In just two years, Michael Panco and his partner, Brandon Caprarola, have created a successful green-energy business that has installed eight green systems and now offers services in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.
Panco, who graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in international studies, said that his goal was to create a universal business.
“My idea was to do international business and create something that you could offer the entire world that everyone needs, and I think we’re definitely onto something. We all need power to survive,” said Panco. “I’m trying to get everybody in the world to realize that their real estate has potential to collect renewable energy, whether it’s solar, wind or geothermal.”
Panco emphasized that green energy is a “win-win-win” for anyone who invests in it and said he wants to help more people understand its potential.
“It makes your property more valuable, makes it more appealing to another home buyer or business owner, plus makes money for all the electricity it produces,” he said. “We are all about trying to approach different kinds of real estate – farms, agriculture, businesses, restaurants and just homes in general – and show people how to collect and harness solar and wind and these kinds of energies in the most affordable way and the most noninvasive way.”
Ultra Solar and Wind offers solar power, solar hot water and wind-powered systems. What is probably their most unique product is the “silent and bird-friendly” ground-mounted Marilyn Wind System. The system is named after Marilyn Monroe, as it looks like her billowing skirt in the iconic street-vent scene in “The Seven Year Itch.”
Panco said the systems have been well received and the company is just now offering to custom-design them for football fans.
“We’re doing the wind turbines in football colors. So your team – like, for the Ravens, we can make them purple-and-black. Eventually we’re going to get them endorsed. It’s something that looks cool in your yard… I think it’s a great idea. We’re trying to do things that are different from the traditional things.”
Both Panco and Caprarola are BP Solar Certified installers and are partnered with Home Depot to be the solar installers for the state of Delaware. Panco said such partnerships are important – to ensure that his business is well-educated and offers customers peace-of-mind.
“It’s a no-brainer if you own property. You have piece of mind when you buy one of our systems.”
Panco said that, even though he is in the green-energy business, he’s not a proponent of offshore wind farms.
“We’re not about offshore wind. It doesn’t give any local jobs, it doesn’t stimulate the local economy and we’re forced to look at these things out in the water. This is about showing homeowners and businesses how to do it right here on the land.”
He added that Ultra Solar and Wind hires local master-electricians and contractors to help do install work, to keep the money in the local economy. Local thinking is important to him and his business, he said, because he’s a native of the area.
“We are all about stimulating the local economy. I’m 31 years old. I was born and raised here. I was born in Bethany Beach, and I’ve lived in Ocean City my whole life. This is my stomping ground. I’ve sold real estate here. I’ve played on the water. And I’ve been on the beach – done everything you can do here.”
Panco said that people are still timid about the financial investment when it comes to going green, but he emphasized that it’s affordable and the payback is even greater.
“They’re reluctant to spend a lot of money and are wondering when they’re going to see their return. As long as you understand how the return comes, you’re going to get a 30 percent federal tax credit. You’re going to get a state rebate, and your system is going to save you in electricity.
“The savings alone, plus the power your system creates and feeds back into the grid, the renewable energy credits – all of those factors are helping to chop down the cost of your system even faster,” he said. “We’re trying to get people to wake up and smell that money that they’re burning and save it.”
He also noted that Ultra Solar and Wind offers creative financing to help with the upfront costs.
“We’re trying to offer complete hybrid solutions with the wind and solar, and solar hot-water combined, with unique financing so it doesn’t hurt people’s pockets.”
Panco said that going green is a “no-brainer” and more people should learn about the benefits of clean energy.
“Why would you want to pay full price for electric when you can cut it down, make your property value go up, make your electric bills go down and get paid for it, as well? The cost of doing nothing is so much more expensive than if you buy solar.”
He added that, although he and his company are young, they may be just what the industry needs.
“I know we’re young and we started small, but we’re growing and we’re growing quickly... and we’re providing opportunities to the young and old. Everyone can get involved with us.”
For more information on Ultra Solar and Wind Solutions, call 855-ULTRASW or visit ultrasolarandwind.com.
