Ten days at the state fair led to more than 100 new contacts with individuals ready to take the information they gained in a free solar assessment to the next level, according to Sun Storage co-owner Jonathan Monschke of Joseph.

Monschke and co-owner Louis Perry reported several thousand visitors to the Sun Storage booth at the second annual Sustainable Energy pavilion at the 2009 Oregon State Fair, Aug. 28 to Sept. 7. Sun Storage joined their photovoltaic panel supplier, SolarWorld, in representing solar energy at the exhibit. Sun Storage had erected their patented-design ground mount solar array, which provides space below the array for storage or livestock shelter, at their booth and the design proved to be a hit with visitors.

“It was so exciting to see the level of interest in solar energy,” said Monschke. “People are really interested in renewable energy, and solar is clean and simple and really versatile.”

Sun Storage employee Ross Rooper said that visitors had a variety of projects in mind. “We had visitors with questions about solar for private homes, for businesses, for horse stables and farms, and even questions about covered parking for golf courses and hospitals. The ground mount arrays really caught their attention because of all the ways they could use the space below the arrays, while generating power with those structures.”

The company’s Oregon State Fair special, a free solar assesment worth $250, was very popular and led to the 100 new business contacts – individuals who are getting specific in their plans. Several other new projects have already moved to design/installation, and post-fair telephone calls are keeping office staff busy, according to Monschke.

Many people were surprised at how affordable a solar system could be, Monschke said. “Our state (Oregon) is one of the most progressive in the country in promoting renewable energy,” he said. “So, existing incentives and credits make it a great time to look into it.”

Sun Storage is proud of its Oregon-based business which uses components primarily manufactured in Hillsboro and relies on Enterprise-based business consultants Renewable Energy Solutions.

Nevertheless, the company is enjoying national and international success with contracts for several international projects in hand, Monschke reported.