Wayne's Solar Anniversary: What happened 30 years ago?

Wayne Phillips began his long, successful career in solar 30 years ago, when very few others were thinking that far ahead.  These days solar is one of the most popular topics in regards to green energy with the idea of saving money and the environment.  Just to give you an idea of how far back our company goes, here are some major milestones of 1983:  

Ronald Reagan was in the third year of his presidency and in 1983 he proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative, nicknamed by the media as "Star Wars".

M*A*S*H, the popular TV series, ended after 11 years and 251 episodes on CBS.

The U.S. Embassy was bombed in Beirut, killing 63 people.

Sally Ride became the first American woman in space.

Unemployment rose in the U.S. to 12 million, the highest figure since 1941.

Vanessa Williams became the first African-American to be crowned Miss America.

Martin Luther King Day became official when President Ronald Reagan signed the bill creating a federal holiday on the third Monday of every January to honor the American civil rights leader.

The Washington Redskins defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-17 in Super Bowl XVII.

The Balitmore Orioles took the World Series, winning 4 games to 1 over the Philadelphia Phillies.

The New York Islanders won the Stanley Cup.

Time flies and we look forward to the next Wayne's Solar anniversary!  Contact us for your solar power needs in Central and Northeast Florida including Jacksonville, Sanford, Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, Daytona, Port Orange, and St. Augustine.

Patrick Schmidt Keeps Running Green for Great Causes

Wayne's Solar continues its sponsorship of local runner Patrick Schmidt...here's an update from our intrepid athlete:

On October 27th, I ran the Lighthouse Loop half marathon in Port Orange. I thank Wayne's Solar for sponsoring to help support the athletic department for Volusia County Public Schools. This was truly a great cause to help support our local community! There were about 1,300 runners and I placed 52nd overall, 6th place in my division. My finish time was 1:40:38, this is now my fastest half marathon time to date! I beat my previous record by over 7 minutes. 

On November 9th, I ran a 5k in Jacksonville for MADD in the morning with my family then I drove back to Orlando to run the Disney Wine & Dine half marathon that same night to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This hits home for me as I have family and friends who have been killed by drunk drivers and I also have friends that are currently trying to beat Leukemia. There were 12,153 runners to support this cause, I placed 431 overall for the half marathon, 58 in my division. My finish time was 1:49:05. This was another great cause that Wayne's Solar supported! 

I am extremely happy and honored that Wayne's Solar has asked me to run for them so that they/we can help support our local community here at home in the Central Florida area. Many people that I speak with have said that your company's support of the local community is what brought them to your front door. Wayne's Solar then followed that up with a very high level of professionalism. Kudos to all of you at Wayne's Solar! Not only are you saving customers from aggravation, but you are saving them money too!

Moreover, I did run a full marathon (26.2 miles) on November 17th at Alafia River State Park in Hillsborough County by Tampa. This was a off road trail marathon, I finished this monster in 4:38. Needless to say, I was worn out. I came in 21st place overall. 

My next race is a big one, it is a 4 day race from January 9-12 at Walt Disney World. I will be running a "Dopey Challenge" consisting of a 5k (3.1 miles), 10k (6.2 miles), 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles), and a full marathon (26.2 miles). Wayne's Solar will be supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma causes again, very exciting!

Thank you, Patrick, from everyone at Wayne's Solar.

Wayne's Solar Supports Great Causes, Sponsors Patrick Schmidt for Charity Runs


Our company is excited to announce our ongoing sponsorship of a local runner, Patrick Schmidt, in a variety of fundraising runs all over Florida.  We believe support for the community we serve is of utmost importance and what better way than to enable a dynamic individual like Patrick to run for charity.

Patrick Schmidt is also the Hayward Pool Products/Goldline Controls District Field Technical Manager for Eastern Florida, so his accomplishments are clear off the running track as well.  Wayne's Solar offers a full array of Hayward salt chlorination and pool automation products so the partnership is a perfect fit.

The photo shown was a triumphant event for Patrick, who says, "The run was held at Disney and was called the Tower of Terror 10 miler, that benefits Autism Speaks, an organization that is dedicated to funding research into the cause, treatment, and cure for autism. Additionally, this charity helps families and individuals who deal with the hardships from the disorder.

"All runners who finish/complete the run receives a finishers medal (this is what I was holding). I finished 353 out of 9475, 42nd place in my division. I love to run to help support local charities and to be a good role model for children by promoting a healthy lifestyle. I am a father of twins and want to lead them by setting good examples for them as my parents were to me, health is important to me.

"Wayne's Solar has supported charitable causes in other areas and now wants to help support their local community. I am extremely happy and proud that I am able wear their running shirt knowing that they are supporting not only charities, but their community as well.  Be lean and go green!"

Upcoming runs that Patrick will participate in with sponsorship by Wayne's Solar include:
Sunday, Oct. 27th - Light house loop (PONCE INLET)
Saturday, Nov. 9th - Wine and Dine Run (DISNEY)


30 Years Later: What were things like in 1983?

As of 2013, Wayne's Solar is celebrating 30 years in the solar business! 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a very remarkable year in many ways including Wayne Phillips' idea to begin a solar thermal pool heating business in Central Florida, which has now grown into a thriving solar energy contractor spanning six counties. Read on to find out what else was happening that year...

What did things cost 30 years ago?
  •  Interest Rate Year End Federal Reserve: 11.00%
  •  Average cost of new house: $82,600
  •  Median price of an existing home: $70,300
  •  Average income per year: $21,070
  •  Average monthly rent: $335
What were the top five songs on the Billboard chart?
  1. Every Breath You Take - Police 
  2. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson 
  3. Flashdance...What A Feeling - Irene Cara 
  4. Down Under - Men At Work 
  5. Beat It - Michael Jackson 
Aside from Wayne's Solar, what else made its debut?
  • Cabbage Patch Dolls
  • Swatch Watches
  • Microsoft Word
  • Cellular Phones (introduced by Motorola)
  • The Internet (Arpanet officially switched to the Internet Protocol)
  • Space Shuttle Challenger
  • Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.)
  • McDonald's McNugget
What popular movies hit the theater in 1983?
  • "National Lampoon's Vacation"  
  • "Return of the Jedi" 
  • "Terms of Endearment" 
  • "Risky Business" 
  • "Flashdance" 
  • "Mr. Mom" 
  • "Trading Places" 
  • "Scarface" 
  • "The Big Chill" 
  • "Tootsie" 
Happy 30th Birthday Wayne's Solar!  Contact this licensed and trusted company for all your solar needs in Daytona, Ormond, Palm Coast, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, New Smyrna, Port Orange, Palatka, and the surrounding areas of Florida.

Celebrating 30 Years in the Solar Florida Business

In 1983, Wayne Phillips began installing solar thermal systems to heat Volusia County, Florida pools and the Wayne's Solar company was born.  30 years later, Wayne's Solar is serving the solar needs of homes and businesses all over a five county area including Jacksonville, Port Orange, Ormond Beach, Daytona, Palm Coast, and St. Augustine.  Solar installations provided by Wayne's currently include:
There have been many developments over the past three decades in regards to solar power, and green energy in general. As the world has recognized its dependence on fossil fuels, alternative energy sources have enjoyed increased popularity.  Many governments and utility companies are offering incentives to go solar, and judging by the interest shown by the media and the public, solar has gone mainstream.

We will be celebrating the past 30 years of solar with related blog posts throughout 2013.  Happy Anniversary Wayne's Solar!