Two Anne Arundel County businesses set exciting example by generating their own clean energy, saving money, and delighting customers.
In April, 2022, K&B True Value of Annapolis and Solar Energy Services of Millersville announced the commissioning of what they believe is the first retail business in the City of Annapolis to become net-zero on electricity consumption. The 224-panel solar energy system, designed and installed by Solar Energy Services, Inc., replaced a 2012 installation that offset about 15% of the hardware store’s annual electricity consumption. Deciding to purchase this new system was a relatively easy decision for Jared Littmann, the owner of K&B True Value on Forest Drive in Annapolis.
Jared commented, “This solar system has completely offset our annual electricity consumption, saving our business over $18,000 per year. With the various incentives available, we recouped 64% of the investment in the first year, will recoup 100% of the investment by year seven, and will have positive cash flow of $269,000 over the course of 25 years. In addition, this furthers our goal of environmental stewardship and responsibility.”
Because K&B True Value had invested in solar 10 years ago, Jared was familiar with the process and was already a believer in its value. At the time, in 2012, budget and technological limitations held K&B True Value back from pursuing a 100% offset, when Solar Energy Services installed their first system. However, advances in solar technology since then made it relatively easy for K&B True Value to offset 100% of their energy without even filling the entire roof of the Annapolis store’s building.
Rick Peters, president of Solar Energy Services, shared that “Jared had the experience with solar and the forethought to plan for this investment, but other county businesses and nonprofits can do this too, with very accessible County-Sponsored financing through a vehicle called Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). This kind of project is within reach for many businesses in the region, thanks to advances in solar technology as well as financing mechanisms to help property owners fund their own solar energy projects.”
Based in Millersville, in North Anne Arundel County, Solar Energy Services designs and builds residential and small commercial projects throughout the DMV. Located on the Annapolis neck peninsula, K&B True Value has been the neighborhood hardware store for almost 50 years, since 1974. Jared Littmann and Marlene Niefeld bought the store from Marlene’s parents in 2007 are proud to carry on the community service nature of the business while adding an assortment of environmentally-friendly products and energy conservation practices.
