North American Solar Stores
869 North Main Street, Highland, Wisconsin, United States

Our international network of retail solar showrooms appeals to consumers interested in taking control of energy costs. NASS takes the confusion out of finding reliable information about solar electric, solar heating and solar hot water. NASS members are dependable, highly trained professional contractors and independent business owners. All NASS members take part in ongoing training and education provided by the NASS Solar Institute.

NASS stays current on solar technology so we can offer you the absolute best and most informed advice when it comes to making your solar heating, solar electric or solar thermal buying decisions. Visit our Blog to keep up on solar news as we pass relevant solar information on to our customers and solar enthusiasts.

Because solar makes sense economically and environmentally we see more and more consumers eager to learn more about becoming energy independent with a solar installation. Utility companies have what amounts to a "lifestyle" mortgage on homeowners that will never be paid off. Solar offers a solution that contrasts control over your own energy production against the continual cost increase of utility bills.

Solar Thermal -

Solar Hot Water Heating As the pain of increased energy costs rise, so does the installation of Solar Hot Water Heating Systems across the U.S. and Canada. Satisfaction surveys indicate that 94 percent of customers that invest in solar believe they made a good investment. With close to 2 million homes and businesses already using solar heating systems this trend shows no sign of slowing down. Monthly savings on utility bills and increased home values make a solar energy system one of the most cost-effective home improvements available.

Depending on the type of solar hot water collectors used most residential applications are between 50 and 100 square feet in size. If the roof is not conducive to the installation, ground mounting or rack mounting can be used to provide the required area of solar thermal panels. Solar thermal panels can also be used for solar space heating but the required area for panels will be much greater.  This type of solar energy doesnt create electricity like solar photovoltaic (solar pv) does. Solar hot water uses the suns warmth to heat up water for direct use or to heat up a glycol mixture inside the solar panel collectors that is then transferred via a pump (active solar thermal design) into the solar tank where the water can be stored for later use or heated more for immediate use.

Solar Photovoltaic / Photo (Light) + Voltaic (Electricity)

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) cells change sunlight directly into electricity. Solar cells are often made from silicon-based materials that react to the suns light not its warmth (as Solar Thermal panels do). Certain types of materials called semiconductors convert sunlight to electricity naturally. In a Solar PV cell the suns photons strike a thin silicon layer which dislodges electrons in the thin semiconductor coating creating a flow of electrons which is electric current. A Solar module contains many solar cells connected together. Several solar modules (solar panels) form a solar array which directs output all of the solar electrical energy to your inverter.

The solar electric energy created is in the form of direct current (DC) power. This power is routed to an inverter that converts it to alternating current (AC) for use in your home or business. The power flow also will be tied into your electric meter and to the grid. This will allow you to move power you dont use to the grid (getting paid for it by the utility) and to tap into the utility when you need to supplement your own solar power generation. Grid tied inverters are designed to shut down transfer of electricity to the grid automatically during a power outage. This built-in feature is to protect any line workers that may be working during the outage. Battery based inverters can allow continued use of your solar power during the outage after disconnecting from the grid. They reactivate the output in a split second to continue supplying electricity to any loads wired into the critical load sub-panel.

North American Solar Stores - Your Best Choice

NASS is the premier network of brick and mortar Solar Stores dedicated to making Solar Energy more accessible and understood by consumers. When you visit a NASS member store you will be dealing with a business that has a showroom, has been in business for many years and has a strong local reputation. All NASS member stores receive ongoing solar training to stay current with the latest products and technologies. Every NASS member shares a dedication to renewable and alternative energy products and are ready to help customers become more energy independent.

• Customers are Choosing NASS members for their solar energy equipment and system installations for some important reasons. NASS offers a buying experience that is quite unique in the solar industry. Every member is committed to removing the mystery and providing the facts about solar energy. By providing information and education paired with solid products and experience, NASS is fast becoming the brand to look for in Solar Stores. Bringing the solar opportunity to residential and small business consumers should be as easy as installing a furnace, fireplace, wood stove or air conditioning system. Finally, customers have a reliable choice when considering solar energy.
• All of our North American Solar Store members have operated successful businesses in the Hearth & Home, Alternative Energy or HVAC Industries for years. They have a business location that you can visit and relax in a comfortable setting. There is a trust level that comes when you choose a NASS member that you can count on to deliver and back-up their energy products, installation and service.
• Since we are able to negotiate buying of quality solar components on a large scale, this allows NASS to offer a shared buying power with all of the Solar Stores in our network. Our member stores will always provide fair pricing that will be competitive with other professional companies in their market.
• Word-of-Mouth is our best advertising. Every store in our solar store network has built a solid reputation with local customers. Putting customer service and satisfaction first always pays big dividends. It does take time, but considering that many of our members have owned their own stores for decades, they have a large circle of positive influence in their communities. If you live or work near one of our locations it is likely that you have already heard of our member store.
• A quality solar energy system that is installed by experienced technicians may not always be the lowest price, but it will always be the best value. Proper installation and integration into the electric or hot water system is critical. Every solar powered system needs to deliver results as expected for the life of the solar components (usually 25 years or more for solar pv installations.) Price alone should never be the deciding factor when buying a solar energy system. Investing in a solar home improvement is a major decision that deserves an in-depth look at potential solar equipment providers and the products that they offer.
• Since our solar store members have had installation and service crews for many years they are adept at working on rooftops and working with mechanical systems in your home. They also attend ongoing education specifically for solar at the NASS Solar Training Institute in Madison, WI. Certifications and licensing varies from state to state and across Canada but be assured that every store has properly trained personnel to design, sell and install solar energy equipment for residential solar and small business application of solar energy.
• Being involved in community, regional and national industry and business organizations allows NASS members to stay up to date on energy products and best practices. Each member has a listing on the member information page showing the specific memberships they belong to and the certifications that they earned.
• f you decide to proceed with an estimate for a solar energy system our solar technicians will visit your home or business to perform a site assessment. The professional staff will never be pushy or use misleading information to convince you to buy a solar home improvement. There is no rush to purchase only a sincere desire to provide the best energy solution for each individual customer. Once the scope of your project is decided upon, you will be presented with an accurate estimate based on energy production projections that you can count on.