About Us
Chart House Energy is an independent power producer providing discounted, emission-free electricity to governmental, commercial, and private customers, through developing, owning, and operating sustainable clean on-site energy generation systems, an alternative to fossil-fuel systems, thus creating value to the consumers and the environment. Distributed sustainable power generation stabilizes grid power, reduces peak power demand, and reduces line losses of remote generation facilities.
Company History
Chart House Energy was founded in 2009 as a renewable energy independent power production company. It is Chart House Energy’s goal to become the premier mid-sized REIPP. The company has completed almost 2 MW Solar PV projects, including the largest PV project in Michigan and Iowa.
Before the formation of Chart House Energy, Rob Rafson, under Rafson Engineering had completed fifteen Solar projects including the largest (200kW) Solar thermal project in Illinois.
Our Business
As with mariners navigating uncertain waters, Chart House Energy will take best advantage of the winds of government initiatives including incentives, waves of technological changes, and currents of utility costs, and avoid the rocky shores of our uncertain economic times. Our goal is to chart a path through all of these changing technical, environmental and financial pressures to create an optimal blend of economic return and environmental impact, creating a pool of renewable energy properties that will produce a stable cash flow long into the future.
As an Independent Power Producer (IPP), Chart House Energy provides distributed grid-tie electric power from renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind to governmental, commercial, and private consumers. Chart House Energy business model is based on the Power Purchase Agreement, which secures electricity sales for a term of forty years, (depending on the individual agreement, thus ensuring steady cash flows from electric power sales for the period of the agreement. The renewable power systems currently used by Chart House Energy consist of PV (Photovoltaic) solar panel systems and in the near future will expand to wind turbines. In order to develop renewable energy systems, Chart House Energy leases real estate (roofs and/or land) from property owners, installs solar PV panels (or other renewable energy technologies) and sells generated electric power to the property owner, the tenant, or local power company.
Our Goal
Our goal is to provide clean, emission-free electricity tailored to the customers economic, environmental, and social goals. We strive for continued job growth in the solar and clean energy industries. We seek to empower individuals from distressed communities to obtain jobs that pay a living wage. We wish to create a pool of solar energy property which will provide ample benefits long into the future.
Our Mission
To be the premier, small-medium capacity independent power producer. To provide discounted, emission-free electricity from renewable energy sources to commercial and private customers, through developing sustainable clean energy generation systems, an alternative to fossil-fuel systems, thus creating value to the consumers and the environment. To provide jobs and energy to help develop local economies.
Where We’ve Been
Chart House Energy has grown steadily since its beginning in 2009 with two small projects. To date, we have installed over 4MW of solar capacity and continue to grow.
We take great pride in the quality of our installations. Our goal is perfection in our systems, all while using the best quality modules, optimizers, and inverters in the industry. We strongly believe in US made products and services. Not only does the investment in US made products multiply the economic impact of solar investments, we have seen higher performance, lower failure rates, and better warranty service. We have tested US panels against other countries’ panels and found the US panels outperform others. We will work with you to achieve your goals as a solar energy adopter.
Where We’re Headed
Chart House Energy believes in increasing access and affordability to solar for all. Not only do we work with commercial and industrial consumers to achieve this goal, we also work directly with non-profits and municipalities.
- Non-profits: We offer special pricing or financing options for non-profit organizations. so making solar solutions financially feasible are a big help.
- Municipalities and Government: we work with local governments to implement solar projects for public buildings and spaces. This not only reduces energy costs but also sets a great example for the community.
- Schools: We partner with educational institutions to install solar panels on their campuses. It’s a fantastic learning opportunity for students, and the schools can benefit from long-term energy savings.
- Commercial Solar: We collaborate with businesses to assess their energy needs and design custom solar solutions. Many companies are looking to go green, and solar power is an excellent way to do that.
Solar Faithful: Our Faith Based Projects
Solar Faithful aims to increase solar access among houses of worship and faith-based nonprofits. A key program objective is to build a more inclusive movement for climate justice and to tell a new story about who can access and benefit from energy transformation (energy efficiency and renewable energy). We educate staff and congregants, helping to make the connection between creation care and faith. Our educational offering builds an inclusive job training component to engage People of Color in the trades and lift people out of poverty in the communities where these projects take place.
As we at First Lutheran in North Muskegon dealt with Solar Faithful, we discovered that sometimes what seems to be too good to be true can be true. Their efforts to provide solar panels to faith communities have enabled us to make a dream come true, in a way that requires no money from us and in the long run will save us money on our energy bills.
Pastor Bill Uetricht – First Lutheran Church | Muskegon, MI