At a time when sustainability, energy security, and cost efficiency are becoming increasingly vital, Sub-Zero, a leading America-based manufacturer of refrigeration, freezer, and wine storage products, has taken a significant step towards reducing their carbon footprint. By partnering with NATiVE, Sub-Zero was able to create an impactful solar installation at their Dallas showroom, embodying their commitment to environmental responsibility.

Sub-Zero’s Sustainability Goals
Sub-Zero has long been committed to sustainability, aiming to minimize their environmental impact through various initiatives. The company is dedicated to reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and operating in an eco-friendly manner. Their Dallas showroom was therefore an ideal place to implement their sustainability goals.

Kristin Darnell, the regional marketing manager at Sub-Zero, expressed her enthusiasm for this project: “We’re proud to be working with NATiVE Solar as we strive to improve our showroom’s environmental impact. We just installed 139 solar panels on the roof of the Dallas showroom that will cut our energy consumption by about 25%. Knowing that we own this building, we are able to make long-term investments that align with our company values and can better the Dallas community.”

The NATiVE Solar Installation
The heart of this sustainable transformation lies in the solar installation crafted by NATiVE. The system, just shy of 68 kW, comprises 139 Q-Cell 485 Watt solar modules plugged into 35 Yotta Energy microinverters. Each microinverter operates at 480 volts, accommodating four panels, making it one of NATiVE’s pioneering commercial microinverter projects.

This technology is not just cutting-edge; it’s a game-changer. Commercial microinverters like these allow NATiVE to compete with other commercial-scale technologies while offering an easier installation and monitoring process. This level of precision ensures that Sub-Zero can monitor the system on a panel-by-panel basis, providing a holistic understanding of energy generation and consumption. This enhanced monitoring capability enables NATiVE to provide reliable servicing over the system’s 25-year warranty life and beyond.

Sarah Northouse, Sustainability Project Lead for Sub-Zero, has been steering the sustainability ship since 2012. She had this to say about their collaboration with NATiVE: “Within 10 minutes of talking to NATiVE Solar, I felt that connection instantly. The project aligned with our aesthetics, their design was exactly within our project scope, and we are really proud of the outcome of the project and look forward to future projects with them.”

A Call to Action for Businesses
Sub-Zero’s successful solar installation stands as a testament to their commitment to sustainability and showcases the capabilities of NATiVE Solar. If your business owns commercial properties and seeks to invest in cheaper energy while meeting clean energy goals, NATiVE is your trusted partner every step of the way.

By harnessing the power of solar energy, your business can significantly reduce overhead costs and make a positive impact on the environment. Moreover, investing in sustainable practices like solar installations can be immensely appealing to consumers who are increasingly environmentally conscious.

We were happy to attend Sub-Zero’s Octoberfest Celebration

NATiVE’s expertise in designing, installing, and maintaining solar systems for commercial properties makes the transition to clean energy seamless and cost-effective for our customers. Our team works closely with you to understand your unique needs, providing tailored solutions that align with your sustainability goals. With NATiVE, you’re not just lowering your carbon footprint; you’re also improving your bottom line.

Sub-Zero’s recent solar installation at their Dallas showroom is an example of how businesses can achieve their sustainability objectives while reducing energy costs. As the world moves toward a greener future, the time is now for businesses to embrace clean energy solutions. If you’re a business owner with commercial properties, don’t miss the opportunity to follow in Sub-Zero’s footsteps. Contact NATiVE today to embark on your journey toward a sustainable and cost-effective energy future.

#TakeYourPowerBack with NATiVE Solar!

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As environmental consciousness and financial responsibility make their way to the forefront of our lives, the nonprofits and churches we support have a unique opportunity to harness solar power for both sustainable energy and increased financial support.

Thanks to a recent change in the tax law, nonprofits now have a reason to get involved in solar power and enjoy significant rewards. This new law allows churches and other nonprofit groups to get a 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC), a financial incentive that was previously only given to homeowners or businesses. The exciting part? This credit is now available as a direct payment from the IRS, thus presenting a great financial opportunity that can lead to lower electricity costs and more money that can be used for the important missions of nonprofit organizations.

Impact of the Solar ITC
The solar industry has changed a lot since the Solar Investment Tax Credit was introduced. According to SEIA, the solar ITC for homes and businesses has helped the U.S. solar industry grow tremendously since 2006, making it more than 200 times larger. It’s also helped the solar industry grow by about 33% every year for the last ten years, making it one of the most important ways the government encourages clean energy in the United States.

Direct Payment: A Big Deal for Nonprofits
The Direct Payment option from the IRS is a big change that turns the ITC into actual money for nonprofit groups. This means nonprofits can get the credit amount as a direct payment, which gives them more money to work with and makes their financial situation better. Think about it: lower energy costs plus extra money that can be used for important goals like community projects and the things nonprofits are working toward. This is a unique chance for these groups to not only reduce their environmental impact and create positive change, but also to get more financial benefits.

Extra Credits Bring More Savings
What’s even better is that the benefits of going solar don’t stop there. Projects can get up to six extra credits, which could mean nonprofits get back 70% of the cost of their project.

Four of these extra credits are part of the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program, which the IRS talked about on February 13, 2023 (you can read more about it here). Right now, projects can only apply for one of these four bonus credits. So, a project could either get a 10% or 20% bonus credit, depending on if they qualify.

The four bonus credits in the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program are:

• 10% bonus for projects in low-income areas
• 10% bonus for projects on Tribal Land
• 20% bonus for projects as part of a qualified low-income residential project
• 20% bonus for projects as part of a qualified low-income economic benefit project

There are also two extra 10% credits that can be added together. Projects that qualify can apply for both these bonus credits, along with the 30% main credit and one of the bonus credits from the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program.

The two extra stackable bonus credits are:

• 10% bonus for projects in an “energy community“
• 10% bonus for projects that meet requirements for domestic manufacturing

Good News for Churches
For churches, this solar energy revolution is really great. First, using solar power helps churches save a lot on electricity, so they have more money to use for helping the community, supporting members, and their spiritual goals. Second, the Direct Payment option makes the ITC into a financial asset that can be used for different things. This not only makes sure the church is financially stable, but it also helps them do more good things, provide help, and make lasting changes.

Taking the First Step
This new law offers such great financial opportunities to nonprofits that it encourages taking direct action. The way to benefit from solar energy has never been clearer. Your nonprofit, church, or community group has a chance to help the environment and save money in the long run, plus get significant financial rewards.

At NATiVE, we’re dedicated to helping nonprofits and churches succeed with solar energy. We’ve teamed up with RE-volv to assist nonprofits in underserved areas of Texas with going solar. Our experts know all about the ins and outs of solar energy incentives and can give you all the information you need to make the right choice. With our help, you, your church, or your favorite nonprofit can go through the process easily and make sure you get all the benefits of solar power, as well as the financial help your group deserves.

Embrace the power of the sun and start on a journey to a more sustainable and prosperous future. Contact NATiVE Solar below to learn more about how your nonprofit or church can make the most of this amazing opportunity. Together, we can all enjoy the advantages of using more solar energy in Texas!

Installing solar on your commercial properties makes great business sense. With a Solar PV system you’ll be able to:

• Reduce your operating costs – Commercial solar customers receive monthly solar bill credits for the energy produced by their on-site energy system.
• Take advantage of tax benefits – You may apply the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) to eligible projects to make a substantial impact on the payback of your system. A taxpayer who claims the commercial ITC can typically also take advantage of accelerated depreciation (Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System, or MACRS) to reduce the overall cost of a PV installation.
• Demonstrate social responsibility – Solar panels are a very visible way to demonstrate your commitment to sustainability. Customers are increasingly opting to spend money on products and services provided by companies that care about the environment.

Austin Energy Solar Incentives Help with Installation Costs
Austin Energy offers incentives to help reduce the cost of your solar energy system installation. Depending on the size of your system, you may be eligible to receive a one-time check or monthly bill credits.

Austin Energy offers two types of solar PV incentives to commercial customers:

• Austin Energy’s Commercial Solar Performance-Based Incentive (PBI) earns your business an extra credit on your monthly electric bill for the power your solar PV system generates. In most cases, the rebate level is based on the size of the system. Austin Energy calculates the payment amount by multiplying the rebate level by the monthly system production.
• With an Austin Energy Commercial Solar Capacity-Based Incentive (CBI), your business can earn an upfront check that is issued after your solar energy system has been installed. The rebate level is based on the size of the system, and the payment amount is calculated by multiplying the rebate level by the size of the system.

In addition to the commercial solar incentives, all solar systems are eligible to earn monthly bill credits that apply towards the electric portion of the bill for the energy produced by their on-site energy system.

With an installed solar PV system, your business will remain connected to the grid. While you generate a portion of your own electricity when the sun is shining, Austin Energy seamlessly takes over and continues to supply your electricity day or night when your PV system is not producing enough electricity for your building’s needs.

For more information, visit Austin Energy’s website

As your business grows, you are likely to be always in search of new and reliable ways to save money. Embracing the use of solar can be one of those solutions that will help you save some cash. After all, you will not only be saving money, but you will also be improving the climate; which is always a good thing to do.

Rather than spending millions of dollars using the traditional forms of energy, you can make use of free energy from the sun. A solar panel converts the sun’s energy into usable power.

The initial cost of installing such technology might seem a little high, but then if you consider the amount of money it will save your business in the long run, it becomes a worthwhile investment.

It will also show the world and your customers that you care about the climate. This way, giving your business an excellent reputation; hence making it the best choice for most customers. The following is a detailed description of why using solar power in your business is a good idea.

The numerous types of equipment used in an office setting mean the consumption of energy is high. This way, you will likely pay thousands of dollars of monthly electric bills. The most intriguing part is that the electric bills are regularly rising, making it one of the costliest endeavors for any business owner. You can solve this by going solar. Solar power will help you save money, which will, in turn, reduce your businesses energy bill. You can use the money saved to improve the various sectors of your organization.

You are likely to pay the cost incurred when installing solar technology in three to seven years. After that, you will enjoy the benefits of free electricity for the next thirty years or so. During this time, you will not worry about paying electric bills- allowing you to adjust your budget accordingly to make sure the money saved is well spent.

A business owner using solar energy is currently entitled to a federal tax credit. This way, you receive a financial benefit for embracing solar technology. You are also able to take advantage of several available local incentives.

*NOTE: The 30% Federal Tax Credit steps down according to the following schedule: 

Not only is embracing solar technology an excellent business investment, but it is also good for the environment. By giving up on using the traditional forms of energy and embracing solar power, you will have played a role in reducing the carbon footprint in the world. Solar energy is a pure source of power that is clean and brings no harm to the environment- no harmful gases or chemicals released to the air. This way, your company will play a part in trying to make the world a better place.

Sudden power blackouts are a common thing when you are using traditional sources of energy. The fact that they happen unexpectedly, mean they are likely to get you into trouble with some of your clients. It could be the reason you lose a client. Nevertheless, this is not the case when it comes to using solar energy. It is almost impossible for you to experience a power outage when you are using solar panels. This way, the technology makes you more reliable, and your customers can trust you to deliver.

When you get to think about it, there is no maintenance needed for the solar panels. Read more about solar panels here. All you need to do is make sure the panels are clean, keeping them in excellent shape to ensure they have a lengthier lifespan. The solar panels do not move in any way; this guarantees they are never damaged.

You are allowed to deduct 85 percent of the money you spent on purchasing the solar panel in the first years of using it. This way, the upfront payment for the solar technology is significantly reduced.

Customers will be inclined to choose your business if they believe you are playing a part in the sustainability of the world. Why not embrace solar energy and save more while still attracting more customers towards your brand.

By installing a solar panel in your property, the value of the property increases. The property becomes self-reliant, and anyone buying it will inherit a reliable property.

Your employees are likely to respect you and your business if they see that you care for the environment. A happy employee will likely mean a successful business.

From the above information, it is clear that your business will benefit if you embrace solar technology. It sets your business apart from the rest, giving you an edge over your competition.