FAQ

PFISTER ENERGY

Is Pfister Energy backed by a larger company?
Pfister Energy is a division of Pfister Industries, an award-winning leader in commercial and industrial roofing in the metropolitan New York area. Based in northern New Jersey, the company has been in business for almost 25 years. See About Us for more information.

What kind of Renewable Energy solutions does Pfister Energy offer?
Pfister Energy offers Solar, Wind, Daylighting, Solar Lighting (pathway and parking lots) and Building Envelope improvements. See our Pfister Services page for information about all of our energy services and emerging technologies.

Do I need a building permit?
Yes. Pfister Energy will obtain the necessary permits from your local government.

What federal/state incentives are available?
There are many federal and state incentives available for companies interested in Green Power. New Jersey currently has one of the highest state rebates available. See our Incentives page for more information and links.

Still have a question? Please contact Pfister Energy at letsgo@pfisterenergy.com or 800-367-2207.
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SOLAR POWER

How much money can I expect to save by installing a solar photovoltaic system?
Depending on the size of your solar PV system and your demand for electricity, you can cut your energy cost from 15-80%. But don’t just think of financial savings; consider how a working solar system will enhance your corporate image with employees, shareholders and customers. In addition, you are contributing to a national movement attempting to reduce America’s dependency upon foreign oil and fossil fuels.

How do we get electricity from the sun?
Sunlight is made up of photons (solar energy particles). When photons strike a PV cell, they may be reflected, absorbed, or pass through. Only the absorbed photons generate electricity. When this happens, the energy of the photon is transferred to an electron in an atom of the PV cell (which is a semiconductor). With its newfound energy, the electron escapes from its position in an atom of the semiconductor material and becomes part of the current in an electrical circuit. By leaving its position, the electron causes a hole to form. Special electrical properties of the PV cell—a built-in electric field—provide the voltage needed to drive the current through an external load. PV modules involve no moving parts and produce no pollution.

How do we harness the electricity generated from a solar PV system?
The sunlight is captured by the solar panels in the form of DC electricity, which passes it through an inverter that converts it to AC power. It is stored and distributed the same way as you use electricity now – through your electrical outlets.

How many years does a solar PV system last?
A PV system that is designed, installed, and maintained well can operate for more than 25 years. The basic PV module (an interconnected, enclosed panel of PV cells) has no moving parts and can last more than 30 years.

Can a solar PV system produce electricity on cloudy days? Will my system work at night?
Solar systems work on cloudy days but will produce energy directly proportional to the amount of sunlight available. More available sunlight produces more energy. Since there is no sun at all at night, you will either draw power from your utility or from batteries charged during the day.

What is Net Metering?
Net Metering measures the amount of energy generated by your solar PV system as well as energy you pull from your utility. Net metering also tracks any excess energy that your system creates that is sold back to the utility to offset your energy costs and, of course, reduce your ROI.

Should I install a solar PV system now or wait to capitalize on technology improvements and increased solar efficiency?
There is no better time than now because of the various state and federal incentives available right now that can offset up to 60% of your costs. See Incentives for more information.

How much does a solar PV system cost?
The total cost for purchasing and installing a solar PV system is dependent upon the size of your facility, available incentives, and the site conditions of your facility (solar exposure, weather systems, roof construction etc). Pfister Energy’s evaluation of your project will result in a financially sound proposal that reduces your energy use while ensuring fiscal feasibility. See Incentives for more information.

Do I need permission from the local utility to connect my solar system to the grid?
Your local electric utility has rules and procedures outlining how to connect any generator to the grid safely and legally. These rules are generally based on national standards. Pfister Energy will help you with the procedures.

What are the components of a PV system?
The components of a PV system include PV panels (groups of PV cells); an inverter for a utility-grid-connected system and when AC rather than DC is needed; wiring; and mounting hardware (framework). For an off-grid (stand-alone) system a charge regulator or controller and batteries are required. Groups of solar panels are called arrays.

How much electricity does a PV system generate?
Under normal conditions, a residential PV system could generate close to 36,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity over 20 years and close to 54,000 kilowatt-hours over 30 years. This means that a PV system generates more than $10,000 worth of electricity over 30 years. Can you imagine what a commercial PV system can generate?

What do the terms on-grid, grid-connected, grid-tied and off-grid mean?
On-grid, grid-connected or grid-tied means connected to the utility electrical grid. Off-grid refers to systems that are not connected to the utility electrical grid. Grid-connected PV systems operate in parallel with your local utility service, providing a supplemental source of clean, Renewable Energy. Direct current (DC) power from the solar modules is fed to an inverter that converts this energy to utility-grade alternating current (AC). This energy is then fed into a building's load center, helping offset incoming utility power. These systems can be designed with storage batteries and a special "bi-modal" inverter to act as a back-up power source if utility power fails. Off-grid PV systems are designed as the primary power source for remote locations without utility service. These systems always have deep-cycle storage batteries and often are coupled with a fossil-fuel generator to provide reliable service regardless of weather conditions.

I’m interested! What kind of roof do I need to have to become a good solar candidate?
Ideally, you should have at least 5000 square feet of commercial roof space. Your roof should be in good condition and should be able to sustain an additional weight of 5-7 lbs per square foot. If you need a new roof, Pfister Industries can install a new roof at the same time or integrate a roofing system that includes solar PV.

Will the addition of solar PV panels hurt the integrity of my existing roof?
Pfister Energy’s experience in roofing can evaluate the integrity of your existing roof and structure. The additional weight plus bracketing to hold the panels takes an experienced contractor to select, engineer and install. With careful selection and installation, solar PV panels will have no adverse effects on a roof that is in good condition.

What if I need a new roof?
This is the ideal situation for installing solar. Before laying the roof, you can install flashable mounting brackets that provide the highest level of protection from leakage. Integrated roof+solar solutions are also available. An evaluation of your building’s structure and existing roof dictates the type of roof and solar solution best suited for your project.

Still have a question? Please contact Pfister Energy at letsgo@pfisterenergy.com or 800-367-2207.
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BUILDING ENVELOPE

What is the building envelope?
The building envelope includes everything that separates the interior of a building from the outdoor environment, including the windows, walls, foundation, ceiling, roof, and insulation. A better building envelope will help make your building a healthy, safe, durable, comfortable, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly place to be.

What is tightening the building envelope and what does it do for me?
Buildings with controlled air leakage have lower heating bills. Air leakage represents the single largest source of heat loss (or gain) through the envelopes of nearly all types of buildings. If you can control it or reduce the leakage, you keep the heated (or air conditioned) air inside the building reducing your power usage. After tightening the building envelope, your facility will healthier, safer, more comfortable and more durable.

How do you assess the building envelope?
Thermal scanning is an effective tool to highlight leaking air. We also check for moisture damage, proper and effective insulation, leaking windows, walls and doors, inefficient roofing systems, exterior finishing systems, etc. As part of each Pfister Energy assessment, you will get a full report with suggested solutions.

Still have a question? Please contact Pfister Energy at letsgo@pfisterenergy.com or 800-367-2207.
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WIND TURBINE

What is a wind turbine?
A wind turbine system generates electrical power using wind energy. The system consists of a blade cage, generator, brakes and control system that monitors and controls the production and quality of the produced power.

How big is a wind turbine?
Commercial turbines range in size but are about 65 feet in diameter and 20 tons (assembled). The height of the wind turbine is dependent upon where it is mounted (ground or rooftop) and area wind patterns (“wind regime”).

Can a wind turbine be mounted on a roof?
Yes. Most modern buildings are structurally capable of supporting the weight requirements of a turbine; however, the weight and space requirements of existing roof-mounted equipment need to be taken into account.

How much power can a wind turbine produce?
Power production depends upon local wind, height of the turbine and outdoor temperature. An estimated annual total is approximately 630,720 kWh.

How is a wind regime determined?
While not a replacement for a full, on-site wind analysis, initial wind regime reviews are calculated based on publicly available data from NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) and Environment Canada. Historical and real-time data from airports and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) can also be used.

How long does it take to build a wind turbine?
Approximately 4-6 months which includes zoning and permitting requirements, installation, testing and certification.

Is a wind turbine noisy?
The operation of the turbine is audibly imperceptible.

Are wind turbines safe?
From the American Wind Energy Association:
“It has been estimated by a number of reliable sources that 50,000 Americans a year die from air pollution, of which about one-third is produced by power plants. By contrast, in 20 years of operation, the wind industry (which emits no pollutants) has recorded only one death of a member of the public—a German skydiver who parachuted off-course into an operating wind plant.”

What would happen if a turbine were to malfunction?
Turbines are monitored continuously via a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system.  Any conditions which might affect turbine operation are immediately reported back to a central monitoring facility. In situations where turbine operations would be deemed unsafe, the turbine will automatically engage the braking system bringing the system to a complete and controlled stop. The turbine would not start again until a qualified technician clears the alarm.

Do wind turbines kill birds?
Wind turbines are not a significant cause of bird mortality. New turbines have slower blade speeds and reduced blade area reducing risk.

How much maintenance is required?
The turbine and generator are designed for a minimum of twenty years of useful life, requiring very little maintenance. Turbine and generator operation are continuously monitored via a SCADA system, and any conditions which might affect turbine operation are immediately reported back to a central monitoring facility.

How is the electrical metering or turbine monitoring done?
Local monitoring of power generation and usage is performed to ANSI standards. In addition, the SCADA system generates real-time operational data that is monitored, reviewed and adjusted based upon production and utilization trends. The data is also stored for historical reporting and comparison. The SCADA system automatically makes appropriate corrective actions (such as speed) based upon the feedback data retrieved from the wind turbine. Engineering, maintenance and other reports will be generated from the stored data.

What kind of educational programs are available for my school?
Real-time electrical meter readings are available both at the system control panel, as well as online via an encrypted secure Internet connection. This allows for remote monitoring of the installation by the customer and manufacturer. In addition, arrangements can be made to install video cameras on or around the tower. These provide high-quality streaming video of the site over a secure Internet connection. These resources can be integrated into an educational program focused on the benefits and possibilities of Renewable Energy technologies.

Still have a question? Please contact Pfister Energy at letsgo@pfisterenergy.com or 800-367-2207.
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DAYLIGHTING

Do these units provide more light than a skylight?
Yes, the tracking mirrors inside each Daylighting unit catch the sun at low angles (morning and evening) every day and all day during winter months therefore creating more light. In addition, Daylighting creates an even spread of light throughout the day without the hot spots and glare associated with a typical skylight.

Do these units produce heat like a typical skylight?
No, the two thermal barriers used in the system create a dead air space that does not allow heat gain or loss in or out of the building.

Are these units easy to install?
Yes, Pfister Energy can create new openings or retrofit existing skylights in your facility’s roof.

Do Daylighting skylights leak?
When properly installed there is not a problem with leaking. Pfister Energy takes great care that the installation is completed correctly including flashing the openings.

Still have a question? Please contact Pfister Energy at letsgo@pfisterenergy.com or 800-367-2207.
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SOLAR LIGHTING (PATH + PARKING LOT)

What can I illuminate with Solar Lighting?
Solar Lighting is perfect for walkways, parking lots and transportation shelters. Use Solar Lighting just as you would traditional outdoor lighting to provide safety and security after the sun goes down.

Can I vary the light level of each fixture?
Solar Lighting fixtures are adjustable and programmable to provide the best lighting at optimal efficiency. Each fixture can be programmed to dim or turn off at certain times. In addition, a motion detector can switch each light from dim to bright if triggered.

Does the geographical location affect the type of light we use?
Access to the sun is important and helps determines the size of solar panel and battery.

Can I match a particular “look” for my existing facility and landscape?
We can do a fair amount to match a wide range of pendant style lights – just ask!

Still have a question? Please contact Pfister Energy at letsgo@pfisterenergy.com or 800-367-2207.
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