V.E. Petersen, of Walbridge, OH, is reducing energy usage by 30 percent with a 28kW rooftop solar array developed, designed and built by the Rudolph/Libbe Companies.

Walbridge, OH – A new, 28kW rooftop solar array is reducing energy usage by 30 percent for V.E. Petersen Co., Inc., based in Walbridge, OH.

Rudolph/Libbe Inc., of Walbridge, developed, designed and built the rooftop solar array. GEM Inc., of Walbridge, performed electrical work. The solar panels were manufactured by ISOFOTON, in Napoleon, OH.

The 108-panel solar array will generate more than 30,000kWh per year for V.E. Petersen, a leading distributor of replacement parts for the small engine, industrial, agricultural, marine and automotive industries.

"The price of utilities continues to go up," said Jeff Lincoln, vice president of operations for V.E. Petersen. "In our business, some of our big customers, nationwide and globally, are implementing solar energy. After talking to some of them about their savings, we chose to do it. It's nice if we can generate some of our own power, rather than go with the coal and fossil-fueled option. Solar seems the way to go, and the incentives with the government offers made it very attractive."

The Rudolph/Libbe Companies is ranked 105th among Solar Power World's "Top 250 Solar Contractors in the U.S." and 45th among the magazine's "Top 50 Commercial Solar Contractors" for 2013. On both lists generated by Solar Power World, the Rudolph/Libbe Companies is the highest ranking Ohio-based contractor, with 2.2 megawatts installed in 2012 and a total 10 megawatts installed.

The list ranks contractors according to influence in the residential, commercial and utility solar installation markets. Solar Power World is the industry's leading source for technology, development and installation news.

The Rudolph/Libbe Companies is among the region's largest contractors and employs 1,000-1,500 construction trades through offices in Lima, Toledo, Cleveland and Walbridge, Ohio; and Plymouth, Michigan.

Solar is one of the diverse energy solutions offered by GEM Energy, a partner company of the Rudolph/Libbe Companies. GEM Energy provides comprehensive energy services and technology to increase the efficiency and reduce the lifetime operating costs of facilities. In addition to solar, services include integration of power generation, advanced heating/cooling systems, supply-side procurement/management, demand-side load reduction and building controls for commercial, industrial, institutional and mission critical facilities.