Business is heating up for Shawn Bangs and his company, Fire Cat Solar, LLC, located in Canton, Minn. As solar energy becomes more popular, Fire Cat Solar is there to help the average person not only understand how the process works but to make the process an easy one.
Bangs, who became an electrical contractor in 1995, has owned and operated Bangs Electric for over 20 years and has expertise in commercial, residential and agricultural fields. As a master electrician, Bangs is required to complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years. While attending these classes he learned about solar energy and “realized a need” for installers.
Fire Cat Solar, which Bangs started in November of 2015, is a subdivision of Bangs Electric, LLC. After installing his first solar energy system in 2013, Fire Cat Solar has completed many others both large and small.
Many of his jobs have been in Goodhue County in Minnesota and as he is licensed in both Minnesota and Iowa, he has completed systems in northern Iowa also.
Bonfe’s Auto Service & Body Repair in St. Paul, Minn., and Sargent’s Nursery, Inc. in Redwing, Minn., are just two of the impressive and professional jobs completed by Fire Cat Solar.
There are many rewards associated with using solar energy, including lowering utility bills and lessening your carbon footprint.
There are grants and tax incentives available for solar panel installation and Fire Cat Solar is able to help customers receive them.
“We take our customers through it, so if the customer wants to apply for any of the grants, we can line our customers up with a grant writer,” says Bangs, noting that there are USDA grants available. This is only the beginning of the service that the company provides.
“We take care of the interconnection agreement between the electric coop or utility company” and “will take care of the building permits and electrical permits,” as well, says Bangs. From there Fire Cat Solar will design and build the system.
Mike Woodley, director of sales for Fire Cat Solar with years of energy experience, has been with the business approximately one year and is a valuable asset to the company. Bangs and Woodley met through associates after word traveled in the business of Bangs designing, manufacturing, and installing an enclosure to contain the wires in the back of the solar panel array, which looked very nice and had not been done before.
“Mike and I make a pretty good team because he’s an expert on all the grant information and tax incentives from that perspective and I’m an expert on the installation and the laws, so he and I are just very fortunate to be able to find each other because we kind of mesh as a team,” states Bangs.
Solar panels come in different sizes, as they are sized by wattage, but panels are roughly about six-and-a-half feet by three-and-a-half feet.
Fire Cat Solar prefers using Solar World solar panels as “they are the best,” says Bangs. “They are good quality panels,” he states, and adds that they are made in America. If a customer would prefer to use a different brand, Fire Cat Solar will accommodate them.
The systems are “impressive,” says Bangs, adding, “their technology is unbelievable,” saying they are utility interactive systems.
Utility interactive systems hook seamlessly to electric coop systems. When the sun is out and generating power, the system will use the electricity that is available through the solar system and when night comes, the system will use electricity from the electric coop.
The cost of the system is site specific, but Bangs says, “We can build systems of any size” to meet the needs of the customer.
For anyone considering solar panel installation, Bangs has some tips. Most importantly, make sure you are hiring a reputable contractor that is licensed. Ask if they are a licensed electrical contractor and get their license number. Then follow through by visiting the website of the Department of Labor and Industry where you can enter the license number and see if any complaints have been filed against the company.
Also, ask if the company performs the work themselves or uses subcontractors. You want to know who will stand behind the product after installation.
Fire Cat Solar is licensed, insured and bonded, which is important to customers. Woodley states, “We try to get the best value for our customers,” adding, “we care about our customers” and Fire Cat Solar stands behind their work.
Fire Cat Solar is located at 305 S. Main in Canton. The phone number is (507) 429-6231. For more information, visit the business website at firecatsolar.com or check out their facebook page at facebook.com/FireCatSolar.
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