Zeus Theater converts to solar energy

Electricity is within the prime 5 for Zeus Owner/Founder Brett Hayes, whose different bills embrace payroll, motion pictures and taxes. The constructing makes use of electrical energy for warmth, air-con, and working projectors.

So when Hayes began methods to chop one among his most important prices, the concept of ​​his 35,000-square-foot facility going photo voltaic was interesting.

The capital funding for changing to photo voltaic is critical. Hayes mentioned it was a $625,000 effort.

“It was a giant funding. The cash was paid upfront,†he mentioned.

However, there’s assist to assist with important capital prices.

“There is a 30 % tax credit score for photo voltaic funding,†Hayes mentioned.

To additional assist with the fee, Hayes utilized for and obtained a $240,000 US Department of Agriculture grant to assist.

Today, the roof of Zeus is roofed with a whole lot of photo voltaic panels put in by Tiger Solar in Staunton over a number of months, which shall be accomplished by the tip of 2023.

“It was a seven-month course of,†Hayes mentioned of the set up. “I generate my very own energy. I cannot purchase from the massive energy firms.â€

Solar energy now produces about 40,000 kilowatt hours monthly on the Waynesboro movie show.

Zeus runs eight film theaters. There are 4 present hours, beginning with matinees within the early afternoon and ending with night reveals. Cinemas are open on daily basis.

According to Hayes, the innovation of Zeus can’t be repeated in cinemas nationwide. Large chains lease buildings for film theaters. Hayes owns the Zeus facility constructing, which makes the photo voltaic funding extra logical.

“You should have pores and skin within the sport,†he mentioned. “We are the proprietor of the constructing.â€

As for any feedback in regards to the US authorities subsidizing the undertaking, Hayes pointed to different power investments beforehand supplied by the federal government.

“The authorities has been subsidizing oil manufacturing since 1973,†he mentioned.

For Hayes, photo voltaic freedom has a historic context.

“You have to return to the nineteenth century for a enterprise to be self-powered,†Hayes mentioned, referring to the usage of water wheels to supply energy.

As for photo voltaic upkeep prices, Hayes sees probably the most important prices being many years away.

“In 30 years, we’ll set up new photo voltaic panels,†he mentioned.