United Solar Energy Receives Award from New Vista Ranch

Although proud of its contribution to the 1996 Olympics, United Solar Energy is even more proud of its donation of the solar pool heating system to the New Vista Ranch, a gift which recently brought an Award of Appreciation from the non profit organization.

The system was made available by company President Ranen Ghatak who, in the past, has donated solar hot water heater systems to the Nathan Adelson Hospice, the Nike House, the Marian Residence."I know it may sound like a cliche, but because of the great acceptance of our products and service locally, we find it rewarding to give back to the community," noted Ranen Ghatak. "We enjoy seeing our solar system put to good use by organizations which can derive a benefit from reduced operating costs."

" The donation of the solar pool heating system has been a godsend," claimed Richard Herrmann, executive director of the 11 year old facility which houses 24 young people afflicted with Downs Syndrome or some other mental or physical disability that was acquired from birth. "We fully expect our heating bill to go down $200 to $250 a month. This addition is a tremendous asset."

While most people think of solar energy as the wave of the future, they may be more than surprised to discover it has been around Las Vegas for a long time. United Solar Energy was founded by Ranen N. Ghatak, a mechanical engineer from India. Mr. Ghatak, born in India and educated in West Germany, has an extensive background in solar energy research and development. He was consultant for the United Nations World Bank, Energy Division and BMW before striking out on his research in 1977.

Since then, he has designed and marketed passive hot water systems, pool heating systems, triangle collectors for dome homes, and baseboard heaters through a distribution network in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Florida. The company's products range from a patented portable solar oven, which cooks food without the sooty mess of charcoal or costly propane, to a solar heating tank encased in what

seems to be a skylight for installation on roofs. In addition, United Solar Energy also markets a solar powered pump which uses a photovoltaic array to produce electricity for the pump to deliver its water. Ghatak said he has seen more demand for his products from both builders and homeowners since his designs have been manufactured with a more decorative look in mind. "Our roof mounted units look like skylights," he said of his most visible product.

Over the course of the years, United Solar Energy has installed solar water heating system at a number of wellknown commercial and residential locations. His products can be seen in several Las Vegas neighborhoods were they were either a standard or optional item. And he said the products are also in hundreds of other Southern Nevada homes where the owner has contacted his firm after the home was purchased. More recently, United Solar's projects have included Whiskey Pete's Casino Primm, the Riverside Hotel in Laughlin, the Canyon Gate Country Club, the 1,400 unit Duck Creek Village condominiums and the 80 unit Christy Meadows development. But the success doesn't stop in Southern Nevada.

"It's surprising, but we've sold more solar heating equipment outside Nevada than inside Nevada," Ghatak said. "Part of the reason for that is because, in the beginning, contractors thought the systems were too expensive. But now, after several successful projects, the builders are seeing the wisdom in providing a system that makes sense economically for home owners."

Ghatak also said more than 50 percent of his orders come from out of state, primarily California, Arizona and New Mexico. He said he has received inquiries from the Virgin Islands and Hawaii. Through a distributor in Southern California he currently has orders for products in more than 600 homes. He said the products can also be seen in the recently built custom homes of baseball star Rick Sutcliff and actress Heather Locklear in SouthernCalifornia.'

The solar water heating systems sell for less than $2,000, meet all building codes and have been approved by FHA and the VA for housing loans. "If you heated your pool with solar energy, there would be no bill for the eight or nine warmer months," he said. "This is a great savings over gas or electric, particularly for something that can be considered a luxury.'

Boulder City offers a utility credit for homes that retrofit with solar power equipment, and for new homes, he added. He said use of solar heating products can add to the appraised value of a home, especially when the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is involved in the appraisal. "To get this kind of appreciation, you must use a designated appraiser," he said. For example, in an application for an FHA loan, use of solar equipment can increase the value of a home from $1,600 to $3,200, depending on the actual value, he said.

The Indian government, already encouraging production of solar products with tax incentives of up to 50 percent, has responded enthusiastically to the oven, according to Ghatak. U.S.E. has acquired land in West Bengal for a solar products factory that will initially employ 100 to 150 workers. "We can build an oven that an entire village can use, if not eliminating, at least greatly lessening the need for fuel, which, in India, is very costly," said Ghatak. Nigeria has also shown interest in the unit and Ghatak is in negotiations with this West African nation for a production contract. Ghatak feels that he can considerably reduce the cost of each oven once his Indian factory opens, making the purchase price more affordable for villages and individual users.

Ghatak sees his oven as one solution to India's energy problems. Installing an oven in each Indian village might seem improbable, but Ghatak believes that demand will skyrocket once the benefits of the device becomes apparent. "After the initial cost of the oven, it never costs a thing again", Ghatak said.

Aside from its products developed over the years and celebrating Heliocol's 20th anniversary of growth and expansion in the United States, United Solar Energy has added yet another environmental item to its product list, the Mist R Fog. The misting system, like those that can be found at several local shopping areas, has proven to be a hot item for the company.

The growth in demand for the high pressure misting system is unreal," Ghatak said. "We are growing so fast that we're having to create a completely new division for this product in our corporation."

Ghatak predicted sales for his company will increase easily four to five times due in large part to the rush for the misting systems. The product also is responsible, in part, for the physical expansion of the company.

"We've broken ground on a new 60,000 square foot building in Henderson's Gibson Business Park and expect to be in sometime next year," Ghatak noted. "We'll more than double our work force and the building will be equipped to run daily with our complete line of solar energy products."