Solar panels made in Minneapolis? You betcha! Itek Energy opened their Minneapolis facility just over a year ago, in January of 2015. We spoke with Paul Krumrich to learn more about their burgeoning business.
Getting settled: Headquartered in Washington State, Itek Energy started production of solar panels in 2011, and partnership with Spye Inc. was Itek’s first step to bringing their panels into the booming Minnesota solar market. Solar installers Powerfully Green and All Energy were the initial two installers in Minnesota utilizing Itek panels. Itek spent 2015 getting their foot in the door to the Minnesota solar community. Itek Energy now has six employees in South Minneapolis. Many of them bike to work, and they conveniently share their building with a bike shop.
Ramping up: They are optimistic about what 2016 will hold as the next round of Made in Minnesota solar rebates allows more people learn about their products. In 2015 they manufactured 700 modules (270, 275, and 280 watt) used in 27 projects in Minnesota. Their goal for 2016 is to manufacture and sell 3 megawatts in Minnesota, which would equal 10,500 modules and 1,500% growth. Currently Itek makes the laminates and sends them to Minneapolis to be competed, but they intend to get equipment to build the laminates here as soon as is feasible.
Efficiency first: Spye and Itek are also committed to energy efficiency, and are setting a great example with their own building. When they bought their South Minneapolis building in 2012 they wisely invested in $45,000 worth of energy retrofits to the building. They put in 2.5 inches of expandable foam on all of the interior brick walls and added a vapor barrier, dramatically increasing the R value. They reconfigured the building and used new glass windows, walls, and cubicles to maximize the new Lutron lighting controls. The controls feature daylight and motion sensors in all rooms to dramatically reduce lighting use. The payoff for this system is under five years and their payoff for the insulated walls will be under ten years.
