When Ed Zinthefer, a master electrician, first became interested in solar-electric installations about eight years ago, he says he had one important question for an expert: “Can you actually make a living installing this stuff.”

The answer was yes, and Zinthefer’s Arch Electric LLC, now is the second largest installer of photovoltaic systems in Wisconsin, having completed more than 40 projects.

The solar-electric component of his business has grown from about 10 percent in 2006 to 80 percent this year. The business, which Zinthefer, 41, operates from a basement office in his farmhouse northeast of Plymouth, earned about $1 million in 2008 and stands to net $2 million this year.

Arch Electric was one of 36 firms that manufacture or install solar-electric systems with booths at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association Energy Fair in Custer this summer.

Has the recession hurt his business? “It’s actually helping our business,” Zinthefer replies. “People see energy prices increasing and look on solar-electric as a hedge against rising energy costs.”

“It’s not a get-rich quick scheme,” he adds, noting that the return on investment for installation of photovoltaic panels is typically nine to 18 years. But the life span of the systems is 40 to 50 years. “It’s for people who are in it for the long haul.”

According to a recent article on the Social Funds Web site, photovoltaic production worldwide has been doubling every two years since 2002 to make it the fastest-growing energy technology. The U.S is the fourth largest market.

One major reason for the growth is that the average installed cost of photovoltaic systems prior to receipt of any financial incentives has dropped from $10.50 per watt in 1998 to $7.60 per watt in 2007, according to a report titled “Tracking the Sun: The Installed Cost of Photovoltaics in the U.S. From 1998-2007” by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

To become a photovoltaic installer, Zinthefer and an associate took courses at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. For a person who already was a master electrician, the training was primarily needed to learn about structural considerations such as roof capacities, he says.

Zinthefer went on to become one of the first solar-electric installers in Wisconsin certified under the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) in 2007. He’s now progressed to being an instructor himself as well as a compliance examiner for solar-electric projects. He is also certified for site assessments for solar-electric installation.

While completing the voluntary NABCEP certification process does not guarantee a professional’s work, it usually means he or she will do a good job and will uphold high standards of ethical and professional practice, Zinthefer says. The certification process promotes worker safety and skill, and safeguards consumers from getting improperly installed alternative-energy systems.

Zinthefer says the process of having a solar-electric system installed includes undergoing a site assessment from a certified site assessor, applying to Focus on Energy, the Wisconsin non-governmental agency that promotes alternative energy through grants and technical assistance, and applying to the local utility for its financial incentives. Arch Electric does all of these steps, he adds. After the installation is completed, the solar array must be examined for compliance with requirements.

About 80 percent of Arch Electric’s installations have been for schools and non-profit agencies who want to show their concern for the environment or provide curriculum for students. Completed project sites include Lakeshore Technical College in

Cleveland, Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee and Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in Jackson. One of Arch Electric’s most prominent projects, Zinthefer says, was installation of  a 2.24 kilowatt solar-electric awning on the front of the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church on Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee. The awning on the front of the big, stone church surrounds a more-than-life-size statue of Jesus Christ.

The solar awning might be the answer to the familiar question, “What would Jesus do?” Zinthefer quips.

By John Hill

You can contact John Hill by e-mail at jhoythill@sbcglobal.net.