A Fargo based solar company is working with other local businesses to install two solar projects in Fargo and Moorhead this week.
John Bagu is President of Community Electrification, and has powered his personal home and cars with electricity from solar power for the last six years. He says his company is working with roofers, electricians and public service departments to begin installing solar panels on residences. The Moorhead installation consists of 18 panels that will generate 8,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.
"This could almost cover a really conservative house, in terms of their energy use per month, and if you drive an electric vehicle like I do that's 4,000 kilowatt hours per year, so this is basically two electric vehicle's worth of energy every year."
Bagu says the roofers and electricians have been pleased with how simple the installation of the panels is going. A drone company is even being tapped to do thermal imaging of the solar panels.
Christina Stika Jacobs is the Moorhead homeowner installing solar panels this week. She says she and her family are very conscientious of their impact on the environment, and have wanted to invest in solar panels for years. She was excited to connect with Bagu for the project on her home, and says the panels outwardly send a message to her neighborhood.
"You know, when I talk about reduce, reuse, recycle - we can do all those things and people aren't necessarily aware that you're doing that. Solar panels on your house gives everybody that, you know what, they're really serious about this, they're serious about living a life where they're thinking about their choices and how it impacts the environment. I think it is a huge slogan of that, and we really try to walk our talk. So this is just another way of doing that."
The panels on Jacobs' home initially cost $16,000 and will have 97 percent efficiency. Bagu says the system on his home is 84 percent efficient, and during the last two years between February and October he has spent $100 on energy for his home and cars combined. Bagu says the solar industry is virtually untapped in North Dakota, but the possibilities are endless.
"Even if you don't believe in climate change, fine. Even if you don't believe in helping children with their health by less pollution, fine. If you like to save money - this is one of the best ways to save money, because trust me - you're paying more for your energy than you're paying in taxes."