January 11, 2011
News Release
Upland, Ind. -- ECI Wind and Solar, owned by Craig Porter and Eric Cotton of Lafayette, has been awarded a contract to install two wind turbines as part of Taylor University’s $41.5 million science construction project. Additionally, students from Ivy Tech’s Lafayette campus will serve internships during the project.
According to company CEO Eric Cotton, ECI Wind and Solar, based in Fairmount, Ind., has installed a number of renewable energy systems throughout the State of Indiana. Taylor officials say the renewable wind energy is a component of their efforts to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification for the new complex, scheduled for opening in the fall of 2012.
At a cost of $700,000, the Taylor University project consists of two Endurance E-3120 50 KW wind turbines, which will be installed on 120 foot monopole towers. ECI will also install a 10 KW solar photovoltaic system on the new science complex.
Cotton said the project represents a significant milestone in the growth of ECI Wind and Solar. “This project will allow us to expand our workforce. It is a great example of how renewable energy projects lead to real economic development while providing energy independence, educational experience, and environmental benefit,” he said.
Isaac Slaven, Program Chair for the Sustainability program at Ivy Tech’s Lafayette campus said, “This is the exactly the kind of opportunity for which we have been preparing our students; first as interns, then as graduates ready for the renewable energy workforce.”
About ECI Wind and Solar: ECI Wind and Solar designs and installs turnkey renewable energy solutions and has installed some of the most notable Renewable Energy Systems in the State of Indiana, including the largest battery based system in the Midwest.
Source: ECI Wind and Solar INC
ECI Wind and Solar is a founding member of both the Indiana Renewable Energy Association and Indiana Distributed Energy Advocates.
Showing posts with label ECI Wind and Solar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ECI Wind and Solar. Show all posts
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Attend Green Energy Town Hall Meeting Thursday, January 7th
Faith-based Town Hall Meeting Jan. 7th to Explore Indiana Energy Future State Senators Jim Merritt (left) and Jean Breaux (right) to Discuss Indiana's Energy Issues
INDIANAPOLIS - Energy experts and Indiana Senate leaders on utility issues will explore Indiana's energy future at a town hall-style meeting on
Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010
6:00 to 9:00 pm
Epworth United Methodist Church
6450 Allisonville Road
Indianapolis, IN 46220-4548
Click here for map.
The Indiana Renewable Energy Association (InREA) is one of the group's sponsoring the meeting. Eric Cotton with ECI Wind and Solar and VP of the InREA Board of Directors will discuss the need for changes in net metering regulations in Indiana.
All are invited to attend Green Energy-Green Jobs: A Legislative Town Hall Meeting and Information Fair at 6450 Allisonville Road from 6-9 p.m. In particular, people of faith are invited to learn about energy issues in Indiana and how to get involved in shaping our energy future.
The town hall meeting will be held from 7:30 to 9:00 and will feature a panel of experts talking about Indiana's current energy environment, followed by a town hall discussion with Sen. James Merritt, R-Indianapolis, and Sen. Jean Breaux, D-Indianapolis. The discussion will be moderated by Jon Schwantes of WFYI's Indiana Lawmakers.
Senator Merritt chairs the Indiana Senate's Utilities and Technology Committee and Senator Breaux is its ranking minority member. In 2009, close to 50 bills and resolutions were introduced in the Indiana General Assembly related to energy, utilities, coal, renewable energy, net metering and other energy-related issues. This public forum will provide a preview of energy issues in the 2010 General Assembly and how citizens can get involved in the debate.
Audience members are encouraged to submit questions in advance for Senators Merritt and Breaux to Epworthgreenteam@gmail.com .
The event also will include an information fair from 6 to 7:30 p.m., featuring exhibits on renewable energy, faith-based environmental stewardship and how to get involved in legislative issues. Light refreshments will also be available.
The event is co-sponsored by Epworth United Methodist Green Team, Indianapolis Green Congregations, Hoosier Environmental Council, Indiana Renewable Energy Association and the Indianapolis Business Alliance for Local Living Economies.
If you have questions about this event, call 251-1481 or email Epworthgreenteam@gmail.com .
Monday, October 19, 2009
Speakers criticize Indiana energy laws
By Lana Kunz
Sunday, October 18, 2009
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/oct/18/speakerscriticizeindiana-energy-laws/
If net metering — an idea that allows buildings that use alternative energy sources to sell their extra power back to utilities — were a test, Indiana barely would pass, according to one report.
Indiana earned a D grade on net metering, according to the "Freeing the Grid 2008" report by the Network for New Energy Sources.
A crowd of about 30 people was educated about alternative energy Saturday at the first South West Indiana Solar Tour at the Ohio Township Public Library in Newburgh.
Several of the speakers promoted various alternative sources of energy, but the main focus was educating the public on net metering and Indiana's limited participation requirements for power companies.
"Net metering is this idea that you can spin your meter backward when you're not using energy," said Eric Cotton , a partner at East Central Indiana Wind and Solar.
Net metering allows buildings with alternative energy sources to sell the excess power to the power company.
"We're trying to make people aware that Indiana is behind the times," said Brad Morton, president of Morton Solar and Wind LLC, which sponsored the event.
"Freeing the Grid 2008" also reports that Indiana is the only state to exclude commercial and industrial customers from net metering.
Currently Indiana's regulations only require power companies to buy energy from residential and K-12 schools, even though some facilities "sometimes go above and beyond" what is required, Cotton said.
Vectren Energy also net meters municipal buildings, such as the Ohio Township Public Library, which has solar panels on its roof.
"The law has not caught up with the technology," Morton said.
Some that attended the event do not rely on the power grid at all.
"We built a house where electricity isn't available, hopefully as urban sprawl continues we can eventually connect to the grid," said Doug Gresham, who lives north of Boonville, Ind., off the power grid.
State limits
Current state law limits not only the type of consumer that can sell back energy, but how much they can sell, the size of the system generating the alternative energy, the types of energy utilities are required to buy, pays only a wholesale rate back to the consumer and does not require all power companies to net meter.
"We're trying to focus on getting these laws changed," Morton said. "Most of this stuff is not new, it's just new to Indiana."
The event included a self-guided tour of buildings that use alter-native energy applications.
East Side resident Mark Ambrose said he attended the event, "Just to get an education, I'm very interested in the solar side of this equation."
After purchasing a hybrid vehicle, Ambrose is "slowly embracing the need to lower the need for petroleum" and considering making the next step in adjustments to his home.
Geothermal, solar and wind power were the main alternative energy sources discussed.
"Geothermal is a way to extract energy from the earth and use it as usable energy in your home," President of HF Refrigeration Andy Harbison said in his speech on the geothermal heating and cooling units his company installs.
Harbison said his customers have seen 40 percent to 60 percent off utilities each month with their initial investment paid back in five to seven years.
Morton showed a map compiled by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration that showed Southwestern Indiana receives more solar intensity than the rest of the state. "Southwest Indiana should take the lead due to its solar resources," Morton said.
Brad Morton with Morton Solar & Wind LLC and Eric Cotton with East Central Indiana Wind & Solar are both Founding Members of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association and both serve on the Board of Directors.
Sponsors of the meeting included Evansville-based Sustainable Communities Coalition, the Izaak Walton League of America--Evansville Chapter and the Indiana Renewable Energy Association.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/oct/18/speakerscriticizeindiana-energy-laws/
If net metering — an idea that allows buildings that use alternative energy sources to sell their extra power back to utilities — were a test, Indiana barely would pass, according to one report.
Indiana earned a D grade on net metering, according to the "Freeing the Grid 2008" report by the Network for New Energy Sources.
A crowd of about 30 people was educated about alternative energy Saturday at the first South West Indiana Solar Tour at the Ohio Township Public Library in Newburgh.
Several of the speakers promoted various alternative sources of energy, but the main focus was educating the public on net metering and Indiana's limited participation requirements for power companies.
"Net metering is this idea that you can spin your meter backward when you're not using energy," said Eric Cotton , a partner at East Central Indiana Wind and Solar.
Net metering allows buildings with alternative energy sources to sell the excess power to the power company.
"We're trying to make people aware that Indiana is behind the times," said Brad Morton, president of Morton Solar and Wind LLC, which sponsored the event.
"Freeing the Grid 2008" also reports that Indiana is the only state to exclude commercial and industrial customers from net metering.
Currently Indiana's regulations only require power companies to buy energy from residential and K-12 schools, even though some facilities "sometimes go above and beyond" what is required, Cotton said.
Vectren Energy also net meters municipal buildings, such as the Ohio Township Public Library, which has solar panels on its roof.
"The law has not caught up with the technology," Morton said.
Some that attended the event do not rely on the power grid at all.
"We built a house where electricity isn't available, hopefully as urban sprawl continues we can eventually connect to the grid," said Doug Gresham, who lives north of Boonville, Ind., off the power grid.
State limits
Current state law limits not only the type of consumer that can sell back energy, but how much they can sell, the size of the system generating the alternative energy, the types of energy utilities are required to buy, pays only a wholesale rate back to the consumer and does not require all power companies to net meter.
"We're trying to focus on getting these laws changed," Morton said. "Most of this stuff is not new, it's just new to Indiana."
The event included a self-guided tour of buildings that use alter-native energy applications.
East Side resident Mark Ambrose said he attended the event, "Just to get an education, I'm very interested in the solar side of this equation."
After purchasing a hybrid vehicle, Ambrose is "slowly embracing the need to lower the need for petroleum" and considering making the next step in adjustments to his home.
Geothermal, solar and wind power were the main alternative energy sources discussed.
"Geothermal is a way to extract energy from the earth and use it as usable energy in your home," President of HF Refrigeration Andy Harbison said in his speech on the geothermal heating and cooling units his company installs.
Harbison said his customers have seen 40 percent to 60 percent off utilities each month with their initial investment paid back in five to seven years.
Morton showed a map compiled by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration that showed Southwestern Indiana receives more solar intensity than the rest of the state. "Southwest Indiana should take the lead due to its solar resources," Morton said.
Brad Morton with Morton Solar & Wind LLC and Eric Cotton with East Central Indiana Wind & Solar are both Founding Members of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association and both serve on the Board of Directors.
Sponsors of the meeting included Evansville-based Sustainable Communities Coalition, the Izaak Walton League of America--Evansville Chapter and the Indiana Renewable Energy Association.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Green energy creates jobs
The following letter to the editor from Eric Cotton appeared in the Muncie Star Press on June 16, 2009, in response to a letter to the editor from Shirley Reese which appeared on June 8, 2009.
Muncie Star Press
June 16, 2009
Green energy creates jobs
by ERIC COTTON, ECI Wind and Solar LLC, Fairmount
Recently, Shirley Reese asked in her letter, "Green has a cost," what the bottom line is for green jobs and renewable energy. As a partner with ECI Wind and Solar, let me provide some business insights.
The bottom line is energy that comes from the sun, wind, biomass, and geothermal heat is free forever -- after you invest in the capital needed to harness it. It's also inherently domestic, so jobs and revenue stay local.
As for oil and coal: No one is saying these absolutely cannot be used. In fact, our electricity demand grows by 1 percent per month in the U.S. Even with rapid and aggressive deployment of renewable energy sources, we will struggle to keep up with our increase in demand. Coal and other traditional energy resources will still be in our energy portfolio.
To make these sources viable, we need to close the carbon loophole that allows the fossil fuel industry to displace the economic impacts of their pollution onto the taxpayer -- and we do pay dearly, both in public health costs and diminished ecosystem services.
As for jobs, the bottom line is that renewable energy -- and energy efficiency -- creates at least twice as many jobs per megawatt and per dollar as fossil fuels. Much of renewable energy is manufactured and installed: There are just inherently more man-hours involved than in traditional energy sources. While Mike Pence is decrying the costs of renewable energy, renewable energy is creating jobs right here in Muncie via Brevini.
Eric Cotton is a partner in ECI Wind and Solar in Fairmount. He is a founding member of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association and currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors. Cotton can be reached at 765-702-0231 or eric@eciwindandsolar.com.
June 8, 2009
Green has a cost
by SHIRLEY REESE, Selma
I read in the paper that State Sen. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, and the liberal activist group MoveOn.org are pals. They are putting forth the idea that we must have clean energy jobs. Please explain to me what are these clean energy jobs and how much is it going to cost Muncie and Indiana? How many jobs will be lost when green jobs are created?
Congresswoman Michele Bachman says green jobs mean jobs lost. Spain found that for every green job created, 2.2 jobs were lost.
What are the hidden costs? I would be interested in knowing because we have learned that there are always repercussions when organizations like MoveOn.org are involved. Their agenda is always couched in attractive language such as "creating incentives, and renewable energy standards for American businesses," (laws and mandates). What is the bottom line?
The Windy City of Chicago might look good with a windmill on every block, but Indiana? No one seems to want a field of ghostly, noisy windmills in their back yards.
The Star Press article said they want to hear from ordinary Hoosiers. I'm asking the senator and MoveOn.org why can't all forms of energy be used? What is wrong with drilling for oil and using the clean coal methods that we have?
I will contact my representative, but it won't be Evan Bayh. I'll be contacting Mike Pence. I am getting sick of the term "green." It used to be a favorite color, but not any more.
Muncie Star Press
June 16, 2009
Green energy creates jobs
by ERIC COTTON, ECI Wind and Solar LLC, Fairmount
Recently, Shirley Reese asked in her letter, "Green has a cost," what the bottom line is for green jobs and renewable energy. As a partner with ECI Wind and Solar, let me provide some business insights.
The bottom line is energy that comes from the sun, wind, biomass, and geothermal heat is free forever -- after you invest in the capital needed to harness it. It's also inherently domestic, so jobs and revenue stay local.
As for oil and coal: No one is saying these absolutely cannot be used. In fact, our electricity demand grows by 1 percent per month in the U.S. Even with rapid and aggressive deployment of renewable energy sources, we will struggle to keep up with our increase in demand. Coal and other traditional energy resources will still be in our energy portfolio.
To make these sources viable, we need to close the carbon loophole that allows the fossil fuel industry to displace the economic impacts of their pollution onto the taxpayer -- and we do pay dearly, both in public health costs and diminished ecosystem services.
As for jobs, the bottom line is that renewable energy -- and energy efficiency -- creates at least twice as many jobs per megawatt and per dollar as fossil fuels. Much of renewable energy is manufactured and installed: There are just inherently more man-hours involved than in traditional energy sources. While Mike Pence is decrying the costs of renewable energy, renewable energy is creating jobs right here in Muncie via Brevini.
Eric Cotton is a partner in ECI Wind and Solar in Fairmount. He is a founding member of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association and currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors. Cotton can be reached at 765-702-0231 or eric@eciwindandsolar.com.
June 8, 2009
Green has a cost
by SHIRLEY REESE, Selma
I read in the paper that State Sen. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, and the liberal activist group MoveOn.org are pals. They are putting forth the idea that we must have clean energy jobs. Please explain to me what are these clean energy jobs and how much is it going to cost Muncie and Indiana? How many jobs will be lost when green jobs are created?
Congresswoman Michele Bachman says green jobs mean jobs lost. Spain found that for every green job created, 2.2 jobs were lost.
What are the hidden costs? I would be interested in knowing because we have learned that there are always repercussions when organizations like MoveOn.org are involved. Their agenda is always couched in attractive language such as "creating incentives, and renewable energy standards for American businesses," (laws and mandates). What is the bottom line?
The Windy City of Chicago might look good with a windmill on every block, but Indiana? No one seems to want a field of ghostly, noisy windmills in their back yards.
The Star Press article said they want to hear from ordinary Hoosiers. I'm asking the senator and MoveOn.org why can't all forms of energy be used? What is wrong with drilling for oil and using the clean coal methods that we have?
I will contact my representative, but it won't be Evan Bayh. I'll be contacting Mike Pence. I am getting sick of the term "green." It used to be a favorite color, but not any more.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Two Northern Indiana "Green" Businesses to be Showcased at Meeting June 13th
The Indiana Renewable Energy Association will highlight two "green" Nappanee-based businesses for installing solar systems and taking additional energy conservation steps. An open house will be held this weekend for auto dealership McCormick Motors and fur buying and trading company UNL Furs.
June 9, 2009
Indiana Renewable Energy Association (InREA) will host a public open house Saturday, June 13 for two "green" Nappanee businesses, highlighting the installed solar systems and additional energy conservation steps taken by the businesses. State Representative Wes Culver will speak at 12:00 noon at McCormick Motors, followed by presentations on renewable energy, and lunch will be served. McCormick Motors, a Nappanee auto dealership, will be open from 11:30 am - 2:30 pm. UNL Furs, a fur buying and trading business also of Nappanee; will be open for tours from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
“We are pleased to have a prominent state legislator and businessman such as Wes Culver attending our open house,” said Laura Ann Arnold, president of InREA. “He’s an active advocate for renewable energy; he introduced a bill to provide a tax credit for those who invest in a residential renewable energy system, and he supports action to remove the cap that individuals can sell back to utilities on electricity produced by their systems.”
McCormick Motors auto dealership features a solar grid-tied system, connected to the local utility company, installed in February 2009 by Home and Mobile Energy of Middlebury. The installation was partially funded with a grant winning from the Indiana Office of Energy Development Alternative Power and Energy Program. McCormick's has taken many other energy conservation steps including adding insulation, high-efficiency lighting and programmable equipment that is turned on by demand only. McCormick Motors is located at 1255 W. Market Street in Nappanee.
UNL Furs’ renewable energy system, installed in September 2008 by Home and Mobile Energy, includes both solar and wind power applications. These off-grid solar and wind systems provide power for this fur buying and trading business. UNL Furs is owned by Ura Hochstetler and is located at 10558 North, 900 West, also in Nappanee.
The featured presentations on renewable energy will take place at McCormick Motors from 1:00 pm.-2:30 pm. Gordon Moore, owner of McCormick Motors, will discuss his research and implementation of renewable energy and conservation over the past decade. The auto dealership’s renewable energy project was designed in collaboration with an economics class at Goshen College, and serves as an ongoing educational sight for Goshen College.
Following Moore’s presentation, Arnold will talk about InREA’s mission and how to become involved in the promotion of renewable energy.
Leon Bontrager of Home and Mobile Energy and Eric Cotton of ECI Wind and Solar will give a presentation on net metering, explaining the billing arrangement between a utility company and a customer with a grid-tied renewable energy system. The presentation will include discussions on what a customer should look for in an agreement with the utility company, how Indiana compares with other states, how NEC codes affect installations and the difference in regulations between public utilities, co-ops and municipalities.
InREA was formed in 2008 by individuals and businesses supporting renewable energy development in the State of Indiana. The mission of InREA is to promote the use of renewable energy technologies, environmental sustainability and economic development in the State of Indiana. More information is available online at http://www.indianarenew.org/.
Source: Home and Mobile Energy
June 9, 2009
Indiana Renewable Energy Association (InREA) will host a public open house Saturday, June 13 for two "green" Nappanee businesses, highlighting the installed solar systems and additional energy conservation steps taken by the businesses. State Representative Wes Culver will speak at 12:00 noon at McCormick Motors, followed by presentations on renewable energy, and lunch will be served. McCormick Motors, a Nappanee auto dealership, will be open from 11:30 am - 2:30 pm. UNL Furs, a fur buying and trading business also of Nappanee; will be open for tours from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
“We are pleased to have a prominent state legislator and businessman such as Wes Culver attending our open house,” said Laura Ann Arnold, president of InREA. “He’s an active advocate for renewable energy; he introduced a bill to provide a tax credit for those who invest in a residential renewable energy system, and he supports action to remove the cap that individuals can sell back to utilities on electricity produced by their systems.”
McCormick Motors auto dealership features a solar grid-tied system, connected to the local utility company, installed in February 2009 by Home and Mobile Energy of Middlebury. The installation was partially funded with a grant winning from the Indiana Office of Energy Development Alternative Power and Energy Program. McCormick's has taken many other energy conservation steps including adding insulation, high-efficiency lighting and programmable equipment that is turned on by demand only. McCormick Motors is located at 1255 W. Market Street in Nappanee.
UNL Furs’ renewable energy system, installed in September 2008 by Home and Mobile Energy, includes both solar and wind power applications. These off-grid solar and wind systems provide power for this fur buying and trading business. UNL Furs is owned by Ura Hochstetler and is located at 10558 North, 900 West, also in Nappanee.
The featured presentations on renewable energy will take place at McCormick Motors from 1:00 pm.-2:30 pm. Gordon Moore, owner of McCormick Motors, will discuss his research and implementation of renewable energy and conservation over the past decade. The auto dealership’s renewable energy project was designed in collaboration with an economics class at Goshen College, and serves as an ongoing educational sight for Goshen College.
Following Moore’s presentation, Arnold will talk about InREA’s mission and how to become involved in the promotion of renewable energy.
Leon Bontrager of Home and Mobile Energy and Eric Cotton of ECI Wind and Solar will give a presentation on net metering, explaining the billing arrangement between a utility company and a customer with a grid-tied renewable energy system. The presentation will include discussions on what a customer should look for in an agreement with the utility company, how Indiana compares with other states, how NEC codes affect installations and the difference in regulations between public utilities, co-ops and municipalities.
InREA was formed in 2008 by individuals and businesses supporting renewable energy development in the State of Indiana. The mission of InREA is to promote the use of renewable energy technologies, environmental sustainability and economic development in the State of Indiana. More information is available online at http://www.indianarenew.org/.
Source: Home and Mobile Energy
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