WASILLA — A decade ago, alternative power sources typically didn’t enter the minds of the average homeowner. Energy prices were reasonable and the psychological stress of rapidly rising fuel prices wasn’t weighing on homeowners.
Flash forward to 2008 when the sudden sticker shock for all types of energy is pushing homeowners to think a little more outside the box.
 Courtesy photo A pair of local companies are teaming up to give homeowners options for incorporating renewable energy sources, like solar pictured above, into their new building projects. With energy prices soaring, Mat-Su Energy owners George and Cassandra Sikat believe now is the time to consider an investment in renewable home energy that will pay off in lower monthly energy bills. |
Sikat and his wife, Cassandra, own Mat-Su Energy, a Wasilla-based alternative energy company. They’ve recently started a collaboration Sikat calls the first of its kind in the state, teaming with the Alaska arm of Expedition Log Homes to offer wind or solar power packages to homeowners looking to offset the high costs of energy, and maybe do a little to help the environment at the same time.
“Everybody wants to install a system and reduce energy costs,” Sikat said, adding he’s seen a noticeable jump in potential customers since Mat-Su Energy opened less than a year ago.
His partners at Expedition, Mark and Robin Braaten, agree, saying customers looking to have the company build them a home are asking more and more what can be done to make it as energy efficient as possible. Because of the recent demand, the Braatens say they’re going to adapt.
“I want Expedition to be known as the premier log home company that also has wind and solar packages available,” Robin Braaten said.
That’s where Sikat and Mother Nature come in.
Mat-Su Energy, which incorporated in January, sells complete kits for wind and solar power in Alaska and nationwide. Kits can be bought off the company’s Web site, www.matsuenergy.com, or by contacting Sikat for a consultation.
Sikat said by using free resources like sunlight and wind, owners of a system can offset the cost of paying a utility company by creating the juice themselves.
“There’ll be a return on investment,” Sikat said. “The higher energy costs go, the quicker the return of investment.”
And Alaska is an excellent place to use the technology, Sikat said. With long days during the summer and the Mat-Su Valley’s famous winds, both solar and wind power units stand to create a lot of energy.
For Expedition Log Homes, teaming up with Sikat and Mat-Su Energy will give the company an edge in a market where energy-savvy homeowners demand better efficiency, Robin Braaten said.
“I think it’s the wave of the future,” she said. “And I want to be there at the front lines.”
Going with ‘green’ energy
No one ever said going green is cheap.
Click on complete systems on Mat-Su Energy’s Web site and solar packages ranging from $14,000 to $42,000 pop up. Wind turbines range from just over $600 to more than $5,000.
Couple one of Sikat’s systems with a new log home built by Expedition, and the price tag will expectedly rise. That price is apparently worth it to some, presumably expecting if they pay a lot they’ll end up saving a lot when it comes to their monthly energy bills.
“I don’t see many people come in purely for the environmental end,” Sikat said. “People are definitely looking for reduction with power bills.”
No matter a homeowner’s reasoning, Expedition Log Homes and Mat-Su Energy see a new niche opening. Sikat said he’s looking even further in the future with plans to approach the Mat-Su Homebuilders Association, a group of professional builders, to explain his idea of pre-wiring every new house with the capability to connect to solar or wind power. Even if a house isn’t built with solar panels or a wind turbine right away, Sikat said it would be ready if a homeowner decides to go that route.
“Imagine roofs having everything prewired and ready for solar panels,” Sikat said.
Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiers-man.com or 352-2252.
If you go
Expedition Log Homes and Mat-Su Energy will host the 2008 Building Green Seminar 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 4 in the Mat-Su College cafeteria. Topics will include energy efficiency, incorporating wind and solar into your build and global impact. A link detailing the event can be found on Mat-Su Energy’s Web site at www.matsuenergy.com. Pre-registering for the seminar is recommended.
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