Solar power is becoming an attractive way to offset energy costs, and one local businessman knows his way around the rays.
Terry Moag, president of The Radiant Store in Malta, was recently recognized for his work and achievements in the area of solar energy by the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA), receiving an Outstanding Achievement award in their Solar Thermal Program.
The Solar Thermal Program started in 2010, and since then Moag and his crews have installed 50 systems that have displaced 264,000 kWh of electricity. Prior to starting his business, Moag worked for 17 years in the mechanical contracting field installing HVAC equipment, specializing in radiant heating.
Moag opened The Radiant Store in 2005.
“In the beginning there really wasn’t much of a market here inthe U.S. Then in 2005-2006 when oil prices went upward people wanted energy relief, suddenly I got on the radar. It was very interesting. In the last five years the market has grown respectively,” he said.
That growth is reflected in sales at his business. Moag reported that he went from virtually zero dollars – and through a lot of his savings –to $2 million in revenues in the last half-decade. Now he employees 10 people during his peak seasons.
Solar installations done by The Radiant Store are about evenlysplit between commercial and residential projects.
“As a rule, thermal technology involves a pretty broad spectrum. There is breaking technology on collecting infrared light to produce heat and processing that heat to make use of it. The technology has a lot of applied functions,” Moag said.
Many of the installations he does are for heating hot water. Traditionally, a hot water heater can make up roughly 14 percent of a home’s total energy bill. In many cases a solar system can replace the need for the electric hot water heater.
Moag also does energy audits for homes and businesses and can inform those customers about what can be done to reduce energy costs. He credits NYSERDA with being great to work with.
There are different types of solar applications, but the most common are PV, or photovoltaic, and account for a majority of the installations done by The Radiant Store. PV systems generate electricity by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity.
“There has been an increase in PV installations since prices for them came down and are now more affordable. The number of installers has also grown,” said Dayle Zatlin, assistant director of communications for NYSERDA.
Costs vary according to the size of the system and the electricity usage of the home, but an average cost for a homeowner to install a 4-kilowatt solar electric system is around $24,000, Zatlin estimates.
“After factoring in assistance from the NYSERDA program as wella s federal and state tax credits, the cost for the homeowner would come down to around $9,000,” she said.
The Solar Thermal Program has a bankroll of $25 million. There is a cap of $4,000 in aid for residential sites and $25,000 for non-residential sites.
Installations that are oriented to be south facing are the most successful and can offset about 4,600 kWh per year. This could add up to 70 to 80 percent of a home’s electricity needs. Warming swimming pool water temperatures and cooking applications are also ways that solar has been used.
“Statewide, solar installations of PV Applications in 2011 were 713 residential, 505 commercial, and 110 nonprofit. The grand total is 1,328 installations,” said Zatlin.
The top counties for installing solar projects in 2011 were Erie, Dutchess, Queens and Westchester.
Applications for the NYSERDA program will continue to beaccepted through 2015. For more information on the program, contact NYSERDA.
Outside of work, Moag said, “I spend my downtime working out at the YMCA and I am a licensed fly fishing guide. My passion outside of work is finding a cure for Juvenile diabetes, my son Ryan was diagnosed at age 10. I am an active supporter of the Juvenile diabetes foundation.”
“He has definitely been the greatest positive influence on my life, watching him deal with injecting insulin 10 times a day, countless blood sugar highs and lows while still maintaining his grades in school and being an athlete. He is quite an inspiration and I think of his courage and determination to fight his disease when I feel like giving up. He has taught me a lot of valuable lessons about what is important in life,” he said.
