Several months ago, we launched a deep dive after noticing solar panels went up on the Animal Center’s building on Old Scenic Highway. It was an unfamiliar sight, as solar panels had their moment about a decade ago, but new projects have seemingly disappeared since the tax credits went away.

From there, we went down the rabbit hole of learning about the federal government’s energy efficiency grant program, and were surprised to learn about how local contractors have been at the forefront of helping business owners in Zachary and surrounding communities “reap” the benefits of energy independence.

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), offered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is designed for farmers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs in rural regions, including Zachary. Through guaranteed loans and grants, eligible applicants are able to invest in renewable energy solutions such as solar panels, LED lighting, HVAC updates, insulation, doors and windows, and more–and get reimbursed up to 110%. 

“It’s 40% federal tax credit, 50% grant, and you’ll get depreciation of up to 21% in Zachary,” explains Travis Hughes of Hughes Mechanical, a second-generation family owned business in Zachary established by his father, Marty Hughes Sr., and currently under Travis’s leadership. Travis has been a hard driver for the company’s growth, with an emphasis on energy efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint of its clients—which ultimately helps boost those companies’ bottom line.

“The best thing about this is when we have someone we know on a personal level we can help out,” Hughes says.

Hughes Mechanical works closely with The Next Energy out of Kenner, having met them while doing work for a large grocery chain. 

"It literally took one meeting for us to understand how great of a program this is for the people that could benefit from it,” Hughes says. 

From there, his days have been spent on the road all over South Louisiana, meeting with business owners, educating them on the grants available, filing the paperwork, and scheduling the jobs. Hughes is so well-versed in the process and makes it easy.

By maximizing energy efficiency, Zachary businesses can not only save money on utility bills but also contribute to a cleaner, greener future for generations to come. And, depending on the project, actually make money back in the form of a grant check from USDA or a hefty tax credit.

“Energy independence is crucial,” explains Ricky Carroll, owner of Thermo-Guard spray foam insulation company, and Eco Build, which specializes in commercial and residential solar panel systems. 

Carroll's approach to solar energy is not about immediate gratification. He views it as a long-term investment, akin to being offered the chance to buy the next decade's worth of gasoline at a fixed, low rate of $2 a gallon, without the hassle of storing it. This analogy underscores the financial prudence of solar energy, factoring in the inevitable rise in utility costs due to inflation and the impact of severe weather conditions. 

Carroll got his start in solar in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Faced with the devastation and the power outages that followed the hurricane, Carroll decided he no longer wanted to be vulnerable to external forces that could disrupt his access to energy. This realization propelled him on a self-taught path to energy independence, leveraging online resources, YouTube tutorials, and a hands-on approach to learning. 

His motivation wasn't to save money, but to achieve a level of energy efficiency for his home that would render it self-sufficient. He ordered all the necessary components and installed the first solar panel system on his property, which made his home more energy-efficient, and also resulted in unexpected cost savings.

Now, through Eco Build, Carroll and his team help large companies capture sunlight and make electricity, helping them to offset their carbon footprint. “People assume that being pro-solar equates to being anti-petrochemical, but that isn’t so,” Carroll says. “Any energy independence is great.” The infrastructure is fairly prone to attack, he says, citing the Colonial Pipeline hack that crippled the petro giant’s infrastructure in 2021. “Being able to provide backup power for my family and clients is a necessity,” he says. “Hedging your bets is how I look at it.” 

By adopting solar and taking advantage of these tax credits and grants, businesses can lock in their energy costs, shielding themselves from future price increases and contributing to a more sustainable planet–and a greener Zachary.