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Solar guide helps installers take customers through federal solar grant application process

by Shield Wall Media Staff

As part of its mission to help people go solar, national nonprofit Solar United Neighbors (SUN) has released a new guide to help farmers and rural small business owners apply for a key federal grant and loan. This will make it easier for solar installers to guide them through the process of installing solar energy at their property. The comprehensive guide takes applicants step-by-step through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) application process. 

“It’s a great time for farms or rural small businesses to go solar,” said Anya Schoolman, Solar United Neighbors Executive Director. “We’re excited to offer this first-of-its-kind guide to help installers guide customers through the process.”

REAP started in 2002 as part of the federal Farm Bill. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development administers this grant and loan program. The program is designed to help farmers and rural small businesses access renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

The REAP program has been so popular that funding for the grants has not been able to meet the demand. The Inflation Reduction Act, passed last year, addresses this challenge. It quadruples REAP funding over the next ten years.

“Going solar eight years ago is one of the best decisions I have made since I started farming,” said Art Thicke of Enchanted Meadows dairy farm in LaCrescent, Minnesota. “We have enough solar panels to produce the electricity we use so our energy costs are fixed. When energy prices go up we don’t notice. Farmers looking to control costs and increase sustainability should take advantage of REAP and other programs to go solar.”

Farmers and rural small business owners can receive loan guarantees of up to 75% of total eligible project costs through REAP. They can receive grants for up to 40% of the total project cost.

Solar United Neighbors has helped more than a dozen applicants apply for a REAP grant or loan.

The USDA accepts applications twice a year. The first deadline is March 31. The second is October 31. SUN is hosting a free webinar February 2 to educate attendees about the REAP program and what steps they need to take to apply.

Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that works nationwide to represent the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. Solar co-ops are part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. Solar United Neighbors holds events and education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize the value of their solar investment, and advocate for fair solar policies.

S-5! Receives 2022 Metal Building Manufacturers Association Awards

by Shield Wall Media Staff

S-5!, the original inventor of engineered, manufactured, metal roof attachments, today was awarded the 2022 Gold Level Industry Advocate Award for outstanding service, participation and support of the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) and the 2022 MBMA Innovation Project Award.

Accepting on behalf of S-5! were CEO and Founder Rob Haddock, his sons Shawn Haddock and Dustin Haddock along with S-5!’s solar expert, Mark Gies at the MBMA annual meeting and awards presentation on Dec. 7 in Ft. Myers, Florida. S-5! was awarded for its contributions of volunteer time, expertise and advocacy of MBMA and the entire metal building industry.

Rob Haddock, Dustin Haddock, Shawn Haddock
From left, Shawn Haddock, Rob Haddock and Dustin Haddock of S-5! receive the 2022 MBMA Gold Level Industry Advocate Award. Photos courtesy of S-5!
Rob Haddock and Mark Gies, S-5!
From left, Rob Haddock and Mark Gies of S-5! receive the 2022 MBMA Innovation Project Award.

Among the many companies who were presented with gold, silver and bronze awards, S-5! earned the number one spot at the gold level and was recognized for exceptional commitment to promoting and enhancing MBMA initiatives, including participation in MBMA committees, advocacy efforts to enhance the metal building systems industry, attendance at MBMA educational and promotional events and safety program participation.

S-5! was also awarded the MBMA Innovation Project Award. Gies submitted an educational awareness campaign project focused on “Metal Roofing—the Perfect Platform for Solar Installations, Associated Costs Savings & Long-Term Return-on-Investment (ROI).”

“The main benefit of this project is added growth to the overall metal construction and metal roofing industry,” said Gies. “As contractors, building owners and all project stakeholders become more aware and educated about the benefits of metal roofing as a solar PV platform and as they understand the initial costs, lifetime costs and ROI and internal rate of return (IRR), they can make better choices about utilizing metal in construction and in roofing. And MBMA member businesses will benefit from this market growth.”

“We are honored to receive these awards and to be part of such an instrumental group of industry specialists and an organization that provides much-needed resources to those who work in metal building systems,” said Rob Haddock. 

AkzoNobel to provide metal coatings insights and innovations at METALCON

by Shield Wall Media Staff

Metal coatings experts from AkzoNobel Coil & Extrusion Coatings will be sharing the latest product insights and innovative application techniques at METALCON 2022, in Indianapolis, October 12-14.

AkzoNobel’s specialists will be leading a technical know-how session on What’s in a coating and its warranty for your pre-painted metal, where the company’s coating experts will walk attendees through the specifics of coating technologies, warranties and specifications.

Ranked in the top 100 trade shows in the country this year by Trade Show Executive Magazine, METALCON is dedicated to the use of metal in design and construction. The show also features “The Architect’s Experience”, a show-within-a-show that aims to inspire architects and show how metal can solve the toughest building design challenges.

METALCON attendees will also have the chance to talk with AkzoNobel coil and extrusion coating experts at booth #801, where they will be addressing industry questions head-on. These will include the hot topic of supply chain concerns and the need to find alternatives to products that contain PVDF, which is in high demand largely due to its increasing use in electric vehicle and solar panel technology. AkzoNobel has launched a series of videos on PVDF coatings to help companies navigate the current supply chain situation.

“We want attendees visiting our booth to truly experience what we can do for them. AkzoNobel Coil & Extrusion Coatings provide superior solutions for all customers, whatever their projects. Our products combine high performance, excellent aesthetics, versatile applications, and stronger sustainability – and we look forward to sharing our knowledge with METALCON visitors.” says Tamara Toth, Regional Product Marketing Manager Americas.

Visitors to the AkzoNobel stand will be able to view proof of performance of its CERAM-A-STAR 1050® system. On display will be actual panels from a South Florida test fence, allowing visitors to make their own comparison and see the level of color and gloss retention of CERAM-A-STAR® 1050 coated panels after extended harsh weather exposure.

Attendees will also be able to experience AkzoNobel’s innovative Canopy app, its powerful color selection and 3D visualization tool. Canopy provides on-the-spot access to the company’s vast product database and enables users to quickly find the perfect product for pre-painted metal applications.

“Providing knowledge, insights and understanding that attendees can use in their businesses is one of our key objectives for the show. We hope to see as many people as possible at booth #801.” says Toth.

Construction Job Openings Up by 22,000 in July, Says ABC

by Shield Wall Media Staff

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30—The construction industry had 375,000 job openings in July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings increased by 22,000 last month and are up 38,000 from the same time last year.

Construction workers quit their jobs at a faster rate than they were laid off or discharged for the 17th consecutive month in July.

“Though we may have collectively experienced peak inflation, it is poised to remain unusually elevated for months to come,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Many factors will keep prices high, including energy crises in Europe and China as well as a dearth of available skilled workers. Today’s JOLTS release is receiving considerable attention because many hoped that job openings would decrease for the second consecutive month in July.

“That did not come to pass,” said Basu. “Economywide job openings bounced back in July and remain more than 60% above pre-pandemic levels. According to ABC’s Construction Confidence Index, the share of contractors who expect to increase their staffing levels over the next half year remains elevated but has declined in recent months. As long as the supply of labor remains inadequate to meet the demand for workers, the industry will continue to experience upward wage pressures.”