 | Using recycled materials
reason Much of the printer paper here is recycled into note paper or re-run to print on the back. What isn't used by this means is shredded and used in packaging for shipments. We use recycled ink cartridges and recycle our aluminum pop cans. The batteries in our systems use recycled lead in their manufacture and we frequently return old batteries taken from existing systems to the manufacturer for recycling. |
 | Using sustainably produced material
reason The products we design and sell are sustainable in that they produce power for years after their installation. Over their lifetime they will produce much more power than was required to manufacture them. With the exception of batteries (which use recycled lead in their manufacture) these systems are not designed for obsolescence. |
 | Little or no packaging used
reason We use recycled boxes for shipping most products. We use recycled shredded paper and Styrofoam as padding and if we have to buy specifically sized boxes we purchase them from a local source in Missoula. |
 | Conserving energy
reason We expend a great amount of time in counseling our customers on the importance of energy efficiency so as to minimize the cost of the renewable energy system they are considering purchasing. We practice what we preach by minimizing the amount of lighting, heating and cooling we require in operating our business. |
 | Conserving natural resources
reason Our customers are a diverse group of people and their reasons for installing a system vary greatly. An example of how we contribute to the quality of water and topsoil on the ranch is through the use of solar water pumps to keep cows out of the creeks and streams thereby protecting the riparian zones. A remote livestock well that is solar powered allows livestock to range further from other water sources thereby preventing overgrazing near existing water sources. If the rancher uses solar instead of a fossil fuel generator to power the pump, noise and toxic pollution are eliminated. |
 | Promoting Renewable Energy Sources
reason This is what we do for a living. |
 | Reducing toxic emissions
reason A remote home, cabin or stock well that is run primarily from a fossil fueled generator will release CO2 into the atmosphere. Converting to wind or solar to do the same job prevents the necessity of running the generator unless there is extended windless or overcast periods. Often a combination of wind and solar can eliminate the need for a fossil fueled generator all together. |
 | Reducing waste
reason We encourage customers to downsize or eliminate certain appliances so as to minimize the number of batteries required and the size of the wind generator or solar array required to meet their power needs. We also encourage our customers to return dead batteries to the manufacturer for recycling. |
 | Energy efficient equipment
reason Screen Savers are a must during the day. Computers turned off at night. Coffee pot and Copier turn themselves off after each use. We removed 50% of the overhead fluorescent lighting and supplied each work station with 13 watt task lighting. Area lights in conference room and warehouse are turned off when not required. |
 | Using renewable energy
reason We have a 2 KW solar array that is grid tied and also charges a bank of batteries for back-up and demonstration purposes. |
 | Recycling program
reason We recycle everything that we can recycle including aluminum, copper, ink cartridges, paper, cardboard and Styrofoam packaging. |
 | Recycled promotional products
reason We use recycled paper and note pads whenever possible. Rather than buying new vehicles we purchase used vehicles for our shop and reconditioned parts for those vehicles whenever available. |
 | Donating to non-profits
reason We donate to many, many non-profit organizations, not only monetary donations but premiums for auctions, prizes and other events. Some of those organizations are the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Montana Public Radio, Montana Special Olympics, Montana Sheriffs Organization, Victor Historical Museum, EORenew, National Federation of Independent Business, Civil Air Patrol, Several schools and classes, Shriners, Victor Civic Club, HomeWORD and National Center of Appropriate Technology (NCAT) to name a few. |
 | Improving the health of community
reason We strive to be good citizens of our community, our state, our country and our planet. We believe that by giving of our time, money and energy we encourage others to do the same and through our support for programs such as the Special Olympics and HomeWORD Montana we assist those who could use a little help to also become good citizens. |
 | Employee educational subsidies
reason We allow unpaid time off and unpaid extended leave for one employ to pursue her degree and also provide occasional work for another university student to help supplement her income. We hire a high school student 1 hour per day. We provide factory training for employees relevant to their professional goals. |
 | Using sustainable building designs
reason We encourage our customers to incorporate the natural features of the Earth and the local climate to minimize their power consumption and then we design their power system to use as earth friendly and sustainable components as possible to meet the rest of their power needs. |
 | Minimizing use of non-renewables
reason With the exception of a back-up generator or grid power our systems provide the homeowner with power that is produced on-site using only the naturally occurring forces. These are adequate for 75% to 80% of the home's electrical needs thereby reducing the homeowner's carbon footprint for electricity consumption by a similar amount. |
 | Paying living wages to employees
reason We are the main source of income for 5 families employed by Sunelco. While none of our positions can be considered "High Paying" we provide hourly wages significantly above minimum wage plus all employees enjoy a share of the corporate profits. |
Billings Weather
- A Few Clouds
Temp 83.0 (F) / 28.3 (C)
Wind Variable @ 3.5 MPH (3 KT)
Forecast Details - Billings, MT
