News

Renewable Energy on Michigan Schools

Hartland Electric was recently awarded the contract for installing solar, wind and weather stations on schools in the Tri-County School District near Flint, Michigan, as well as some schools in Southeast Michigan.

Energy Works Michigan, a non-profit organization in the Ann Arbor area, issued a "request for proposal" to install renewable energy and monitoring systems on Michigan school buildings. These systems will be used to demonstrate and educate students about renewable energy and solar power. Jeffrey W.Lakatos and “The Michigan Team” is managing the installations of all schools selected for the program. Lakatos said, “The kids are our future and the youth will carry on the progression of renewable energy. I have the honor of installing a system that will be a building block for hundreds of thousands of students for the next 40 years. If there are any schools that would like to participate in this wonderful opportunity, please contact me.” The equipment used for the systems is made in America, and the labor to install the equipment is performed by Michigan workers. Hartland Electric LLC believes in keeping Michigan workers working in Michigan with Michigan manufacturing.

Groundbreaking of the Largest Residential Solar Array

Hartland Electric LLC is blessed to have been awarded the contract for the framework and installation of the largest residential solar array in Michigan. This 14 Kw solar array project is in Rose Township located in Oakland County. There are two ground mount arrays that measure 71.5 feet long and about 8 feet tall. One section of array was designed to run the home; the other is used to run the geothermal system. We were able to employ 6 workers for the installation and cement work. Michigan Solar Solutions supplied the equipment. This solar array will provide enough electricity to run the entire home and the geothermal system all year long for the next 40 years. This homeowner really can say he is "off the grid." Lakatos says, “There are many people throughout the state who are tired of conventional energy resources -- I can help. There are incentives and rebates right now that pay for about 90% of the cost of the system.” For more information on this installation and others please contact Hartland Electric.

Solar Growth is Adding Up

Hartland Electric, founded in late 2004, is growing quickly with the achievements of 2009.

Jeffrey W. Lakatos, Master Electrician and Certified Solar Installer at Hartland Electric LLC, said, "Our company is now doing as much solar business as anyone else in Michigan. We continue to educate others in the industry, securing Hartland Electric as a installation company with practical experience and training to give even the solar contracting companies a place to turn for real hands-on experience. I know that this has always been an electrician’s work from day one."

He said the company believes in keeping Michigan workers working in Michigan with Michigan manufacturing and Michigan products whenever it can.

Hartland Electric LLC currently has 10 employees, is female-owned and hires veterans as they return home from the war looking for work in solar installations.

"Although we contract out the engineering and equipment, Hartland Electric does the site survey and installation," Jeffrey said. He plans to hire more workers next year when he gets into the design and equipment supply business for both commercial and residential projects. He has met with community colleges, high schools, nonprofit organizations, training schools, and representatives from state level groups, as well as the National Electrical Contractors Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to assure the inflow of trained solar installers for what he's certain will be large growth in the industry.

One reason for his certainty is DTE Energy's SolarCurrents program, which pays residential and commercial customers $2.40 a nameplate watt if the DTE customer installs a solar system on their home or business. The customer gets to use the power, and DTE pays them .11 cents a kilowatt hour; so DTE can claim it as its own solar production.

Jeffrey agrees with those who understand Michigan has unique advantages when it comes to solar power production. Solar really does work in Michigan. Don’t wait and get caught in the rush for renewable energy. Schedule your appointment today.

Our Growing List of Renewable Energy participants

• Consumers Energy, Jackson
• Governor’s Residence, Lansing
• Allan Park High School, Allan Park
• Onsted High School, Onsted
• Sturgis Residence, Clarkston
• Kennedy Residence, Farmington Hills
• Haslett Residence, Clawson
• Love Residence, Brighton
• Kenner Residence, Highland

Granholm Turns The Governor's Residence Green

On October 12th, Hartland Electric had the honor of installing solar panels on one of the most important homes in Michigan: The Governor's Residence! Leading by example is the best way to help Michigan realize and maximize its resources.

Governor Granholm chose the Uni-Solar Thin Film Photovoltaic power laminate because it’s designed and manufactured in Michigan to generate electricity under the weather conditions with which we are all familiar.

"These products have the ability to show Michigan residents how solar can help maximize the conservation of our fossil fuels,” says Jeffrey W. Lakatos, Certified Solar Installer and Master Electrician at Hartland Electric LLC. "The Governor of Michigan has done a true service bringing these sources to the public’s attention."

Lakatos says, “I’m a firm believer in certification, education and licensing with a solar power system.” He also believes it is very important to put Michigan workers back to work with Michigan products and Michigan manufacturing.

With the N.A.B.C.E.P Certified Solar Certification, Lakatos managed the group of installers. Working in conjunction with Mechanical Energy Systems of Canton, and RM Electric of Lansing, made the photovoltaic power system a successful installation.

Call Hartland Electric today to find out how you can become "green".

Consumer's Energy Goes Green - Solar Panel Installation

We recently had the opportunity to service a well-known local Michigan business: Consumers Energy's Headquarters, located in Jackson, Michigan. Like everyone else these days, Consumer's Energy is "going green" and finding alternative energy sources to help Michigan run cleaner and more efficiently.

On the roof top, overlooking the main employee parking lot, we installed a 1.8 Kw solar panel array. The place where they are mounted must not be obscured by shade from buildings or trees. The power from the array is produced as low voltage DC that is converted to 230 AC by being fed through an inverter. The output from the inverter is fed, via a meter, directly into the building's electrical system. Two different types of solar panels were chosen so the quality and output of each could be measured and researched. The two choices are manufactured by SolarWorld and Evergreen, respectively, and were attached to the roof using an adjustable Unirac clamp racking system. The panels were wired in series to GridPoint (a software system that manages electrical grids and power demand) so Consumers can realize the benefits of energy intelligence. GridPoint's solutions also include home energy management, load management, renewable integration, storage management and electric vehicle management.

The only maintenance that is required is to give the panels an occasional clean up to make sure they are not covered with leaves or bird muck. Most manufacturers of solar panels guarantee that they will give ninety percent of their rated power for twenty years. They are expected to have a life span of over forty years.

Solar Energy is a renewable source of energy that can help your home or business run more efficiently. Call Hartland Electric today to find out how you can become "green".

The Start

July, 2009 — I started Hartland Electric LLC in 2004, when I felt like so many of the places I had worked for were more interested in the company's bottom line than the actual client and their needs. I wanted to build a professional company in the trade and the town I grew up in. I wanted to give a little back by servicing my local community with a service that was sorely needed in our area.

I hire only knowledgeable, professional, expert electricians who are committed to excellence and care about the job they are doing and the people they are helping. I want the name Hartland Electric LLC, to stand for excellence and trust.

So it was with this philosophy that I realized I needed to reach even more local residents, so we revised, expanded and upgraded our website. I wanted a website that made it easier for you to get the help you need. The new website has a fresh new look, and it's loaded with new information and expanded service areas. It also includes descriptions of the type of work we've done in each city so you can hear from satisfied clients before you even call for a free estimate. We service many areas in Michigan including Genesee, Ingham, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties and all of Livingston County.

Look for our vans on the road, and come back to our website often!

— Jeff Lakatos