Interview by Sheila G. Miller
Don’t be fooled by National Solar’s name. It may have “national” in the title, but the company is based in Bend and has served the Oregon market for more than 15 years, making it one of the oldest and largest solar contractors in Oregon. The company has 20-plus local employees in NorthWest Crossing, and people may have seen its vehicles around town or its sponsorship recognized on the Mt.Bachelor Sports Education Foundation vans or as a key sponsor for several years of the Bend Marathon.
National Solar was founded in 2009 by Janelle and Justin Lancaster. Shortly after starting the company, the Lancasters brought John Harley into the ownership structure to build out its installation teams; he’s also involved in training future Licensed Renewable Technicians for the industry. National Solar’s own electricians and installation specialists have been on the roofs of more than 3,000 Oregon homes and businesses. The company focuses on high-quality solar panels, back-up generators and solar battery storage, creating custom clean energy solutions that work specifically for any building, not a one-size-fits-all approach. To help meet back-up power demand, National Solar partnered with Generac, a manufacturer of generators, now located in Bend.
Janelle Lancaster took time out of her busy schedule–complete with an April run in the Boston Marathon–to chat with Bend Home + Design.
Business Q&A
How did you get into the solar business?
In 2009, at the end of the recession, we had an exterior remodeling company and decided we didn’t want to continue in that realm anymore. We wanted to do something with a little more meaning, and something a little more exciting–something people wanted versus something people had to have. We’d been thinking about solar for a while and decided to give it a shot. Solar was just picking up here in Oregon, and it seemed like a great time to hop in. We knew a lot about construction and had the basic building blocks and team members.
We’ve surrounded ourselves with great employees who have helped us from a start-up to one of the largest solar installation companies in Oregon; our success and longevity are because of our employees. We’re a full-service company that stands behind our community. It’s been a fulfilling ride that I wake up to every day, proud to be part of an industry that is changing how we get power to our homes.
Why is Bend prime for solar?
We get a lot of sun here year-round and that makes the financial side of going solar very attractive. State of Oregon incentives and the 30% federal tax credit sweeten the deal, shortening the payback period. In addition to our sun, most people living in Bend are here because of the outdoor lifestyle. Solar and protection of this beautiful place go hand in hand. People here want to do something to protect that.
What’s the most common misconception you hear when talking with a potential client?
The most common misconception is that you’ll never pay it off; that it will never pencil out. That’s just not the case these days. Federal tax credits and state incentives make the payback pretty quick. With utilities raising rates by double digits, it just makes more sense to get a system to hedge yourself against the rising cost of power.
What makes a rooftop suitable for solar panels, and if it’s not ideal because of nearby trees or angles, are there other options?
Ideally, a south-facing roof is the most desirable placement. But here in Bend, we have many low-slope roofs that make solar possible from different angles. Installation of ground-mount systems is another option if someone has sufficient space on their property.
What’s the current state and availability of battery storage to power our homes at night, during weather events such as heavy snow and to feed solar energy back to the electrical grid?
As a partner with Generac, we offer a wide array of reliable back-up systems that have become more cost-effective and user-friendly in recent years. The Oregon Department of Energy and Energy Trust of Oregon also offer battery system incentives to help offset the cost, as well as the 30% federal tax credit. Battery and grid tie combinations are a feasible investment.
How feasible is it in Central Oregon to have enough solar arrays and generating options to be 100% off the grid?
The feasibility is not quite there yet, given the current cost of power, coupled with the cost of a large system, and the amount of energy needed to be produced daily year-round in most homes here in Central Oregon.
What makes National Solar different from other solar companies?
National Solar has been in business for more than 15 years. Today you see a lot of start-up companies from out of state coming into our communities, knocking on doors and offering complicated financing solutions and overpriced solar. It’s just not in a homeowner’s best financial interest. We are here as part of the community. Everyone on our team lives here, plays here and educates kids here. We’re here for the duration–it’s not a one-year gig for us. We’re invested in our employees, paying living wages and being a big part of their lives. What makes my job fun is doing the best I can for our employees and team.
