For the past several months, Landis Construction Corporation has worked with Kenergy Solar to install a solar panel system on the rooftop of their Takoma Park office building, entitled the Landis Building. The building was designed and constructed in 2006 by Landis Construction.

Kenergy Solar is an emerging solar company, who also leases space in the Landis Building. Kenergy is devoted to bringing complete solutions to residential and commercial customers in the mid-Atlantic region.

"We made the investment in solar because it makes sense," states Chris Landis, co-principal of the firm he owns with his brother, Ethan Landis. "We wanted an optimal installation and also wanted to identify the predicted return on investment (ROI) in this powerful technology."

Ethan Landis adds, "The time is right for investing in solar. Between the costs coming down and the grants being very solid, we feel the risks have been thoroughly outstripped by the projected benefits. While we toyed with being early adaptors in years past, we now feel the time is right."

Landis expects to have a breakeven point on their investment in about three and a half years and anticipates gaining roughly twenty-five percent of the building's energy through the solar panels. They have also applied for solar incentives available from both the federal and DC governments; incentives can be thirty percent or more of the installed cost.

In the coming months, Landis also plans to install clear panels over the open back deck of the building, including special PV panels on the trellis that will boost the array up to the 30KW of electrical generating capacity. The deck space will play an important part of the solar panel system for Landis and will continue to provide break and eating spaces for their employees during the warmer months.

The Landis owners and their team are excited about the installation and use of the solar panels, as they embrace a continued commitment to best practices throughout their business.

About Landis Construction: As one of the top Washington, DC renovation and remodeling firms, Landis Construction Corporation, co-owned by brothers Chris and Ethan Landis, has been doing business since 1990, specializing in residential Design/Build projects, in Washington, DC and surrounding metro areas in Maryland and Virginia.

About Kenergy Solar: Kenergy is a solar energy solutions provider offering solar design, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and financing. Kenergy Solar serves the residential, non-profit, government, and commercial markets for ground-mount and roof-mount solar systems throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

Chris Landis, AIA
Ethan Landis, LEED AP, CR
Landis Construction Corporation
(202) 726-3777 | www.landisconstruction.com