Let’s Make Solar Work For You!

    WESCOM INC

    Why Solar?

    At Wescom, we understand the growing importance and role renewable energy has played in our day to day lives. As a NABCEP and UL solar installation contractor, we have the experience and expertise you are looking for.

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    Our Solar Capabilities

    When Wescom is involved from the beginning stages, we will provide you with a complete package that fits your home or facility needs. Our teams utilize the latest solar software technology to ensure you will be provided with the most effective solution. We will walk you through all the critical steps from design, procurement, installation, and maintenance so you can understand all the tasks at hand. When it comes to investing in your home or facility, communication is important. With Wescom, we will be clear and upfront with you from start to finish.

    NABCEP Certification

    Residential

    Wescom is a leading provider of solar services throughout the Twin Ports and Northern MN/WI. From ground mount and rooftop solar arrays to generator and battery backup systems, our team has the expertise to provide the solution and results you are looking for.

    Commercial

    Looking to make an environmental impact for your business? Let Wescom provide you with a turnkey solar array that shows the community your commitment to our environment and a direction towards a cleaner renewable energy solution.

    Industrial

    When it comes to the industrial market, solar can provide substantial cost savings for your facility and operations. When our clients are requiring a large power demand, we are able to offer solutions to reduce overhead and provide a dependable energy solution.

    Utility & Municipality

    With the capabilities of Wescom, no project is too large or too small. Our team is a proud provider of electrical, automation and solar services to our utility and municipality clients all across the country. From solar arrays to buildings and infrastructure supporting solar projects, Wescom is here to continue our goal of Energizing America.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    There are many reasons why you should choose to go solar! With a solar array, you are choosing to be a part of the renewable energy transition that the United States is taking toward energy independence. By installing a solar array, you are protecting yourself from rising energy costs and securing your current and future energy demands.

    With many options available, you can lower your energy costs and start seeing an immediate return on your investment!

    This is a question that we often get from our clients. Unfortunately, the short answer is…it depends! Key factors include:

    • Are you looking at a roof mount or ground mount system?
    • What are the tilt angle and orientation of your array?
    • What amount of shading is present?
    • What is your current energy usage?
    • How large of a system are you looking at? We often find that larger arrays result in faster payback.

    All these factors are discussed during your free solar consultation and during the design phase to ensure solar is right for you!

    With a solar array, there are lots of options available that may affect the total price of your solar system. This includes the type of system (roof-mount vs. ground-mount), system size, and mount/racking requirements.

    While the exact cost of a system needs to be generated after the above questions are answered, we can inform you that rebates and credits will be 30% or greater of the total array costs. With the Inflation Reduction Act, other local credits, and available rebates, now is the best time to look into solar!

    Solar arrays offer a wide assortment of financial benefits to people looking into energy independence. One of the key reasons our clients choose solar is so they can protect themselves against the continued rate increases with our utility companies.

    By designing a system sized to your current usage, we can decrease or eliminate your power bill with the potential for additional cash flow with utility buyback. With an average utility rate increase of over 2% each year, you can now protect yourself from these rising costs.

    One of the questions we always ask before looking into the price of solar is, what would it cost for you if you didn’t proceed with solar? What utility costs could you expect to pay over the next 10, 20, or 30+ years without solar?

    We work with various financial institutions that will you offer competitive rates specifically for residential, commercial, and industrial solar systems. There are financial companies that will base payments on your current utility bill to limit additional funds needed for your array. Once that array is paid for, you will save thousands in extra power usage and payback.

    With the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act, additional tax credits are available (30% or more) to you. This means that now is a great time to look into solar!

    Solar is not always right for everyone! During our solar consultation, we will discuss the details that help determine your path. Several factors may include the site location, shading analysis, and direction your solar would face.

    If the physical location is a viable option for solar, we will ask you the following questions:

    • Are you want to take control of your energy future?
    • Are you planning on living in your home for ten years or longer?
    • What is the condition of your roof (for a roof-mount system)?

    All the above questions and details can help determine if solar is right for you.

    The first step in determining your array size is defining your solar goals and reviewing current energy usage. Once these (2) factors are discussed and decided on, we can look at your output and performance capabilities.

    In Northern Minnesota/Wisconsin, we can expect that in a prime location, you can generate an estimated 1,300 kWh per year per KW of solar installed. Remember that the units of energy purchased from utility companies are called kWh. For example, if you install a 10 KW solar array in an excellent location, you can expect it to produce 10 x 1300 = 13,000 kWh in one year.

    We have also found that a utility company has a “limit” for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Often this is a maximum of 40 KW AC or up to 120% of your power usage. Here in northern Minnesota, we are comfortable with a DC/AC ratio of 130%. This would result in a maximum size residential array of 52kw DC.

    The average home size we see in our region is 9-10kW. Commercial and industrial arrays will vary greatly depending on power usage.

    There are (2) different types of solar arrays. These include roof-mounted and ground-mounted systems.

    Roof-mounted systems utilize the existing roof structure for the basis of your array. We use clamps for the rails on the roof’s standing seam for metal roofs. By doing these, we eliminate the penetration of roofing panels.

    For example, with asphalt shingles, we use a flashloc penetration system fastened to the existing wood framing underneath the shingles/plywood.

    Ground mount options have various choices, including a fixed tilt angle design or adjustable racking systems. These systems may be pile-driven, excavated, poured, or pole-mounted.

    The answer to this question will depend on your array size and type of installation. Residential installations may be completed in as little as (1) month from design to installation. The timeline for your project will be affected by local permitting, array size, component availability, and crew availability.

    There are (2) options available with solar: a battery backup designed or a solar array only.

    With a battery backup system design, an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) will instantly hook your home or business to the battery system and allow for the automatic seamless energy transfer without any power outage or issue. These battery systems may also capture energy during sunny days for nighttime power consumption.

    If you install an array without a battery backup, your system will automatically shut down during any power outage.

    With all the latest technologies being offered, a wide variety of power monitoring options are available to view your array’s production.

    After your system installation, you will utilize powerline communications to report your array’s production. Upon system commissioning, we will set you up with an account to monitor your system anytime, anywhere!

    From your carbon footprint to energy savings, we know this is an exciting tool to show all your friends!

    Yes! All components within our solar arrays have a factory warranty. The solar panels we use have a minimum warranty period of 25 years, and Wescom offers several levels of a workmanship guarantee (2, 5, or 10 Years).

    Don’t want to remove snow or clean your array? We have options for that too! We can discuss our ongoing maintenance agreements to protect your investment and ensure that your solar array performs to the best of its capabilities.

    The current Inflation Reduction Act offers a 30% federal tax credit for our residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Additional credits under this act also include 10% for USA-made products and 10% for being in an environmental area.

    We work with our clients outside the federal tax credits to secure utility rebates and other states/local credits/rebates.

    Here in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, the biggest challenge we face for maintenance is snow removal. If snow covers your solar panels, the array will not produce power. Many clients choose to leave snow on the solar panels throughout the winter months; this will not be an issue for durability. However, we often tell our clients that a good rule of thumb is if snow does not accumulate on the roof plane where you are looking to install solar, snow should not be an issue.

    If you choose to remove the snow, you can expect approximately 20% of their annual production during these winter months.

    We suggest washing modules at least once to remove dust, pollen, and bird droppings during the summer. By doing this, we can ensure that your system is running at optimal production.

    And remember, keep an eye on your system monitoring app! This app will allow you to observe each solar panel independently. If there are any performance issues with the system, your app will alert you of this!

    Types of Solar Products

    With the continued growth of renewable energy, our team is committed to Energizing America with a cleaner, sustainable and effective power solution.

    Rooftop Mounted Systems
    Design & System Procurement
    Ground Mounted Systems
    Generator & Battery Backup Installations

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    Our Locations

    Wescom has office locations all across the United States to better serve our customers and play our role in “Energizing America.” No matter where your project takes place, give us a call today and see how the Wescom team can provide you a service and quality that is second to none.

    Duluth, MN

    Watford City, ND

    Williston, ND

    Carlsbad, NM

    Ashland, WI