At Work With NJ Solar Solutions

Name: NJ Solar Solutions Inc.

Type of business: Designs and Installs solar energy systems for commercial, residential buildings

Address: 212 Durham Ave., Building #4, Suite 103A, Metuchen

Telephone: (732) 548-0426; (732) 496-2781 (cell for Drexinger)

Website: www.njsolarsolutions.com

Number of employees: 8

Founded: 2004

Top officers: Owners John Drexinger, Paul D. Zensky and Peter J. Osowski vice president

"We design and install advanced solar technology to provide solar-powered electricity and solar-powered hot water and pool heating in the most cost effective and efficient manner for homes and businesses, " said John Drexinger.

Using the natural rays of the sun through a direct grid--tie system connecting to the electricity system provides a dependable long-term energy investment

With the rebates and energy certificates that the state of New Jersey provides from the NJ Clean Energy Program and Federal Tax credits of up to 30 percent, and the lack of an electrical bill, property owners can install systems that will pay for themselves in a few years.

People need to understand that there is no greater investment that you can make on your home than solar.

"Every situation is unique. There is no charge for the evaluation. We will prepare a detailed proposal for your system and help you complete all paperwork including rebate applications and required building or other permits. When all the paper work is in place the system will be installed.

The first thing we must know is what is your energy consumption and if we can reduce that consumption by making upgrades in the air conditioning or other high-energy use items in the home or business. If updates are made, we can reduce the size of the solar system needed and it makes sense for the clients. If they have a 25-year-old air conditioning system, why not have the client make the upgrade to the air conditioning system and reduce their electrical usage by 20-25 percent with the more modern equipment? That investment will be a one-quarter of what they would pay for solar for the size of the older system. What we are telling people is to review your energy use and make an investment in upgrading to more efficient methods then install a solar system."

"We'd like to grow our business. Right now we are located in Central New Jersey. In the coming months we'd like to expand our business to the surrounding states of Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

In my office there are two pictures -- one of the 9/11 and the towers and one of the USS Arizona. I don't want what happened on those dates to ever happen again. My goal is to make our country energy independent and free of fossil fuels -- that is what we are working toward."

"We went from a residential customer installation company to installing large-scale solar systems for commercial businesses. Right now we are on negotiating with NJ Ferraro Construction to put in a solar hot water system for the first zero energy 42,000 square-foot building to be occupied by 125 people."

"Every installation is an important deal. Our largest project was our recent installation of two 700 kilowatt systems for Hall's Warehouse in South Plainfield with DTSolar containing a total of 7,500 panels We've also done installations for Sussex County Community College and utility companies.

Building residential systems is very important as well. We installed solar systems in 50 residences in last 12 months. If you don't continue to build a residential base and build a sustainable industry for solar to allow other companies to come into solar in the future, there won't be a sustainable industry for the future."

"In that time we expect to be a national firm. Installing solar-electric and solar-water units are our two main streams of business, but we are growing. Green building design and consulting are part of our business plan."

"The most important thing I've learned is to be honest with people. You can't sell with the concept that there will be a rebate forever and the client has to know when the rebate amount has gone down.

You have to be upfront and honest with your client. In the last few years, there are some companies in this business who haven't been honest. The State of New Jersey has allotted a sum of money as incentives in the form of rebates for individuals to install solar panels on their homes. If I sign a contract with you and didn't tell you that the rebates in New Jersey were going down in August and I signed the contract with you that states that any change in the rebate is your responsibility, but didn't tell you that the rebate is going down -- that is dishonest. This is what can happen in our industry."

"Do your research and become comfortable with the technology. I recommend you contact the local trade group within the state you want to operate in and get to know the people and let them talk to you and don't be discouraged if someone tries to stop you. When my partner and I started we were discouraged from doing this and now we are in competition with that company."

"No. I love what I do. There is nothing greater than helping people to help themselves save money and solar also helps the environment."