Renewable Energy Takes
Hold In Kingdom City

It only makes sense; if you live and work in a region that’s blessed with lots of sunshine, you’ll find plenty of people who want to take advantage of all that ‘free’ energy. Lately, that’s been the story for Brian Schlattman of Mechanical Systems, Inc. in central Missouri.

Brian cites a long history in renewables, helping clients with everything from biomass and wood boilers to solar thermal and solar PV on a remarkable mix of projects. Customers have included the state police, organic greenhouses, and even some automotive dealers. Lately, solar thermal has been a big part of his routine.

In nearby Columbia, Missouri, Brian worked with Central Missouri Community Action, which helps disadvantaged people get grants for – among other things – energy-saving solar thermal systems for their homes.

Other projects have called for more cutting edge use of the technology, including a farm at nearby Lincoln University’s Agriculture School -- which now employs solar thermal on a greenhouse project that produces worm castings in composted leftovers from the school’s cafeteria.

There have also been some big commercial projects, including a nearby Best Western and a Days Inn hotel. “The Days Inn went for solar thermal and solar PV (photovoltaic), and they put a billboard on the highway telling people they expect to see 43% in energy savings this year,” said Brian.

Most of that work was done using Shüco equipment, but those products have lately become hard to get. That’s led Schlattman to search for a new supplier, and he’s in the process of switching to Caleffi Solar. “I like what I see from them,” he tells us. “I really like their products, and they’re really good at training. I took a course in water quality just a week ago to help keep my license up to date.”

The Kingdom City based company has provided sustainable energy resources to nearby Jefferson City, Columbia, and Lake of the Ozarks, but also as far away as St. Louis. Brian Schlattman can be contacted at 314-486-0567.