VETSS

The House Appropriations Committee was busy yesterday approving legislation for increased funding for clean energy technologies. In separate legislation, the committee also increased funding for veterans health care programs by 13% from last year.

Two terrific steps in the right direction. For more on yesterday's activities in the House check out this article.

Charlie Boyd (VETSS), Jason Loyet (Solar Night Industries), and Tim Corbet (Solar Night Industries) visit the Pentagon and Department of Energy in Washington, DC the week of May 23rd. Learn More About This Trip at Renewable Energy Access.

New Logo a Go

VETSS Inc., is proud to unveil their new logo!

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The Veterans for Energy Transformation and Sustainability Solutions (VETSS) logo can be broken down in the following manner:

* The white hard hat represents the General Contractor

* The American flag symbolizes patriotism

* The VET is for veterans

* The T stands for training veterans

* The SS is for training in new skills and safety

* 'Professionalism Continues' illustrates that professional skills and commitment learned in the military continues in service to customers as a VETSS team member

* The Gold lettering of VETSS represents the sun

* The Green of the 'Professionalism Continues' represents the earth

* Theme: Military veterans acquiring new skills in renewable energy to help contribute to saving our planet, while serving our customers.

The new VETSS Inc., logo will be displayed with pride as our US military veterans continue to work for a better tomorrow.

Helping You Meet Your Modern Energy Needs

We, as a society, have become dependent on electrical energy to supply all power-driven aspects of our daily lives.  Thus, it is understandable that we now seek consistent, reliable, and efficient renewable energy to manage the operations of our living areas and workplaces while we achieve acceptable returns.  As nationwide interest, acceptance, and purchase of renewable energy products and service grows, what better source of human resources to complete the last mile of any renewable energy solution than professional installers who are military veterans –fathers, mothers, sons and daughters who made it their business (their career) to assist and support their fellow citizens.  Now the professionalism continues as they join their next team ~ VETSS.

Capitalizing on the strengths of years of military skills training, coupled with comprehensive training programs, VETSS becomes the premier company to install renewable energy products through its nationwide installation operations center.  The public’s ever-growing inquiries for solar products and steadfast decisions to purchase those products, clearly demands the accessibility and availability of professional installers to perform the duties, responsibilities, and requirements needed to complete the final assembly of renewable energy products.

Purchasers have neither the time (nor knowledge) to identify the optimum energy solutions, services, or installation.  However, they do have the trust (confidence) in the abilities and capabilities of military veterans to apply their learned traits of professionalism, leadership, and superior skill sets as certified installers, energy consultants, or energy auditors.  A win ~ win scenario amongst “product distributors”, “purchasers”, as VETSS team members become the industry “standard of service” and become known as the “best choice” delivery group for training, installation, and safety.

Professionalism Continues

VETSS provides customers with a comprehensive full service turn-key clean energy service package that saves them time and money.  Starting with their confidence (and satisfaction) that “service-after-the-sale” comes as the installation of their product being performed by veterans first trained by our military, then graduating from VETSS’ “in-house” training programs, followed up through continuous manufacturer updates and product knowledge training modules provided on a routine basis.

Without question, VETSS solves the renewable energy industry’s most complex and compelling problem – it has trained professional installers positioned to unclog the bottleneck of customers waiting for installment of their “already” purchased energy systems.  VETSS has the ability, capability, and resources available to provide service, solutions, and sales to potential customers worldwide.  Whether telephonic, electronic, or on-site, trained VETSS team members are prepared and positioned to deliver.

Collaboration amongst industry leading manufacturers, suppliers, builders, training institutes, companies, and customers, VETSS has developed the needed relationships to ensure their customers benefit from the best practices within the renewable energy industry.                                                                           

VETSS provides the connectivity required to complete the “last mile” of the renewable energy solution (the installation phase), by having a team of dedicated, professional military veterans.  Installers such as: Roger Coghlan, president of Sun Pirate, Inc., a military veteran who has in excess of twenty-five years of experience in the business--an inventor, trainer, teacher, and NABCEP (and IREC) certified installer, and Mark Bauer, president of Bauer Power, Inc., a military veteran who has in excess of twenty years in the solar energy business. 

VETSS to Offer Renewable Energy Assessments

Addicted to expelling carbon? Reckless abuser of fossil fuels? Want to change but don't know where to start? Well, my friend you have found your way to the right blog!

The first step is admitting you have a problem. Don't worry, we all do, but you have gained awareness and now want to take action. Congratulations! Here's step 2...

...Pay attention.

Solar Night Industries' General Contracting Installer Partner, VETSS Inc., offers residential and commercial renewable energy site assessments.

Before throwing a solar panel on your roof or a wind turbine in your yard we need to make sure your home can benefit from such a system. When you contact VETSS for your own assessment VETSS will send one of their qualified NABCEP installers or a certified master electrician to meet, at your convenience, for a detailed review of your homes energy consumption. The cost of the assessment is $200--residential/$300--commercial. When you then (step 3!) choose to purchase a modern energy system from Solar Night this cost will be applied to the cost of your system of choice.

You are now fully prepared to move forward in your goal of creating your own energy. Own it! Don't continue to rent it!

We look forward to assessing your home or business soon...

VETSS: "Inspired" by Alberici Tour

"We were the first to build a 'green' facility at our headquarters here in Saint Louis...the smart thing would be for others to follow."      -- John S. Alberici, March 2007 

Left: Charlie Boyd of VETSS and Molly Salinas of Solar Night Industries stop for a photo with Mr. John Alberici, Chairman of the Board of The Alberici Corporation.

"The Alberici tour was inspirational.  To see a major player in the construction industry take such a strong initiative was gratifying.  As a LEED platinum facility in Missouri, it was great to see several of the renewable energy products and systems in action.  Also, the overall philosophy Alberici took in that facility was fascinating...it wasn't just about renewable energy; it was energy conservation, material conservation, environmental remediation, as well as 'quality of life' for their employees. Overall, its just smart business."  --Chas Lawrence, VETSS

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Left: Christy Cunningham-Saylor explains solar water panels' contribution to the Alberici energy efficiency goal.

"Its not just about the balance sheet.  It's the whole package...this is who we want to be as a company". --John S. Alberici, March 2007

Training Complete!

Left: Mark Bauer, President of Bauer Power, addresses VETSS students at the job site of the Sage company's custom built home.

Left: Training instructor, Roger Coghlan demonstrates the proper bracket mounting techniques to students Justin Hough, Brooks Beches, Chas Lawrence, and Gregory Hardnett.

The Residential Green Building SmartMarket Report suggests that "by 2010 the majority of the builders will be building green". This green-mindedness puts the renewable energy industry in the forefront of this movement. Product demand will indeed increase and that demand will be supplied. VETSS Inc. was founded so that those products could also be installed in a timely manner by a hardworking and professionally trained staff.

"As the industry goes through a major growth curve over the next several years the companies that can manage the installation process are the ones that will succeed." Chas Lawrence, Vice President of Operations for VETSS Inc. explains, "Therefore, it is VETSS's goal to be the industry leader in training, so that we can develop a network of qualified, professional installers to meet customer demand and exceed customer expectations."

With a growing number of professionally trained, hardworking American military veterans at their disposal VETSS, along with Solar Night Industries, have positioned themselves to be 'the ones that will succeed'.

All bets on VETSS!

VETSS: Making the Last Mile as Easy as the First

Jason Loyet, President of Solar Night Industries, noticed that in the modern energy world many customers were waiting around for trained professionals to install the solar and/or wind energy systems they had already purchased. He dubbed this bottleneck a problem with the "last mile". When Loyet set up VETSS Inc. to solve the "last mile" problems it is safe to say he imagined it to go as smoothly as it did at the Sage NZEH home. The install was organized by VETSS Inc., performed by Bauer Power, and helped along by Bates Electric who worked as a consultant through the completion of the project. (Pictured in the photo: Bauer Power team of Mark and Tony along with the Bates Electric team of Tim Parks and Nick Thomas--Nick just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq while serving with the Army. Our very own Charlie Boyd of VETSS is in the middle.)

The installation lasted four days and was completely installed in time for the National Green Building Conference and the USGBC Tour of Green Homes. As the tour passed through the Sage home Sunday the Solar Night Industries display table was stripped clean of all of its literature. Even a few installation manuals that were for display purposes only, found a new home with an eager builder. Such enthusiasm further illustrates the growing interest in and need for modern energy solutions (and the need for extra hand-outs...and better labels for 'dispaly only' material).

Ben Hanewinkel, Vice President of Sales at Solar Night Industries informed me earlier today that our friends at "Bauer Power used ingenuity to place the panels on the roof for most efficient production and to avoid shading issues".

Ingenuity, teamwork, and enthusiasm for renewable energy? Seems like we've got every mile covered!

Fighting for the US--Once Again!

Back from U.S. military service the vets at VETSS Inc. (Veterans for Energy Transformation and Sustainability Solutions) aren't done fighting for a better future.  The hardworking VETSS vets are now fighting for energy sustainability and our environment.

Chas Lawrence, VP of Operations at VETSS Inc. shares; "Veterans are excellent (in this field) for a number of reasons. First, they get technical training in the military that most people--even those in technical schools or apprenticeships--don't receive. Also, they are trained to be part of a team and work for the collective good. And, service men and women, particularly those with active duty experience, are trained to get the job done. The work ethic and self-reliance translates directly to the work site."

And, VETSS is not at a loss for applicants. Many U.S. military veterans are interested in this field. Vets and civilians alike are realizing now is the time for renewable energy. It is time to take action to alleviate current and future energy concerns. And with these brave men and women fighting on our soil for a better, 'greener' tomorrow, we can all be proud and hopeful!