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Relying on sunshine

Welch starts solar consulting group

— Submitted photo Logan Welch is the founder, CEO and designer at Energen Solar Group. He started the business at the first of the year and offers consulting and design services for those interested in using solar energy for their homes, businesses or ag operations.

Sometimes it takes a leap of faith when entrepreneurs decide to start a new business. After working in the solar energy industry for several years, Logan Welch of Webster City has made the leap to open his own consulting and design firm.

Welch is the founder, chief executive officer and lead solar engineer for Energen Solar Group.

“I see the solar market exploding in the next year or two,” he said. “My exposure to the solar industry the past five years has led me to see the gaps in the market.”

Welch said the solar industry in Iowa is still in its infancy but believes the state could become more like Illinois or Missouri where there are incentives and other factors moving the needle forward on this industry.

“It’s going to take off,” he said. That’s one of the reasons that he decided to begin his own consulting firm and to be “that solar guy for hire” since many electrical contractors don’t have a dedicated solar engineer.

Welch said he’s seeing more residential solar usage as well seeing growth in agricultural applications and light commercial use. Those markets are “growing like weeds,” according to Welch.

“Those users are taking ownership of their own usage and producing it,” he said.

The business has three facets. As a designer, Welch has a NABCEP certification, which means he has credentials as an energy practitioner. He can work with electrical contractors to design solar arrays and systems.

He can also serve in a sales role for solar stores that may not have a sales force.

“I can kind of talk the talk and help people navigate those waters,” he said.

And finally, he can serve as a turn-key solar installer.

“Through my partnerships with installers, with distributors for materials, and with electrical contractors, I can be that project manager,” he said.

“I’m kind of your one-stop-shop. And with my relationships, I can negotiate the best price.”

Welch said he can also serve as the “voice of reason” for potential solar energy users. He offers a free consultation to guide customers through what to expect cost-wise, solar panel size requirements, paybacks and which avenue to take based on the customer’s own unique situation and location.

He said while some solar stores may rush to sell and install units to unsuspecting clients, he tries to slow down the approach and learn more about the customer’s needs.

“I try to put the customer in touch with reputable, real-world estimates,” he said, adding that educating the client about what to expect is also an important part of his job.

Welch said that there are very few downsides to operating a solar energy system.

“Shade, I guess,” he said, chuckling. “It is truly the only renewable resource, and it has no impact other than shade.”

The units, such as those mounted on the top of a commercial building, can help reduce the temperature in the building since the solar panels are collecting the suns rays which would otherwise be absorbed by the roof of the building.

There’s very little maintenance involved in using solar panels, according to Welch. Most units are warrantied for upwards of 25 years.

“That’s kind of the industry standard,” he said. “The upfront costs, you’re going to pay yourself back after five or six years, and then you’ll have 17 to 20 years of free power.”

He added that the inverters, the part that converts the voltage from the sun to usage AC voltage, also have 12 to 25 year warranties.

He’s not operating the business alone. Welch said he had several partners who have signed on to be electrical contractors, solar installers, the financing arm of his company and distribution.

And his wife, Lindsay McCormick-Welch, is also part of the business and will be handling many of the administrative tasks.

To contact Energen Solar Group, visit the company’s website at www.energensolargroup.com or call 835-8537.

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