Energy Independence Company

Energy Independence Company helps businesses grow toward more independence

Jim Long For The News-Review

Al Walker, the Umpqua Valley's “solar guy,” made his first solar cell as a teaching assistant in high school physics. In the art studio, he baked powdered silicon into a wafer and then painted boron on one side and phosphorus on the other.

After coming to the area, he built an off-the-grid home near Idleyld Park. The log home uses wood to heat water for warmth and photovoltaic panels for electricity. Now he owns a business helping others harvest sun light for electricity and greater energy independence. That's where the name of the firm comes from: Energy Independence Company.

Walker established the company in 2002. It employs two full-time staff, a part-time electrical engineer, and two or more part-time installers. Energy Independence subcontracts with other local tradesmen — electricians, plumbers — qualified to work on solar systems.

The company consults with business owners to design photovoltaic systems that generate electricity for their firms. The designs often integrate other ways businesses can become more energy efficient. Among these are building insulation, air movers and passive solar to heat water and shop spaces.

Energy Independence also helps business owners with the paperwork to estimate Oregon's business energy tax credits, depreciation schedules, payments from Energy Trust of Oregon, incentives offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and, under Oregon's net metering law, reductions in future electric bills.

For office buildings, wineries and public housing, the company has installed two types of photovoltaic systems — rooftop and ground-mounted. Walker is working on projects now with a logging firm and the C.H. Bailey House Bed and Breakfast.

The annual solar tour offers an opportunity to see local solar systems. The tour begins at 9 a.m. Oct. 3 at the Douglas County Library, 1409 Diamond Lake Blvd., Roseburg. For more information about the 2009 tour, send e-mail to Scott McKain at ssmckain@charter.net.

Walker sees growth ahead for solar energy

Walker also is active in the Oregon Solar Energy Industry Association, a trade group for manufacturers and installers. He participates in the annual Solar Exposition in Portland and exhibits locally at events such as the annual Douglas County Energy Fair.

Walker said he loves to teach. But he said he enjoys learning as well, and does so from fellow instructors, other tradesmen, and other business owners when he offers a class at Umpqua Community College or at a professional meeting.

Walker believes solar electricity in Southern Oregon is just beginning. He cites as evidence the fact he's added staff since 2002. Second, Sanyo plans to build a plant in Salem to manufacture a new photovoltaic module that increases electrical output of arrays in limited spaces. Third, he looks forward to Oregon's new legislation that authorizes the nation's first “feed-in tariff,” whereby a utility buys locally-generated solar electricity up to 20 years at an agreed-upon rate. This, Walker said, assures an investor a predictable payback that helps business owners arrange loans for solar electricity.

For information, write to Energy Independence Company: P.O. Box 36, Glide, Ore. 97443, call 496-3987 or send e-mail to info@energyindependenceco.com.

“Energy Spotlight” is a monthly feature in The News-Review, highlighting what local businesses and organization do to save on energy costs.

The Douglas County Global Warming Coalition, a group that promotes energy efficiency, is canvassing local business owners and organizational leaders about practices that reduce energy costs.

To nominate your firm for an Energy Spotlight, contact Jim Long at jblong@dcwisp.net. To learn more about the coalition, call Stuart Liebowitz at 672-9819.