Corbin Solar Solutions
Brightening up the northeast
Prided on their high-quality and cost-effective solutions for customers, Corbin Solar Solutions, LLC works at the forefront of the Solar industry throughout New Jersey.
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Prided on their high-quality and cost-effective solutions for customers, Corbin Solar works at the forefront of the Solar industry throughout New Jersey. Corbin Solar Solutions, LLC may not be the only solar-energy company under the sun—but it’s one of the most unique. Its counterpart, Corbin Electrical Services, had 30 years’ experience in the electrical field before branching into this bright new realm. The expansion made sense: solar energy and electricity are inextricably linked. Plus, with the growing demand for planet-friendly energy, the timing was perfect. Founded in 1978, Corbin Electrical Services was the brainchild of electrical engineer Steve Corbin, who also has a master’s degree in business management. His industry knowledge, coupled with an entrepreneurial spirit, led to tremendous growth and a stellar reputation. Today, this once-small, local company has blossomed into a 35-member firm that serves all of New Jersey. Helping with this expansion is Steve’s son, Adam, who brought his electrical experience to the family business 10 years ago when he joined the team as Commercial Project Manager and Chief Estimator. Adam earned a bachelor of science degree in building construction from the University of Florida, and he presently sits on the National Electrical Code (NEC) code-making panel number 3. He also holds electrical licenses in New Jersey, Florida, and New Hampshire. Four years ago, Rick Sehein, now Director of Operations, approached Steve about expanding into solar energy. It was a natural fit. Corbin Solar Solutions was launched in 2006 and is currently licensed in New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. “Corbin Electrical Services has always been forward-thinking,” said Steve. “We decided to take that plunge, and it didn’t take long for us to realize that this was a viable enterprise.” For Sehein, an F-16 aircraft electrician who served two short tours in the Middle East with the U.S. Air Force, the need for renewable energy was something of a personal crusade. Winter 2010 3
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“It bothers me that we’re so dependent on unstable countries for oil, and that many of our government’s decisions are based on this ‘addiction,’” Sehein says. “Solar is our path to self-reliance. It’s a clean, renewable energy source; I want to be part of bringing it into people’s lives, one house at a time.” And that’s exactly what Corbin Solar is doing. Their clients—ranging from homeowners to commercial businesses—trust the Corbin team, which is known for both its electrical expertise and its solar-installation prowess. President Steve Corbin sits on the board of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), and Vice President Adam Corbin is a certified NABCEP solar installer. Sehein is entry-level NABCEP
certified. NABCEP was created to raise industry standards for solar installers, providing training and certification so consumers can be more confident when choosing solar professionals. Membership is optional. “It’s what sets apart those who go through the qualification process to prove their knowledge in solar PV,” says Adam. “In New Jersey, anyone with an electrical license can do a solar PV installation. But that doesn’t mean he is well-versed in the design and installation of solar PV technology.” Through its mandatory continuing-education courses, NABCEP keeps members on top of the latest technologies and design techniques. Though solar installations
THIS PAGE: Before and After of a Commercial installation for South Jersey Eye Care. This commercial installation project utilizes an aesthetically pleasing design to incorporate solar panels onto the roof of a pre-existing building.
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TOP: (LEFT) Residential Solar Awning installation, central New Jersey. The roof of this family home could not accommodate 50 solar panels, so Corbin Solar designed a solar awning over the patio, giving the residents use of both sun and shade. (RIGHT) Residential installation, northern Delaware. 8 Kw PV system, ground mounted, grid tied. BOTTOM: (LEFT) From left to right. Corbin Solar Solutions Management Team: Adam Corbin, Steve Corbin, Rick Sehein. (RIGHT) Residential installation, central New Jersey. 7.8 Kw PV system, roof mounted, grid tied. All photos courtesy of Corbin Solar Solutions.
are essentially electrically based, they represent a highly specialized field that requires specific knowledge and training. While Corbin has a solid foundation in electrical services, the company works to stay at the forefront of solar technology. Corbin Solar’s staff is trained to deal with every aspect of solar installations, making the experience turnkey for clients. In-house engineers perform a detailed site analysis before designing the installation with CAD (computer-aided design) technology. Meanwhile, the administrative team handles all the paperwork for permits and rebate applications. Installation takes just three to five days, and once the client goes solar, Corbin follows up with a six-month “checkup.” In addition, no job is ever subcontracted out. “We believe that in order to maintain the highest level of quality, it’s best to do everything under our roof,” Sehein explained. Corbin emphasizes superior-quality work and fastidious attention to detail. Staff members work diligently to find the most cost-effective solutions for their customers’ solar installations. When designing a system, they consider the unique concerns of each client. In one case, a homeowner lacked sufficient roof space for the solar panels. So Corbin got creative and constructed a solar awning, giving the client the benefit of both sun and shade on his patio. Corbin also completed work on a 25,000-kilowatt system for a medical center, creating an aesthetically pleasing arrangement of solar panels that also met the energy needs of a corporate office park. The clients were so pleased, they’ve engaged Corbin for other projects. Corbin’s smart business relationships have also given them leadership status in the solar market. In fact, The Home Depot named Corbin top solar installer on the east coast. Because the upfront costs associated with solar installations can be financially challenging, Corbin is aligned with financial partners that offer financing options, including leasing programs that allow for solar-system installations with no money down. Aside from cost, there are other obstacles to overcome in the solar-energy industry. A fear of the unknown may cause potential users to hesitate. Without knowing the benefits of solar energy, people may be skeptical of the seemingly too-good-to-be-true claims made by solar sales representatives. Over time, Corbin’s systems pay for themselves. Adam said he has not paid an electric bill since he installed his own system several years ago. “I can attest to the fact that you save money, you help the environment, and at the end of the day, you feel good about yourself knowing you are helping the future of the planet,” he said. “Once we can get that message out to more Americans, I think the tidal wave of people signing up for solar installation will come.” New Jersey’s solar rebate program allows those who install solar panels to save on energy costs and even get money back for their energy contribution. As other states follow New Jersey’s example, Corbin plans to expand into new markets, including Massachusetts, Florida, and Maryland. ELT Winter 2010 7
Corbin Solar Solutions, LLC 699 Tennent Rd. Manalapan, NJÂ 07726 1-866-97 GO SUN 732-536-3004 Fax: 732-536-8547 info@corbinsolar.com Adam Corbin www.corbinsolar.com www.facebook.com/corbinsolarsolutions