Marvin Kuentzel: Renewable Energy Systems LLC.

• Author: Stomierowski, Peg
• Position: VIEW FROM THE TOP - Interview

Marvin Kuentzel, founder and owner/manager of Renewable Energy Systems LLC, came to Alaska with his family from Sacramento, Calif., in 1961 and began his career manufacturing solar cells for ARCO Solar in the early 1980s.

His alternative energy business on Dimond Boulevard in Anchorage is an offshoot of Polar Wire Products, which he founded in the early 1990s.

Polar Wire, with offices in Olympia, Wash., and on Brayton Drive in Anchorage, manufactures arctic-grade wire, electrical equipment and other wire management products used extensively in alternative energy systems.

Kuentzel received his MBA from Alaska Pacific University.

ABM: How's the view from the top at Renewable Energy Systems ... and what are some industry drivers and challenges?

Kuentzel: Regardless of whether the purchaser is a business or an individual, the demand for renewable power systems is being propelled by federal tax incentives, global pricing drops, higher availability of products, a maturity in renewable technology, and the rising costs of electricity and fuel.

Alaska, of course, has other challenges for renewable energy systems, one of the greatest being the realization that no one of these sources is likely to provide a total, cost-effective solution to our state's high-load energy needs. Wind-and diesel-power generation remains the most cost-effective and reliable means of large-scale power in remote locations.

In contrast, remote micro-power systems generally do make sound economical sense. Vast numbers of these systems have been successfully deployed throughout the state at remote lodges, small and large homes, recreational cabins and remote telecommunication sites, and for railroad track signaling, weather cameras and marine buoy signals.

ABM: What are some of your primary strengths?

Kuentzel: Renewable Energy Systems offers a team of highly experienced local technical experts to provide evaluation, design, installation and servicing to deliver reliable renewable power systems (typically 25 kW or less). To design a well-functioning hybrid system, the appropriate energy sources and components must be married into a reliable, cost-effective and long-lasting system tailored to each customer's particular needs. Especially in harsh climates like Alaska's, it is critical for renewable energy companies to be...