KW Solar News

KW Solar Promotes Renewable Energy at Delaware Home Show

Shopping for ideas

Homeowners seek renovation advice at fall Home Show

By IRA PORTER • The News Journal • October 19, 2009

It was a little bit of apples versus oranges for the McDermott family of Wilmington. The McDermotts browsed the aisles and spoke with vendors Sunday afternoon at the annual fall Delaware Home Show, getting suggestions for how to redo their Wilmington home. They decided to stay in Delaware after an unsuccessful search for a new home in Pennsylvania.

"We were in a home that needed to be renovated or we needed to move and let someone else renovate," Lecia McDermott said.

The McDermotts are thinking about putting solar panels on their roof, but for different reasons.

"We're trying to be energy-efficient," Lecia said.

"We're trying to get the energy bill down," John, her husband, chimed in.

"We're trying to be more responsible" Lecia said.

"We're trying to save a little bit of money," John laughingly added.

In the end they agreed to disagree on remodeling reasons, but the McDermotts were just two of many people who came to the two-day event at the Center on the Riverfront to take brochures, listen to speakers and shop.

"This was a show you couldn't afford to miss because of the education we were offering," said Jennifer Casey, executive vice president for the Home Builders Association of Delaware. Casey alluded to the green living theme for this year's showcase. Classes were offered on green energy, interior design and what the federal stimulus package means to Delaware.

Jim Kelley, president of KW Solar Solutions, credits the Obama administration and incentives from the stimulus package for making his Newark-based company thrive.

"The current administration has been very supportive of our industry with the current stimulus package," Kelley said. He said his business has gotten support from state and local government as well as the armed forces. The Delaware National Guard is one of its biggest clients. Kelley predicts that business will be good for his industry after the economy has rebounded because being environmentally friendly is the wave of the future.

Another person looking for ways to save was Argenette Harper. She is remodeling the kitchen of her Newark home and stopped by Newport-based American Cabinet Refinishing to see if they could help.

"With the way the economy is working, you want to get the most for your money," said Harper, who scheduled an appointment with the cabinet company after they sold her on the idea of refurbishing her cabinets for a cheaper price than pulling them out and getting new ones.