the start up of a Alternative Energy business in upstate New York. I plan to discuss what training is needed, the quality, cost and value of the training received, and where it occurred. I also want to detail things like a business plan, marketing, loans, tools, and what ever else will be required. I do not know if this endeavor will succeed or fail, but I am gambling a lot on the outcome, so no matter what, it will be interesting.

The types of business and installations I am looking for are solar electric (photovoltaic) solar thermal (domestic hot water and space heating), geothermal, possibly wind power and micro hydro power provided if I can get the training and certification for that type of work.

I have also started an Alternative Energy Wiki as a part of this site where others can contribute knowledge.

mafate_marla_solar_panel.jpg

Tags:

30 Jun 07 | General | Comments (0)

Getting Started

29 Jun 07 | General

I suppose the hardest thing about any project is actually getting started. Starting a new business is a daunting task for those who have not done it before. I am currently employed as a broadcast engineer for a group of local radio stations. That job pays the bills, and that is about it. I suppose I could say there are some things that I still find interesting, but those are few and far between. At the end of the day, there is nothing that I can look back on and say “I feel glad I got out of bed today.”

That is why I feel that I must leave my current job and start out new. That is more than a little scary. I have full benefits at the old company, health, dental, vacation, sick time and so on. Not only for me, but for my family as well. My wife is not working, so I am the sole provider. Basically I provide food and shelter and the every day needs for four people. I am under no illusions that this will be easy or stress free, but I feel that if I stay at my current job I will slowly wither away into a small nub of a person, hanging on by my finger nails until retirement, grateful for what ever table scraps the big wigs throw my way. That is no way to live so I would rather try and fail than sit on the bench and think about what might be.

To that end, I have begun to investigate what I will need to get started in this business. There are several training courses that look interesting, from photovoltaic installation, solar thermal and one of particular interest called “Starting a solar business.” Of course, all this costs money, which is not currently in great supply. I suppose what I need is the belief that I can carry this through and be successful thereby making the training a good investment.

I will let you know how this internal argument plays out.

Tags:

29 Jun 07 | General | Comments (0)