It started at the energy farm in Lyons, Nebraska, and visiting with people about wind and solar energy. Ed Toribio, owner of Home Energy Alternatives, decided to start his own green business offering sales and installation services for solar electric systems and small-scale wind turbines. Ed put it this way, “I saw a business opportunity in renewable energy for which I already had a great passion and increasing interest.”

Prior to opening his business in April of 2008, Ed sought lots of hands-on trainings and workshops. He turned to Center staff Dena Beck to help get his business off the ground, and received a microloan from our Rural Enterprise Assistance Program (REAP). Three months later he realized a market for his company was lacking in central Nebraska.

 

Ed’s focus now is on creating awareness in nearby communities. He hosts monthly workshops and is working with the Nebraska Unicameral to modify laws that will allow his customers to receive fair pricing for their generated power and to provide tax incentives to help cover the initial cost of their investment.

 

He’s also working to open The Center for Renewable Education, an educational nonprofit facility to provide installers with hands-on training to create more green jobs and enterprises. Ed feels strongly that alternative energy needs to be given a chance to compete with all other forms of energy in use today.

 

For more information or to suggest ideas, visit www.nebraskagreenenergy.com or call 308.293.3407.