SPECIAL ISSUE: North America’s Top Solar Contractors Tell Their Stories
Racking And Mounting Highlights
July 2014 www.solarpowerworldonline.com
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Congratulations Contractors This issue is for you, the industrious and resilient solar contractor, bringing solar to North America. We know it’s not an easy job. Analysts call it the “SolarCoaster,” and skeptics loom. At summer parties, well-intentioned relatives probably asked whether solar really works. Mine did. “Solar is a success, and it’s becoming more affordable, efficient and reliable every day,” you told them. You shared stories about your latest project, about how it’s exceeding expectations. You argued for solar because you believe in it as a business and a boon to the environment. The companies featured in the following pages are members of the 2014 Solar Power World Top 400 Solar Contractors list. We admire their dedication to the industry and strong convictions. In this issue, we set out to do two things: Recognize these successful contractors and share their knowledge with the wider solar community, which will help the whole industry grow. So how did we develop the Top Solar Contractors list? We invited solar companies to apply for our list through a web-based form during the first half of the year. Companies provided basic information, total megawatts installed and the capacity they added in 2013. We verified the companies and sorted the list based on 2013 installations. In the case of two contractors reporting the same numbers, we sorted by total megawatts installed. We then divided our Top 400 list 23 ways, first by market segment: Utility, Commercial and Residential. Further, we listed companies by their self-identified category: EPC, Developer, Construction Firm, Rooftop Contractor, Off-Grid, Electrical Sub-Contractor or Solar Hot Water Installer. We also identified some of the most exciting solar states and featured companies located there. We also share key insights from top contractors and discuss challenges facing the industry. We open with three pieces that will help you hire well, market better and navigate financing. Throughout the issue, we spotlight companies and share their best advice. And we close by touring the diverse regions of the United States and telling their solar stories. It’s our collective and individual strength that will keep the industry moving forward. Solar Power World is here to recognize the achievements so far and assist the industry as it grows. Congratulations, contractors, and thank you for doing what you do every day. This issue is dedicated to you and your teams. SPW
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Editorial Director fandorka@solarpowerworldonline.com
Editorial Advisory Board
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These Top 400 Solar Contractors Are Driving Solar Growth
Rhone Resch
Special to Solar Power World Rhone Resch is the president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), a co-sponsor of the Top 400 Contractors list.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Connect and discuss this and other solar issues with thousands of professionals online
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2014 is the year of the horse. But here in the United States, this may well go down as the year of the sun. America’s solar energy industry is currently on pace to achieve another record-shattering year. The evidence can be seen from coast to coast, as tens of thousands of homes and businesses turn to solar to help meet their electricity needs. This simply wouldn’t be possible without the effort, hard work and creativity of these Top 400 solar contractors. Nowhere is this success more evident than at Apple’s massive solar farm and fuel cell facility in Maiden, N.C., which is now providing clean energy for its $1 billion, 500,000 square-foot data center. This is one of the largest non-utility owned systems in the world and is part of Apple’s bold and visionary plan to use 100% clean energy for all of its data centers. In addition to Apple, some of the most successful companies and organizations in the United States, including Walmart, FedEx, Google, IKEA, General Motors, Macy’s, Johnson and Johnson, Kohl’s, Costco, Walgreens and the U.S. military have all made significant investments in solar. Walmart, for example, recently announced that it would ramp up construction of new clean energy projects nationwide, including an expanded use of solar. The company’s decision to increase its clean energy projects by six-fold puts Walmart on a clear path to become 100% supplied by renewable energy by 2020. Today, nearly 40 utility-scale, clean-energy solar projects are under construction in the United States — using both concentrating solar power (CSP) and photovoltaic (PV) technologies — putting thousands of electricians, steelworkers and laborers to work, while also helping to reduce carbon emissions from power plants. These facilities, along with rooftop solar on homes, businesses and schools, will generate electricity for generations to come.
This year, an estimated 7.5 GW of solar is expected to be installed in the United States, bringing the cumulative nationwide total to more than 20 GW. That’s enough electricity to power more than 4 million American homes. But here’s the real kicker: More solar has been installed in the United States in the past 18 months than in the prior 30 years combined. Solar currently employs nearly 143,000 Americans at more than 6,100 companies, most of which are small businesses spread across the United States, making solar one of the fastest growing industries in America. Part of this amazing growth is attributed to the fact that the average cost of a solar system has dropped by nearly 40% over the past two years. Simply put, solar is critically important to our nation’s energy security and economic security, and we’re doing our part to fight climate change, too. For years, there was only one real argument against solar: It was too expensive. That’s no longer the case. When President Carter was in office, solar panels were in fact costly and used primarily for off-grid and space applications. Since then, the cost of solar has plummeted by more than 97%, and the industry has become one of the most innovative and entrepreneurial sectors of our economy. Think about it. Solar is generating enough electricity today to power every single home and business in a state the size of Oklahoma. That’s real progress — the kind of progress the vast majority of Americans want. Over the past five years, national polls show that 9 out of 10 people believe the United States should develop and use more solar power. Today, the Top 400 solar contractors are helping to make this happen. SPW
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Technology • Development • Installation
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CONTENTS
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First Word
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SEIA Applauds Top Contractors
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How To Build A Successful Workforce
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Strategies For Successful Marketing
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Your guide to the 2014 Solar Power World Top 400 Solar Contractors issue.
Solar Energy Industries Association President and CEO Rhone Resch recognizes how the Top 400 Contractors are driving the solar industry’s growth.
Solar contractors share six tips on how to hire smartly and retain top talent. About the Cover:
Learn how top contractors leverage social media, referrals and the web to gain more business.
Getting Financing From Local And Regional Banks
Local and regional banks will become important project financing sources for contractors.
Issue. Recognizing successful contractors and sharing knowledge to help the
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The Top 400
industry grow.
The 2014 Top 400 Contractors List
Solar Power World’s annual recognition of North America’s top solar contractors.
2014 Top Solar Contractors
HONORING THE BEST OF THE INDUSTRY
109 Racking & Mounting Special Section Top Solar Contractors are such because of their hard work and dedication. The following pages honor the incredible efforts of 400 solar companies and tell how they achieved success.
Solar on parking garages, time study, fire testing, white papers and other racking and mounting updates.
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2014 Top Solar Contractors
The Top 400 List Begins On The Next Page Lists By Scale Lists By Segment Lists By State
p.34 p.48 p.67
Visual Feature Contractors Across America Contractor’s Corner
p.08 p.87 p.114
114 Surviving Superstorm Sandy
How a New York solar contractor survived the 2012 storm and came back stronger than ever.
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YOUR PLAYING FIELD KEEPS CHANGING IT TAKES EXPERTISE TO STAY AHEAD IN RENEWABLE ENERGY. Get proactive insight, market-focused advice and guidance from a nationally recognized leader— insights that help developers, lenders and investors achieve success from their investments in renewable energy. Find out what CohnReznick thinks at CohnReznick.com/re.
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2014 Top Solar Contractors
Technology • Development • Installation
. . . BY T H E NUMBERS
Sometimes pictures tell the best story. With that in mind, we created this By The Numbers visual feature, which is based on the responses of 113 Top Solar Contractors, including Swinerton Renewable Energy, Gehrlicher Solar America Corp. and Infrastructure & Energy Alternatives. How do companies market? Where do they concentrate social media efforts? What state is best for a solar startup? It’s all here.
PRIMARY MARKET SEGMENT
54% Residential 36% Commercial
{
07% Utility 03% Off-Grid
PRIMARY SERVICE PROVIDED
33% 29% 13% 13% 6%
Rooftop Construction Developer Electrical Off-Grid Solar Hot Water Contractor Firm Subcontractor Contractor Contractor
HOW DO TOP CONTRACTORS MARKET?
“Referrals are key to marketing because they show that you are reputable and have done a great job for your client who is happy to share their experience with others.”
90%
57%
42%
35%
34%
Referrals
Social Media
Web Ads
Print Ads
Direct Mail
30%
22%
21%
12%
5%
Content Marketing
Door-To-Door
Radio
Telemarketing
Billboards
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3%
EPC
INFOGRAPHIC BROUGHT TO YOU BY SOLAR POWER WORLD
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3%
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— Lloyd Notley, Manager, IQPower
INFOGRAPHIC BROUGHT TO YOU BY SOLAR POWER WORLD
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OO innovation? WHICH TECHNOLOGY NEEDS MORE
Batteries “Most of the attacks on solar and net-metering happen in this area. It needs to be addressed and must become part of the everyday mix with solar.” — Michael Collins, Director of Sales and Marketing at Power Production Management
52%
Panels “Efficiency of panels drives all aspects of solar. As the panels become more efficient, all supporting components and economies of sale will follow suit.” — Christopher Hale, President of Sun Blue Energy
Racking & Mounting “When we first entered solar, we found that the majority of mounting methods and racking systems were labor intensive. We have seen a lot of improvement in this area, however, we feel there is still a long way to go.”
24%
WHAT TYPE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ARE TOP CONTRACTORS USING?
73% 51% 50% 27% 27% 10% 8% 4% YouTube
NUMBER OF FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS 22% 24% 15% 12% 4% 4% 2%
Pinterest Instagram
Tumblr
= 0 to 100 followers
101 to 500 501 to 1,000 1,001 to 2,500 2,501 to 5,000 5,001 to 10,000
+
10,001 or more
= 0 to 10 followers
0 to 20 21 to 50 51 to 100 101 to 250 251 to 500
+
501 or more
NUMBER OF TWITTER FOLLOWERS 29% 14% 6% 6% 6% 2%
YouTube
0 to 100
NUMBER OF LINKEDIN FOLLOWERS 19% 14% 8% 10% 4% 10%
Google+
= 0 to 100 followers
0 to 100 101 to 500 501 to 1,000 1,001 to 2,500 2,501 to 5,000 5,001 to 10,000
1%
10,001 to 20,000
1%
20,001 or more
+
INFOGRAPHIC BROUGHT TO YOU BY SOLAR POWER WORLD
— Dave Wood, Director of Renewable Energy at Helix Electric
Inverters “Inverters are crucial to the success of the system. For there to be any risk factor at all is incredibly unnerving. We hope to see inverter development include size reduction and amplified weather resistance, while becoming more user friendly and more transparent for anyone.”
10% 6%
— Randy Grommet, Owner, SunSmart Technologies
8%
Other INFOGRAPHIC BROUGHT TO YOU BY SOLAR POWER WORLD
WHAT’S THE BEST STATE TO START A SOLAR BUSINESS TODAY? California 29%
Other 44%
Alabama 12% New York 7% Arizona 4% Texas 4% INFOGRAPHIC BROUGHT TO YOU BY SOLAR POWER WORLD
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6 Tips For Building A Successful Workforce
By Kathie Zipp, Managing Editor
A company is only as good as its employees. Here are six tips from our Top Contractors on how to hire smartly and keep your team up to speed.
Hire Employees Who Align With Your Company Values Every company has different values. Determine yours then find people who fit, even if it takes time. For example, Las Vegas-based Sol-Up wanted a team who worked well together, supported each other and cared about the success of the company. “With a lean management team, it’s extremely important we have cooperative and ambitious employees,” says Mari King, the company’s office manager. “We hire people who are willing to fit into any role, to learn and to be flexible. We give our employees a lot of freedom and flexibility in their schedule, so if someone isn’t a team player it will quickly
become apparent.” King says her company also values trust and making sure employees know they’re appreciated. “We pay out a month ahead of time (crazy, I know), give commission for sales and are flexible with time off,” she says. “Trust is empowerment and empowered employees take pride in their work.”
solar while still having fun. “We install solar on our work trucks, cornhole boards, music festival charging stations, Mario Kart N64 video game stations — really on anything we can,” says John Grieser, the owner. “We’ve
Hosting interns and mentoring is important because it helps keep the fire alive — not just for them, but also for myself
Consider Hiring Vets Hiring veterans and displaced workers has been important to Caleb Arthur, CEO of Missouri Sun Solar. “We find that many veterans and displaced workers are hungry to learn a new craft and get back to work,” he says. “We love their work ethic and the skills from other trades they often bring to the table. Veterans have provided an invaluable service to our country, and we want to support them in any way possible.” Create The Right Company Culture Portland, Oregon’s Elemental Energy embraces a progressive, “work hard, play hard” culture. The company promotes
managed to weave our work into our play by putting in the hours, working diligently and making sure that we take the time off we need to come to work with fresh ideas and strong energy everyday. It’s our job to make sure employees are engaged in their work. When you’re engaged and passionate, it doesn’t feel like work. It’s fun.” Hire Grads And Interns Grieser also says that the solar industry is young, progressive and dynamic, so college graduates fit in perfectly because they mirror those attributes. He also loves their enthusiasm.
Photo courtesy of Southard Solar
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OO [TRAINING] “Hosting interns and mentoring them is important because it helps keep the fire alive — not just for them, but also for myself,” he says. “Excitement is contagious, and it works both ways. We guest lecture at all local colleges to recruit young, educated, talented and passionate individuals.” Take Time To Train Due to the past limited market for solar in Michigan, Helios Solar says there are few trained solar installers and system engineers. But it is able to retain top talent by offering opportunities for solar equipment education and training. Douglas Southard, president of Southard Solar & Construction in Missouri, says his company also keeps strong ties to the local training programs and tradesman associations. “Training programs produce top new
talent that we are able to draw from,” he says. “Much of our network efforts lead us to various placement directors and, in turn, provides us with new candidates.”
Photo courtesy of Sol-Up
You Need To Network Whether it’s looking for a new salesperson on LinkedIn, generating credibility through blogs, or connecting with its large Twitter and Facebook following, Pasadena California’s Run on Sun knows the value of networking on social media. But the company’s CEO and founder Jim Jenal says having a physical presence is important too. “I regularly attend major industry events, like Intersolar and Solar Power International, as a way to meet people I might otherwise only know through social media,” Jenal says. “It is a great way to take those relationships to the next level.” SPW
APS IS A BETTER CHOICE
Innovative, cost-effective, bankable: PV panels meet their perfect match in APS microinverters After dealing with “big-name” suppliers, Brimma Solar switched to APS microinverters as the smart, reliable alternative. Two years later, APS is the only brand for Brimma. “We used to use another major brand of inverters, but we had a lot of issues,” says John Harley of Brimma Solar. “With APS, I have never had a customer call with complaints.”
APSamerica.com
844.666.7035
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OO [MARKETING]
Top Contractors Use These Strategies For Powerful Marketing
Carli Evilsizer
Carli Evilsizer is a marketing specialist at WTWH Media, the publisher of Solar Power World. For more marketing advice, go to marketing.wtwhmedia.com.
Solar installers who think their biggest competition are other installers are probably wrong. The real competition and challenge for solar marketing, according to companies large and small, is convincing the public that solar technology works. “There are still awareness issues and myths to debunk,” says Fred Greenhalgh, Digital Marketing Manager for Maine-based ReVision Energy. “Most people would go solar if they knew they could.” Solar marketing managers say that customer reviews, consistent content marketing plans and a strong digital presence are the most effective strategies to educate the public. A recent study from SPV Market Research confirms that recommendations and Web research lead to more than half of residential solar installations. With this in mind, ReVision Energy has discovered that its best marketing strategy is providing educational articles as well as customer reviews directly on its website.
“We have had tremendous success by providing unbiased, quality information and letting people contact us once they’ve made up their own minds,” Greenhalgh says. Rick Hunter, CEO of Microgrid Solar, has noticed the power of referrals. In fact, he explains it this way: “Marketing is all referrals, either directly or indirectly.” Hunter says people gravitate toward what friends and family endorse more than what traditional advertising tries to sell. Acting on this, Microgrid Solar has organized its entire marketing approach around referrals by leveraging every existing client. The company checks in with customers on a regular basis, sends newsletters and throws customer appreciation events throughout the year, keeping customers excited. Microgrid Solar heavily depends on social media to stay connected with its customers and is active on 10 platforms. While the company has received successful sales leads from social media, Hunter says social media should be
People gravitate toward what friends and family endorse more than what traditional advertising tries to sell. — Rick Hunter, CEO of Microgrid Solar
Educating the public can start early. Mark Bortman of Exact Solar speaks to a seventh-grade science class about different types of solar energy systems as part of its Renewable Energy unit.
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The Microgrid Solar truck, topped with panels, makes stops around town. Company vehicles wrapped in logos and information are one way to increase contact with potential customers.
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OO [MARKETING]
viewed as a way to build customer awareness and loyalty. Greenhalgh agrees that social media is a great platform to connect with current and potential customers. “It is a way to get in front of people who don’t know us yet and to let customers remember we are still around,” he says. Another East Coast company, Exact Solar, also uses social media to stay connected with customers. Dara Bortman, VP of Sales and Marketing, says customers especially enjoy seeing photos of recent projects on Facebook. Bortman says she doesn’t consider solar installers to be her competition so much as the challenge of convincing the public to go solar. “It is a big step to go solar still,” Bortman says. “People are more comfortable if their neighbors, people just like them, have it already. We need
to show them they do.” Exact Solar also creates unique content to post on their website. For the last three years, Exact Solar has published a monthly solar article in the local newspaper to help educate the public. These articles have been successful because they are easy to understand and cover topics the public finds interesting, such as solar pool heating. Bortman hopes these articles will convince more people to go solar and benefit the industry. “I’m happy to see other successful installers because it’s good for the industry and there is plenty of work to go around,” she says. Hunter of Microgrid Solar agrees. “We aren’t trying to take a piece of the pie, we are trying to expand the pie,” he says. SPW
Solar technicians from ReVision Energy pose with a panel during a residential installation.
MICROGRID SOLAR @MICROGRID REVISION ENERGY @REVISIONSOLAR EXACT SOLAR @EXACTSOLAR
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How Local And Regional Banks Could Help Contractors
Frank Andorka Solar Power World Editorial Director
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At Intersolar North America in July, the SunSpec Alliance Solar Finance and Asset Symposium IV featured an excellent set of speakers who covered the gamut of financing options for solar now and in the future. One of the most interesting discussions revolved around the role of local and regional banks. You might ask, “What is so intriguing about financing?” I’ll tell you: Getting regional and local banks involved will require installers to educate those bankers the same way they had to educate large investment
7 • 2014
banks over the past five years. The task may seem daunting, which is why I reached out to installers to see what they thought of the prospect and whether it would be worth the effort. Azam Kazmi, president of Yellowlite in Independence, Ohio, says he believes there is clearly space for local and regional banks to enter solar financing. “The more solar financing options, the merrier,” Kazmi says. “Financing is such a delicate component of any sale, but for solar it can make or break it.” “Considering that finances for solar are different depending on your local and state incentives, regional banks play a critical role to push solar further, especially into non-traditional solar states,” he adds. Financing also depends on the type of system you’re selling. Yellowlite primarily focuses on residential customers. Standard Solar, on the other hand, works in the commercial and residential markets. The two segments face different financing challenges, says Tony Clifford, CEO of Standard Solar in Rockville, Md. “Since tax equity is required for most large commercial projects, we almost always look to major national and international banks, utilities, large corporations and other entities that can provide both tax equity and debt financing,” Clifford says. “But here may be an expanded role for regional and local banks once the 30% ITC steps down to 10%. With less reliance on tax-equity financing, regional and local banks may be better suited to provide long term leases and loans for solar PV systems.” The more confidence local and regional banks gain, the more contractors will be able to turn to those banks in the future to secure financing. “I expect that solar loans will become increasingly common with local banks, credit unions, finance companies and other entities that now offer car loans to their customers,” Clifford says. “As more consumer financial institutions offer solar loan programs, residential-customer demand will shift away from lease and PPA products and more towards solar loans.” Kazmi says finding financing was one of Yellowlite’s biggest challenges because the company is located in Ohio, a nonsolar-leasing state. But after a lot of patience and trial and error, he believes the company has some pretty enticing solutions for customers, especially unsecured options. “Our challenge right now is how we can improve the turnaround time for the customer who wants secured financing,” Kazmi says. “Having a reasonable turnaround is key to keeping the sale ‘hot,’ as is being able to accommodate various financing models.” It’s clear that when local and regional banks join the solar lending market, they will expand the industry even further than the large financial players are doing now. The real question is: How long will we have to wait and what will be the long-term effects? SPW
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
8/19/14 3:48 PM
OO
2014 Top Solar Contractors
HONORING THE BEST OF THE INDUSTRY Top Solar Contractors are such because of their hard work and dedication. The following pages honor the incredible efforts of 400 solar companies and tell how they achieved success.
The Top 400 List Begins On The Next Page Lists By Scale p.34 Lists By Segment p.48 Lists By State p.67
Secondary Cover 7-14_Vs7FINAL.indd 15
Visual Feature p.08 Contractors Across America p.87 Contractor’s Corner p.114
7/25/14 7:34 PM
OO
2014 Top Solar Contractors = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
THE 2014 TOP 400 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2013 1
First Solar
Tempe
AZ 1999 4850
2887 1130 www.firstsolar.com
2
NRG Energy
Princeton
NJ 1989 10000
1200 672 www.nrgenergy.com
3
Rosendin Electric
San Jose
CA 1919 3500
4
SolarCity
San Mateo
CA 2006 5000
5
CSI Electrical Contractors
Santa Fe Springs CA 1990
6
Strata Solar
Chapel Hill
NC 2009 110
7
E Light Wind and Solar
Englewood
CO 1998 298
8
AMEC
Atlanta
GA 1946 27000
250
9
Mortenson Construction
Minneapolis
MN 1954 2400
522
10
Signal Energy Constructors
Chattanooga TN 2005
11
Swinerton Renewable Energy
San Francisco CA 1888 1700
339
102 www.swinerton.com
12
Cupertino Electric
San Jose
CA 1954 1800
800
100 www.cei.com
13
Moss Solar
Ft Lauderdale FL 2004 400
14
Gehrlicher Solar America Corp
Springfield
NJ 2010
50
115
80
www.gehrlichersolar.us
15
Arraycon
Sacramento
CA 2009
47
193
75
www.arraycon.com
16
Infrastructure & Energy Alternatives (IEA)
Westchester IL 2011 900
400
71 www.iea.net
17
Vivint Solar
Provo
UT 2011 1600
18
Sunstall
Novato
CA 2011
27
108
52
sunstall.com
19
M Bar C Construction
San Marcos
CA 2005
65
158
44
www.mbarconline.com
20
Quanta Power Generation
Greenwood Village CO
21
Helix Electric
San Diego
CA 1985 1500
104.8
22
Borrego Solar Systems
San Diego
CA 1980 112
103.5 37.296 www.borregosolar.com
23
S&C Electric Company
Chicago
IL 1911 2500
69.2 34.2 www.sandc.com
24
RGS Energy
Louisville
CO 1978 300
235
31
rgsenergy.com
25
Cenergy Power
Carlsbad
CA 2008
42
68
30
www.cenergypower.com
26
Inovateus Solar
South Bend
IN 2008
27
27
Helios Developments
Sudbury
ON 2011 120
42
28
Verengo
Torrance
CA 2008 1050
61.2
16
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Top 400 list 7-14_Vs4SBKZ.indd 16
7 • 2014
2008
750
85
650
478.844 383.41 www.rosendin.com 567
280 www.solarcity.com
378
260
300
200 www.stratasolar.com
www.csielectric.com
456.8 189 ewindsolar.com 187 amec.com 185.8 www.mortenson.com
360.6 132.7 www.signalenergy.com
268.89 99.8 www.moss-solar.com
99.053 58.26 vivintsolar.com
344.193
42.793 41
www.quantapower.net www.helixelectric.com
126.35 28.35 inovateus.com 26
heliosdevelopments.com
25.4 www.verengosolar.com
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/24/14 9:09 PM
Roll Forming Stamping
Over 3 GW of Solar Mounting Structures Fabricated
Custom Assembly Fastener Insertion OMCO 7-14.indd 5
602-447-3180 www.omcosolar.com 7/25/14 9:58 AM
OO THE 2014 TOP 400 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2013 29
Main Street Power Company
Boulder
CO 2009
30
56.696 25.361 www.mainstreetpower.com
30
FLS Energy
Asheville
NC 2006
45
47.455 24.718 www.flsenergy.com
31
Radiance Solar
Atlanta
GA 2007
21
29.37 24.5 www.radiancesolar.com
32
AUI Contractors
Fort Worth
TX 1983 325
94
23
www.auigc.com
33
McCarthy Building Companies
St. Louis
MO 1864 1600
72
23
www.McCarthy.com
34
Trinity Solar
Wall
NJ 1994 251
35
DKD Electric
Albuquerque NM 1978
36
Resolute Performance Contracting Tempe
37
Cantsink Manufacturing
38
93.886 22.038 www.Trinity-Solar.com
117
63.5
AZ 2011
30
30.5 20.439 www.resolutepc.com
Lilburn
GA 1988
50
Wilson Electric
Tempe
AZ 1968 533
39
Nexamp
Boston
MA 2007
40
REC Solar
San Luis Obispo CA 1997
41
Tecta Solar
Fort Washington PA 2000
42
JE Dunn Construction
Kansas City
MO 1924 2650
43
Amberjack Solar Energy
Oakland
NJ 2009
70
36
44
Solar Design Tech
Ogden
UT 1996
14
27.9
45
Alternate Energy
Honolulu
HI 1993
60
46
Solar Universe
Livermore
CA 2008
93
37
47
Energy Systems & Installation (ESI) Jonestown
PA 2008
62
23.4
48
NRG Home Solar
Wall
NJ 2010 503
29
13.5 www.roofdiagnostics.com
49
BITHENERGY
Baltimore
MD 2009
22
13.3 bithenergy.com
50
Ray Angelini
Sewell
NJ 1974 300
113
13
www.raiservices.com
51
Hannah Solar
Atlanta
GA 2008
23
26.9
13
www.hannahsolar.com
52
Natural Power and Energy
Scottsdale
AZ 2008
7
23.176 12.815 naturalpowerandenergy.com
53
Advanced Green Technologies
Fort Lauderdale FL 2007
25
86.771 12.771 www.agt.com
54
Hanwha Q CELLS USA
Irvine
CA 1999
59
131.228 12.668 www.q-cells.us
55
Bland Solar & Air
Bakersfield
CA 1985
35
48
12
blandsolar.com
56
Fun In The Sun Solar
Orlando
FL 1998
33
42
12
www.funinthesunsolar.com
57
Renewable Assets
Trenton
NJ 2009
32
30
12
www.renewableassets.com
58
U.S. Light Energy
Latham
NY 2009
65
32
11
uslightenergy.com
59
Standard Solar
Rockville
MD 2004
58
33.994 10.589 www.standardsolar.com
60
KDH Solar
New Orleans LA 2006
5
13.964 10.452 kdhsolar.com
61
Beaumont Solar
New Bedford MA 2006
50
24.5
62
Solar Electrical Systems
Westlake Village CA 1981
20
106
10
solarelectricalsystems.com
63
Sunetric
Kailua
67
10
www.sunetric.com
18
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Top 400 list 7-14_Vs4SBKZ.indd 18
7 • 2014
38
46
21.5 www.dkdelectric.com 20
www.cantsink.com
61.519 18.519 www.wilsonelectric.net 42
18
www.nexamp.com
140
104.453 17.885 www.recsolar.com
2147
72.435 17.435 www.tectasolar.com
17
HI 2004 100
42.7
16.7 www.jedunn.com 16
amberjacksolar.com
15.4 www.solardesigntech.com
267.856 14.689 alternateenergyhawaii.com 14
www.solaruniverse.com
13.7 esipowercorp.com
10.2 www.beaumontsolarco.com
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/24/14 9:09 PM
Schletter 7-14.indd 5
7/25/14 10:02 AM
OO THE 2014 TOP 400 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2013 64
Inman Solar
Atlanta
GA 2008
14
20
10
65
RevoluSun
Honolulu
HI 2009
25
45
9.8 www.RevoluSun.com
66
Pure Power Systems
Hoboken
NJ 2011
40
67
Solar CenTex
Harker Heights TX 2012
68
Hawaii Energy Connection
Aiea
69
Shorebreak Energy Developers
70
www.inmansolar.com
13.237 9.776 www.pure-ps.com
8
18.6
9.6
HI 2007
90
26
Irvine
CA 2010
55
25
9
shorebreakenergy.com
NOVA Consultants
Novi
MI 1992
35
17
9
www.novaconsultants.com
71
American Solar Direct
Los Angeles CA 2009
436
72
Summerwind Solar
Phoenix
73
www.solarcentex.com
9.276 hawaiienergyconnection.com
17.084 8.99 americansolardirect.com
AZ 2009
60
25
8.5
www.summerwindsolar.com
Renewable Energy Massachusetts Cambridge
MA 2009
2
8.5
8.5
www.REMenergyco.com
74
Smart Energy Solar
Corona
CA 2005 120
8.32
8.32 www.smartenergyusa.com
75
Stellar Energy GP
Rohnert Park CA 2006
76
SolBright Renewable Energy
Charleston
SC 2009
5
77
Solar Energy World
Elkridge
MD 2009
45
78
Haleakala Solar
Kahului
HI 1977 148
79
National Renewable Energy Corporation Charlotte
80
Volta Solar (formerly Your Energy Source)
Rancho Cordova CA 1989
40
56.523 6.157
81
Solar Source
Largo
FL 1984
45
83.716 6.118 www.SolarSource.net
82
Sunline Energy
San Diego
CA 2011
32
6.4
6.1
83
Oak Leaf Energy Partners
Denver
CO 2006
3
51
6
oakleafep.com
84
Harmon Electric
Phoenix
AZ 1975 125
16.6
6
harmonsolar.com
85
OnForce Solar
New York
NY 2008
75
16
6
www.onforcesolar.com
86
Baja Construction
Martinez
CA 1981 125
12
6
bajacarports.com
87
SunSmart Technologies
Gladstone
MO 2012
27
11
6
www.SunSmartUSA.com
88
Alliance Energy & Mechanical
Temecula
CA 2006
64
10
6
www.aemenergy.com
89
Lumos Solar
Boulder
CO 2006
50
6
www.lumossolar.com
90
Solect Energy Development
Hopkinton
MA 2009
24
91
Baker Electric Solar
Escondido
CA 2007
79
92
A1 Solar Power
Van Nuys
CA 1986 115
93
SPG Solar
Petaluma
CA 2001
72
94
GeoPeak Energy
Somerset
NJ 2009
50
36
5.5 www.geopeak.com
95
Namasté Solar
Boulder
CO 2005
65
25
5.5
96
Sun Valley Solar Solutions
Chandler
AZ 2006
85
97
Sullivan Solar Power
San Diego
CA 2004 100
98
Blue Oak Energy
Davis
CA 2003
20
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Top 400 list 7-14_Vs4SBKZ.indd 20
7 • 2014
NC 2009
30
15
50
30
8
www.stellarenergy.com
13.24 7.39 www.SolBrightRE.com 16
7
www.solareworld.com
54.652 6.652 www.haleakalasolar.com 15.5
11.5
6.5
5.7
www.narenco.com www.solar-yes.com
www.sunlineenergy.com
www.solect.com
26.549 5.608 www.bakerelectricsolar.com 37
5.6
www.A1solarpower.net
100.58 5.505 www.spgsolar.com
www.namastesolar.com
20.575 5.377 svssolutions.com 19.685 5.194 www.sullivansolarpower.com 25
5
www.blueoakenergy.com
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/24/14 9:09 PM
OO THE 2014 TOP 400 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR =ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2013 99
GCI Solar
Huntington Beach CA 1986
150
100
The Solar Company
Castro Valley CA 2004
170
101
Monolith Solar Associates
Rensselaer
NY 2009
52
16.6
4.8
102
EnterSolar
New York
NY 2006
15
11.2
4.16 www.entersolar.com
103
Independent Energy Solutions
Vista
CA 1998
25
15
104
Solar Liberty Energy Systems
Buffalo
NY 2003
30
105
Solar United Network (SUNworks)
Roseville
CA 2010
70
25
4
www.visitsunworks.com
106
Freedom Solar Power
Austin
TX 2007
33
11
4
freedomsolarpower.com
107
Microgrid Solar
St. Louis
MO 2009
72
9
4
microgrid-solar.com
108
Sunstore Solar
Greer
SC 2007
15
6
4
sunstoresolar.com
109
Sun Solar Energy Solutions
Bakersfield
CA 2008
38
7.12 3.811 www.SunSolarPros.com
110
Hamilton Solar
Reno
NV 2009
50
16.5
111
GRID Alternatives
Oakland
CA 2001 140
112
PermaCity Solar (PermaCity Construction) Los Angeles CA 2003
15
32
3.5
www.permacity.com
113
Stellar Solar
San Diego
CA 1998
49
14
3.5
www.stellarsolar.com
114
Newport Power
San Clemente CA 2008
9
9
3.5
newportpower.com
115
Native
Austin
TX 2007
63
8.46
3.46 buildnative.com
116
Alder Energy Systems
Charleston
SC 2012
6
3.5
3.25 www.alder-energy.com
117
Solular
Marlton
NJ 2009
10
12
3.2 www.solularenergy.com
118
Solar Alliance of America
San Diego
CA 2009
44
8
3.2
119
Vista Solar
Santa Clara
CA 2008
20
120
Fidelity Home Energy
San Diego
CA 1991 150
121
American Electric Co.
Honolulu
HI 1946 150
122
MB Herzog Electric
Paramount
CA 1978 140
123
Sun Light & Power
Berkeley
CA
124
Independence Solar
Cherry Hill
125
SunHarvest Solar
Phoenix
126
1976
15
5
www.gcisolar.com
12.845 4.933 www.thesolarco.com monolithsolar.com
4.14 www.indenergysolutions.com
16.696 4.1
3.7
www.solarliberty.com
hamiltonsolarusa.com
14.899 3.591 www.gridalternatives.org
solarallianceofamerica.com
6.847 3.189 www.vista-solar.com 12.861 3.134 www.fidelityhome.net 9.4
3.1 americanelectrichomes.com
20.17 3.017 herzogelectric.com
63
23
3
sunlightandpower.com
NJ 2007
6
15
3
independencesolar.com
AZ 2009
12
10
3
www.sunharvest-us.com
Planet Solar Incorporated
Santa Barbara CA 2008
53
9
3
www.planetsolar.com
127
Compass Solar Energy
Pensacola
FL 1998
35
6.3
3
www.compasssolar.com
128
Puget Sound Solar
Seattle
WA 2001
32
3.25
3
www.pugetsoundsolar.com
129
Ross Solar Group
Danbury
CT 2007
26
14.5
2.9
www.RossSolarGroup.com
130
Solis Partners
Sea Girt
NJ 2009
15
11.995 2.9 www.solispartners.com
131
SUNation Solar Systems
Oakdale
NY 2003
40
9.914 2.742 sunationsolarsystems.com
132
Smalley Heating & Cooling
Topeka
KS 1996
2
16.905 2.7
133
Horizon Solar Power
Hemet
CA 1998 182
Top 400 list 7-14_Vs4SBKZ.indd 21
7.36 7 • 2014
2.7
www.smalleyenergy.com www.horizonsolarpower.com
SOLAR POWER WORLD
21
7/24/14 9:09 PM
OO THE 2014 TOP 400 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2013 134
O3 Energy Solutions
Dallas
TX 2011
4
135
Third Sun Solar
Athens
OH 2000
19
8.402 2.609 www.thirdsunsolar.com
136
Clean Energy Collective
Boulder
CO 2009
60
5.34
137
Axium Solar
Plano
TX 2008
35
7.209 2.509 www.axiumsolar.com
138
Stealth Solar
Phoenix
AZ 2010
48
9.75
2.5
www.stealthsolar.com
139
Joule Energy
New Orleans LA 2010
50
7.5
2.5
www.joule-energy.com
140
Folium Energy Development
Addison
TX 2010
5
5
2.5
www.foliumenergy.com
141
The Boston Solar Company
Woburn
MA 2011
85
3.1
2.5
bostonsolar.us
142
EmPower Solar
Island Park
NY 2003
56
143
SunVest Solar
Pewaukee
WI 2009
6
144
ADR Solar Solutions
Los Angeles CA 1994
20
145
Herca Solar
Oceanside
CA 2004
35
12
2.3
www.hercasolar.com
146
Missouri Sun Solar
Houston
MO 2012
42
4.3
2.3
www.sunsolar-us.com
147
Planet Earth Solar
San Clemente CA 2012
8
148
ReVision Energy
Portland
ME 2003
65
7
2.25 www.revisionenergy.com
149
Paradise Energy Solutions
Gap
PA 2009
30
8
2.24 paradisesolarenergy.com
150
North State Solar Energy
Forest Ranch CA 2002
20
6
2.2
northstatesolarenergy.com
151
Revolve Solar
Austin
TX 2012 100
3
2.2
www.revolvesolar.com
152
Enchanted Solar
Albuquerque NM 2011
10
2.83
2.2
www.enchantedsolar.com
153
Mountain View Solar
Berkeley Springs WV 2009
23
4.745
154
GEM Energy
Walbridge
155
Air Wind & Solar
Stephenville TX 2010
27
7.62
156
Border Solar
El Paso
TX 2008
12
3.935 2.047 www.bordersolar.com
157
Bella Energy
Louisville
CO 2005
14
11.514 2.009 www.BellaEnergy.com
158
Meridian Solar
Austin
TX 1999
25
40
2
www.meridiansolar.com
159
Hudson Solar
Rhinebeck
NY 2002
45
8.5
2
www.HudsonSolar.com
160
LightWave Solar
Antioch
TN
32
8
2
lightwavesolar.com
161
Positive Energy Solar
Santa Fe
NM 1997
58
7
2
positiveenergysolar.com
162
Berkowatts Electric
Lakewood
NJ 2009
24
6
2
berkowattselectric.com
163
Everyday Energy
Carlsbad
CA 2009
28
6
2
everydayenergy.us
164
NRG Clean Power
Canoga Park CA 1989
80
6
2
nrgcleanpower.com
165
McWire Electric
El Cajon
CA 1999
47
5.6
2
www.mcwireelectric.net
166
Milholland Electric
San Diego
CA 1990
40
5
2
milhollandelectric.com
167
South Coast Solar
New Orleans LA 2008
30
8
168
Solar-Fit
Holly Hill
22
6.6
22
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Top 400 list 7-14_Vs4SBKZ.indd 22
7 • 2014
OH 1955 1200
2006
FL 1975
4.1
2.7
www.o3energysolutions.com
2.57 easycleanenergy.com
9.411 2.423 www.EmPower-Solar.com 5
2.373 www.sunvest.com
16.38 2.35 www.adrsolarsolutions.com
3.364 2.264 planetearthsolarenergy.com
2.197
www.mtvsolar.com
11.155 2.153 www.gemenergy.com 2.1
www.airwindsolar.com
1.999 www.southcoastsolar.com 1.9
www.solar-fit.com
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/24/14 9:10 PM
ET Solar 5-14.indd 5
7/25/14 10:03 AM
OO THE 2014 TOP 400 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2013 169
Newkirk Electric Associates
Muskegon
MI 1961 400
170
Photonworks Engineering
Honolulu
HI 2009
40
6
171
Texas Solar Outfitters
Houston
TX 2010
17
2.24
1.74 texassolaroutfitters.com
172
Empire Renewable Energy (Empire Southwest) Phoenix
AZ 1950 1600
17.3
1.7
www.solarbyempire.com
173
Arise Solar
Clovis
CA 2007
55
4.8
1.7
www.arisesolar.com
174
Clark EcoEnergy
Lancaster
PA 2010
4
3.5
1.7
www.ClarkEcoEnergy.com
175
Renova Solar
Palm Desert CA 2006
56
3.5
1.7
www.renovasolar.com
176
Longhorn Solar
Austin
TX 2009
51
3.195 1.676 longhornsolar.com
177
Solar Impact
Gainesville
FL 2007
9
9.005 1.665 www.solarimpact.com
178
Nova West Solar
Fresno
CA 2005
20
5.75
179
Clean Solar
San Jose
CA 2007
44
3.934 1.606 www.cleansolar.com
180
Alternative Energy Services
Titusville
FL 2007
15
3.25 1.545 www.WeAreSolarPower.com
181
SunGreen Systems
Irwindale
CA
9
3.155
182
Solar Choice Solutions
Westlake Village CA 2007
35
21.5
183
Southern Energy Management
Morrisville
NC 2001
48
184
Douglass Colony Group
Commerce City CO 1947
500
185
Hawaii Energy Smart
Maui
HI 2009
8
4.5
186
Second Generation Energy
Hopedale
MA 2008
6
3
187
EPCON Solar
Phoenix
AZ 2008
50
188
PEP Solar
Phoenix
AZ 1978
15
12
1.384 www.pepsolar.com
189
Harvest Energy Solutions
Jackson
MI 2006
23
4.1
1.35 harvestenergysolutions.com
190
SunFusion Solar Electric
San Diego
CA 2010
30
7.28
1.3
www.sunfusionsolar.com
191
Solar Electric Power Company (SEPCO)
Stuart
FL 1994
10
6.644
1.3
www.sepco-solarlighting.com
192
Bonterra Solar
Honolulu
HI 2009
20
4.8
1.3 bonterrasolar.com
193
Spectrum Energy Development
Elk Grove
CA 2002
12
8.5
1.25 SpectrumEnergyDev.com
194
Sunvalley Solar
Walnut
CA 2007
15
195
Green Global Communities
Maui
HI 2009
50
5.5
1.2 GreenGlobalCommunities.com
196
Power Production Management
Gainesville
FL 2009
25
2.4
1.2
www.sunppm.com
197
SunRenu Solar
Scottsdale
AZ 2008
18
2.2
1.2
www.sunrenu.com
198
Grasshopper Solar
Toronto
ON 2009
25
1.75
1.2
www.grasshoppersolar.com
199
Black Rock Solar
Reno
NV 2007
27
4.14 1.185 www.blackrocksolar.org
200
Central California Solar
Tulare
CA 2009
19
1.805 1.155 www.ccsolar.com
201
Independent Power Systems
Boulder
CO 1996
25
9
1.1
www.solarips.com
202
RER Energy Group
Reading
PA 2009
15
7.1
1.1
www.rerenergygroup.com
203
CB Solar
Ankeny
IA 2013
14
1.7
1.1 www.cbsolarinc.com
24
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Top 400 list 7-14_Vs4SBKZ.indd 24
7 • 2014
2008
75.531 1.876 www.newkirk-electric.com 1.783 photonworks.com
1.64 www.novawestsolar.com
1.545
sungreensystems.com
1.5
solarchoicesolutions.com
20
1.5
www.southern-energy.com
5
1.5
www.douglasscolony.com
1.5 www.hawaiienergysmart.com 1.5
www.sgegroup.com
1.686 1.385 www.epconsolar.com
3.755 1.202 www.sunvalleysolarinc.com
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/24/14 9:10 PM
HanwhaSPI 7-14.indd 5
7/25/14 10:04 AM
OO THE 2014 TOP 400 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2013 204
Solare Energy
San Diego
CA 1989
20
205
Efficient Energy of Tennessee
Knoxville
TN 2009
13
10
1
www.eetenn.com
206
Got Electric
Gaithersburg
MD
10
10
1
gotelectric.net
207
Energy Conservation Services
Gainesville
FL 1977
10
4
1
ecs-solar.com
208
Pinnacle Exteriors
Allentown
PA 2010
10
3.7
1
www.pinnacle-exteriors.com
209
Davis Hill Development
Port Chester NY 2010
3
3
1
davishilldevelopment.com
210
Fafco Solar
Cape Coral
FL 1974
20
3
1
fafcosolar.com
211
Progressive Power Solutions
Orem
UT 2006
13
3
1
www.ppswest.com
212
German Solar Corporation
London
ON 2009
10
2.6
1
www.germansolarcorp.com
213
Casey Electric
Tell City
IN 2000
10
2.5
1
www.caseysolar.com
214
German Energy Alternatives
London
ON 2003
28
2.5
1
www.geainc.ca
215
Sunlight Solar Systems
Salt Lake City UT 2008
7
2.5
1
www.sunlightsolar.pro
216
SolareAmerica
Malvern
PA 2010
5
2.2
1
www.solareamerica.com
217
Alpenglow Solar
Park City
UT 2010
15
2
1
alpenglowsolar.com
218
Solar Energy Management
Tampa
FL 2008
15
2
1
solarenergymgmt.com
219
COST LE$$ Energy
Yakima
WA 1979
11
1.225
1
solar77.com
220
Honeycomb Solar
Pittsburgh
PA 2012
4
1
1
www.honeycombsolar.com
221
Staten Island Renewable Energy
Staten Island NY 2009
4
1
1
Siresolar.com
222
Zia Suns Green Construction Co.
Las Cruces
NM 2014
8
1
1
www.ziasuns.com
223
Built Well Solar
Wantagh
NY 2001
15
6
0.98 www.builtwellsolar.com
224
21st Century Power Solutions
Catonsville
MD 2009
18
3
0.9
225
Scudder Solar
Marina
CA 2007
17
226
Convergence Energy
Lake Geneva WI 2008
4
4.5
0.85 convergence-energy.com
227
Lifestyle Solar
Fresno
CA 2008
40
4
0.85 www.lifestylesolarinc.com
228
Magic Sun Solar
Loomis
CA 2010
10
1.8
0.85 www.magicsunsolar.com
229
Spear Point Energy
Aspen
CO 2009
10
6.473 0.844 spearpointenergy.com
230
New York State Solar Farm
Gardiner
NY 2006
15
1.233 0.803 www.nyssf.com
231
Eagle Point Solar
Dubuque
IA 2010
16
1.9
0.8 www.eaglepointsolar.com
232
Palomar Solar
Escondido
CA 2009
12
1.9
0.8
233
ZeroBase Energy
Detroit
MI 2009
21
1.2
0.765 www.thezerobase.com
234
Ultra Solar & Wind Solutions
Ocean City
MD 2009
4
1
0.765 ultrasolarandwind.com
235
New England Clean Energy
Hudson
MA 2006
19
2.52 0.739 newenglandcleanenergy.com
236
Artisan Electric
Seattle
WA 2007
30
1.2
0.735 artisanelectricinc.com
237
Mass Renewables
Bellingham
MA 2009
4
2.4
0.72 massrenewables.net
238
Fresco Solar
Morgan Hill
CA 2008
10
2
26
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Top 400 list 7-14_Vs4SBKZ.indd 26
7 • 2014
2006
2.68 1.018 www.SolareEnergy.com
www.smartsimplesolar.com
2.215 0.89 www.ScudderSolar.com
0.7
www.palomarsolar.com
www.frescosolar.com
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/24/14 9:10 PM
OO THE 2014 TOP 400 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2013 239
ReGreen
Los Angeles
CA
240
Earth Wind And Solar Energy
Chicago
IL 2008 10
1.2
241
Plan It Solar
Grass Valley
CA 2001
14
0.78 0.672 www.planitsolar.com
242
Gunn Solar Energy Systems (Gunn Electric)
Pineville
LA 1950
24
0.72 0.654 gunnsolarenergysystems.com
243
Carbon Vision
Shaker Heights
OH
5
2.571
244
Helios Solar
Kalamazoo
MI 2009
5
0.865 0.65 www.helios-power.com
245
vis solis
Franklin
TN 2010
4
9.8
0.6
www.vis-solis.us
246
Sunsense Solar
Carbondale
CO 1990
12
4.8
0.6
www.sunsensesolar.com
247
Mr. Sun Solar
Portland
OR 1980
10
2.6
0.6
MrSunSolar.com
248
Altenergy Incorporated
Charlottesville VA 2005
14
2.1
0.6
altenergyincorporated.com
249
NW Wind & Solar
Seattle
WA 1972
110
2
0.6
www.nwwindandsolar.com
250
Kenergy Solar
Washington
DC 2009
12
1.45
0.6
www.kenergysolar.com
251
SunCraft Solar
Poway
CA 2006
20
2.9
0.59 www.suncraftsolar.com
252
Solarponics
Atascadero
CA 1975
24
253
Greenbelt Solar
Austin
TX 2009
20
1.3
254
Energy Independent Solutions
Pittsburgh
PA 2008
13
2.35 0.553 www.EISsolar.com
255
New Day Solar
Murrieta
CA 2001
12
5.71
0.55 newdaysolar.com
256
Epic Solar
Tracy
CA 2007
5
3.5
0.55 www.epic-solar.com
257
Robco Electric
Las Vegas
NV 1997
49
1.53
0.53 gsesolarlasvegas.com
258
Atlasta Solar Center
Grand Junction CO 1979
12
10
0.5
259
Maui Solar Project
Kahului
HI 2008
15
2
0.5 www.mauisolarproject.org
260
Moore Energy
Southampton PA 2008
20
2
0.5
www.mooreenergy.com
261
Oak Electric
Waterford
MI 1999
40
2
0.5
www.oakelectric.com
262
You Save Green
Albertson
NY 2010
15
2
0.5
www.yousavegreen.com
263
SOLeenic
San Bruno
CA 2010
10
1.7
0.5
www.soleenic.com
264
Greenwired
Redway
CA 2004
9
1.5
0.5
www.greenwired.net
265
SkyPower
Scottsdale
AZ 2006
15
1.5
0.5
skypoweraz.com
266
IQPower
Sanford
FL 2009
25
1
0.5
www.iqpower.net
267
Yes! Solar Solutions
Cary
NC 2009
14
0.75
0.5
yessolarsolutionsnc.com
268
RenuEn Corp
Jupiter
FL 1996
22
0.5
0.5
www.renuen.com
269
Current Electric Co
Brookfield
WI 1983
38
1.1
0.47 currentelectricco.com
270
Creative Energies
Lander
WY 2000
12
3.5
0.455 www.cesolar.com
271
Capital City Solar
Roseville
CA 2002
10
4
272
PowerLutions
Lakewood
NJ 2008
12
3.5
0.45 PowerLutions.com
273
Innovative Power Systems
St. Paul
MN
5
3.45
0.45
2008
2009
1991
50
Top 400 list 7-14_Vs4SBKZ.indd 27
1.035
0.7
www.regreencorp.com
0.69 EarthWindAndSolarEnergy.com
0.651
carbonvision.com
3.492 0.569 www.solarponics.com
7 • 2014
0.56 www.greenbeltsolar.com
atlastasolar.com
0.45 www.capitalcitysolar.com ips-solar.com
SOLAR POWER WORLD
27
7/24/14 9:10 PM
OO THE 2014 TOP 400 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2013 274
Solargaines
Cockeysville
MD 2009
8
1.75
275
Cape Fear Solar Systems
Wilmington
NC 2007
12
1.125 0.45 CapeFearSolarSystems.com
276
Solar Trek
Ocala
FL 1981
18
2.6
0.445 www.gosolartrek.com
277
El Paso Green Energies
Colorado Springs CO 2009
6
0.86
0.43
278
EcoLogical Energy Systems
Bristol
TN 2009
8
1.05 0.425 YourEcoEnergy.com
279
Florida Power Services
Tampa
FL 2008
4
3.4
0.4
fpssolar.com
280
Solar Electric Systems & Products
Mesa
AZ 2002
12
3
0.4
solarelectricfreedom.com
281
Simply Solar Of Maryland
Abingdon
MD 2009
6
1
0.4
simplysolarofmaryland.com
282
Stellar Roofing & Solar
Wheat Ridge CO 2008
9
0.9
0.4
energy-contractors.com
283
LightDay Solar
Tempe
5
0.898 0.386 www.lightdaysolar.com
284
Active Solar
San Juan Capistrano CA
7
1.145
0.377
activesolar.us
285
Asia-Pacific Energy Group
Hagatna
50
8.375
0.375
www.APEG.us
286
Green Earth Solar
Knoxville
TN 2009
8
1.45 0.375 greenearthsolar.net
287
Whidbey Sun & Wind
Coupeville
WA 2000
12
1.238 0.351 whidbeysunwind.com
288
American Sentry Solar
Bel Air
MD 1993
40
1.05
289
AA SOLAR
Danville
IL 2008 10
1
0.35 aasolartracking.com
290
Peak Solar Designs
Salida
CO 2004
3
1
0.35 peaksolardesigns.com
291
Frontier Solar
San Jose
CA 2007
6
292
Green State Power
Greensboro
NC 2008
5
0.9
0.35 www.greenstatepower.com
293
Solar Odyssey
Stafford
TX 2012
8
0.55
0.35 www.solarodyssey.us
294
LuxLight Solar Energy
Lodi
CA 2001
10
0.6
0.336 www.LuxLightSolar.com
295
Southface Solar Electric
Phoenix
AZ 2008
8
296
Srinergy
Novi
MI 2010
6
1.3
297
Green Power Energy
Annandale
NJ 2009
11
1.39 0.315 www.greenpowere.com
298
A1A Solar Contracting
Jacksonville
FL 2010
15
0.588 0.309 www.a1asolar.com
299
STR Systems
Poughkeepsie NY 2011
8
1.78 0.302
300
Barnes Solar
Irvine
CA 2010
9
2.4
0.3
www.barnessolar.com
301
American Solar and Alternative Energies Atlanta
GA 2008
15
2
0.3
americansolarenergies.com
302
2K Solar
NY 2006
5
1.44
0.3
www.2KSolar.com
303
Appalachian Renewable Resources Knoxville
TN 2010
1
1
0.3
www.arrtn.com
304
Thames Solar Electric
Denver
CO 1981
3
1
0.3
www.thamessolar.com
305
Great Canadian Solar
Edmonton
AB 2005
6
0.55
0.3
greatcanadiansolar.com
306
EFS Energy
St. Louis
MO 2011
10
0.32
0.3
www.efsenergy.com
307
Hire Electric Solar
The Dalles
OR 1935
18
1.206 0.298 www.hiresolar.com
308
Simpler Solar
Tallahassee
FL 1974
5
28
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Top 400 list 7-14_Vs4SBKZ.indd 28
Middletown
7 • 2014
AZ 2008 2008
Guam 1995
0.45 solargaines.com
elpasogreenenergies.com
0.35 www.adbuild.com
0.968 0.35 frontiersolar.com
1.648 0.325 www.southfacesolar.com
135
0.325 www.srinergy.com
0.29 www.simplersolar.com
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/24/14 9:11 PM
Arkema_KynarSolar 7-14.indd 5
7/25/14 10:34 AM
OO THE 2014 TOP 400 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2013 309
Skytech Solar
San Francisco CA 2007
15
1.641 0.27 www.skytechsolar.com
310
Sol-Up USA
Las Vegas
NV 2009
13
0.626 0.27 www.solup.com
311
ReNu Energy Solutions
Charlotte
NC 2010
14
0.855 0.26 renuenergysolutions.com
312
Solora Solar
Yakima
WA 2011
3
313
Yellowlite
Cleveland
OH 2009
6
314
A National Electric Service
Pompano Beach FL 1999
315
Mirasol FAFCO Solar
Nokomis
316
GC SOLAR
317
0.5
0.26 www.solorasolar.com
0.601 0.252 yellowlite.com
6
3
0.25
FL 1977
25
2
0.25 www.mirasolsolar.com
Bellevue
WA 1992
6
1.8
0.25 www.gcsolar.com
SOLARgeneration
Woodstock
NY 2005
6
1.1
0.25 solargeneration.net
318
Smart Energy of New England
Colebrook
NH 2008
10
0.76
0.25 www.smartenergyne.com
319
Solar Sales of Michigan/Salvatore Contracting Davison
MI 2001
8
0.72
0.25 solarsalesofmichigan.com
320
Exact Solar
Yardley
PA 2005
1
0.5
0.25 www.exactsolar.com
321
Solar Watt Solutions
Carlsbad
CA 2009
12
0.4
0.25 www.solarwattsolutions.com
322
Southern Light Solar
New Bedford MA 2013
6
0.4
0.25 southernlightsolar.com
323
Energy Conservation Solution
Mooresville
NC 2011
18
0.378 0.25 energyconservationnc.com
324
CIR Electrical Construction
Buffalo
NY 1976
25
0.302 0.249 www.cirelectric.com
325
Southern Solar Systems
Huntsville
AL 2007
10
1.8
0.24 southernsolarsystems.com
326
Mechanical Energy Systems
Canton
MI 1985
12
0.5
0.225 mes1.com
327
Go Solar Group
Salt Lake City UT 2011
11
0.27
0.22 gosolargroup.com
328
Peka Solar And Renewable Energy Cape Coral
FL 2011
8
5
0.2
www.pekasolar.com
329
Sierra Solar Systems
Las Vegas
NV 2005
5
3.2
0.2
www.sierrasolarsystems.com
330
Flatiron Solar
Boulder
CO 2007
1
1
0.2
flatironsolar.com
331
Barrus Solar
Long Beach
CA 2008
16
0.8
0.2
www.barrussolar.com
332
That Solar Guy
Murrieta
CA 2010
15
0.6
0.2
www.thatsolarguy.com
333
ARiES Energy
Knoxville
TN 2011
15
0.5
0.2
www.ariesenergy.com
334
Green Conception
Burbank
CA 2011
10
0.5
0.2
www.greenconception.com
335
Skyline Energy Savers
El Dorado Hills CA 1988
10
0.4
0.2
SkylineSavers.com
336
Electric Distribution & Design Systems Garland
TX 1976
10
0.36
0.2
garlandtxsolarcontractors.com
337
ES Electrical Construction
Penryn
CA 1998
5
0.52 0.195 eselectricalinc.com
338
CalSun Electric & Solar Systems
Paso Robles CA 2010
3
0.37 0.195 www.calsunelectric.com
339
Texas Green Energy
College Station TX 2007
5
0.792 0.192 www.txgreenenergy.com
340
Brightstar Solar
Marlborough MA 2009
7
0.556 0.188 www.brightstarsolar.net
341
Earth Electric
San Jose
CA 2009
5
0.288 0.186 www.earth-electric.com
342
Southard Solar & Construction
Longmont
CO 1987
6
0.38 0.183 www.southardsolar.com
343
California Sun Systems
Los Angeles CA 2006
5
0.713 0.178 www.CSSSolar.com
30
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Top 400 list 7-14_Vs4SBKZ.indd 30
7 • 2014
anationalelectricservice.com
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/24/14 9:11 PM
YOUR BOTTOM LINE
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7/25/14 10:41 AM
OO THE 2014 TOP 400 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2013 344
GenPro Energy Solutions
Piedmont
SD
345
SunWork Renewable Energy Projects
Milpitas
CA 2009
4
0.25
0.16 www.SunWork.org
346
South Sound Solar
Olympia
WA 2008
13
0.6
0.15 southsoundsolar.com
347
Solar Technology Alabama
Eva
AL 2008
3
0.469 0.15 solartechnologyalabama.com
348
Sol Providers
Wappingers Falls NY 2011
25
0.45
0.15
349
Run on Sun
Pasadena
CA 2006
3
0.4
0.15 runonsun.com
350
Solar Advantage
Tampa
FL 2012
5
0.2
0.15 solaradv.com
351
Abundant Energy
Jupiter
FL 1985
15
0.3
0.145 abundantenergy.com
352
GleanPower
Denton
TX 2008
4
0.297 0.144 www.gleanpower.com
353
Hyperion Energy Solutions
Bellville
OH 2012
3
1.49 0.142 hyperionenergysolutions.com
354
Michigan Solar & Wind Powered Solutions Commerce
MI 2007
4
0.653 0.141 michigansolarsolutions.com
355
Wray Industries
Ellensburg
WA 1991
5
0.271 0.137 www.wrayindustries.com
356
Elemental Energy
Portland
OR 2010
4
0.492 0.132 www.elementalenergy.net
357
Colored Solar
Ventura
CA 2010
33
1
358
Sundial Solar Power Development Jackson
MS 2009
4
0.13
0.13 www.sundialsolar.us
359
Windsun Energy Systems
Carlsbad
CA 1980
12
3.5
0.12 windsunenergysystems.com
360
Morton Solar
Evansville
IN 2003
5
0.8
0.12 www.mortonsolar.com
361
Maine Solar Solutions
Portland
ME 2012
4
0.149 0.12 mainesolarsolutions.com
362
Clean Footprint
Cape Canaveral
FL 2012
10
0.117 0.117 www.clean-footprint.com
363
Accelerate Solar
Charlotte
NC 2012
8
0.168 0.114 www.Accelerate-Solar.com
364
Maryland Solar Solutions
Owings Mills MD 2009
6
0.395 0.112 marylandsolarsolutions.com
365
Affordable Solar Contracting
Wahiawa
HI 1993
2
2.1
366
Solar Direct
Sarasota
FL 1986
30
2
367
Millennium Solar Electric
Park Forest
IL 1999
5
0.8
0.1 millenniumsolarelectric.com
368
Energy Consultants Group
Anamosa
IA 2008
6
0.3
0.1 www.ecgllp.com
369
Granite State Solar
Sutton
NH 2008
5
0.2
0.1
www.GraniteStateSolar.com
370
Green Energy EPC
San Diego
CA 2011
5
0.2
0.1
www.greenepc.com
371
Mariner Energy Systems
Medina
OH 2006
4
0.2
0.1
marinerenergysystems.com
372
Paradise Power Company (PPC Solar) Taos
NM 1979
7
5.604 0.096 www.ppcsolar.com
373
Winona Renewable Energy
Winona
MN 2010
2
0.28
374
Beehive Technical Services
Las Cruces
NM 1989
7
0.35 0.088 beehivetechnicalservices.com
375
Power Star Solar
Irvine
CA 2007 102
376
Sunshine Works
Winchester
TN 2007
3
67
0.084 www.sunshineworks.com
377
Belmont Solar
Gordonville
PA 2002
5
3
0.084 www.belmontsolar.com
378
Main Street Solar
Fincastle
VA 2008
5
0.2
0.08 www.mainstsolar.com
32
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Top 400 list 7-14_Vs4SBKZ.indd 32
7 • 2014
2003
17
1
0.175
www.genproenergy.com
www.solproviders.com
0.13 www.coloredsolar.com
0.1 affordablesolar.com 0.1
solardirect.com
0.09 winonarenewableenergy.com
0.48 0.086 www.powerstarsolar.com
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/24/14 9:11 PM
OO THE 2014 TOP 400 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2013 379
Sun Dollar Energy
Raleigh
NC 2011
2
380
Solar Surfers
Nyssa
OR 2010
4
0.105 0.079 www.solarsurfers.org
381
Save a Lot Solar
Oakland
CA 2008
5
0.428 0.078 www.savealotsolar.com
382
Solartronics
Thousand Oaks CA 2006
3
0.35
383
VB Solar
Boca Raton
FL 2013
1
0.075 0.075 www.vbsolar.com
384
Falmouth Solar
E. Falmouth
MA 2012
4
0.068 0.068 falmouthsolar.com
385
Frederickson Electric
Port Townsend WA 1974
12
0.257 0.067 www.fredelectric.com
386
SolarSmith
Savannah
GA 2007
5
0.157 0.052 www.mysolarsmith.com
387
California Solar Electric Company
Grass Valley
CA 2004
12
3
0.05 www.californiasolarco.com
388
Solarwerks
Chicago
IL 2008
3
1
0.05 www.solarwerksllc.com
389
Solar Sale USA
Atlanta
GA 2010
10
0.5
0.05 www.solarsaleusa.com
390
Harvest Solar and Wind Power
Tulsa
OK 2002
3
0.4
0.05 www.harvestsolar.net
391
Entech Electronics
Dallas
TX 1996
14
392
Bella Solar
Jupiter
FL 2007
5
393
Excel Earth Energy
Long Beach
NY 2013
2
0.057 0.049 excelearthenergy.com
394
Evergreen Sun Power
Littleton
CO 2009
2
0.255 0.047 evergreensunpower.com
395
Solar States
Philadelphia
PA 2008
7
0.2
0.04 www.solar-states.com
396
Get Me Solar
Upland
CA 2004
40
87
0.032 getmesolar.com
397
Abbott Electric
Denton
TX 2007
4
0.792 0.032 www.solarenergydallas.com
398
Pennsylvania Solar Energy
Canonsburg
PA 1999
5
0.51 0.032 www.pennsolarenergy.com
399
Ocean Solar
Northfield
NJ 2011
1
0.5
0.03 www.oceansolarllc.com
400
Sunnyside Solar
Louisville
CO 2008
5
0.2
0.03 sunnysidesolarcolorado.com
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
0.08 www.sundollarenergy.com
0.075 solartronicsinc.com
0.135 0.05 www.entechel.com 0.1
0.05 bplsolar.com
CONNECT
Connect and discuss this and other solar issues with thousands of professionals online
WITH US!
TWEET #Solar400
Top 400 list 7-14_Vs5SBKZ.indd 33
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7 • 2014
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OO
UTILITY TOP 25 UTILITY SOLAR CONTRACTORS
= EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013
34
1
First Solar
1 Tempe
AZ 1999 4850 2887
1130
2
NRG Energy
2 Princeton
NJ
1989 10000 1200
672
3
Rosendin Electric
3
San Jose
CA
1919
3500
478.844
383.41
4
CSI Electrical Contractors
5
Santa Fe Springs
CA
1990
750
378
260
5
Strata Solar
6
Chapel Hill
NC
2009
110
300
200
6
E Light Wind and Solar
7 Englewood
CO 1998 298 456.8 189
7
AMEC
8 Atlanta
GA 1946 27000 250
187
8
Mortenson Construction
9 Minneapolis
MN 1954 2400 522
185.8
9
Signal Energy Constructors
10 Chattanooga
TN 2005 85
360.6
132.7
10
Swinerton Renewable Energy
11
San Francisco
CA
1888
1700
339
102
11
Cupertino Electric
12
San Jose
CA
1954
1800
800
100
12
Moss Solar
13
Ft Lauderdale
FL
2004
400
268.89
99.8
13
Arraycon
15 Sacramento
CA 2009 47
193
75
14
Infrastructure & Energy Alternatives (IEA)
16 Westchester
IL 2011 900 400
71
15
Sunstall
18 Novato
CA 2011 27
108
52
16
Quanta Power Generation
20
Greenwood Village
CO
2008
650
344.193
42.793
17
Helix Electric
21
San Diego
CA
1985
1500
104.8
41
18
S&C Electric Company
23 Chicago
IL 1911 2500 69.2
34.2
19
Inovateus Solar
26
IN
28.35
20
Helios Developments
27 Sudbury
ON 2011 120 42
21
FLS Energy
30 Asheville
NC 2006 45
47.455 24.718
22
AUI Contractors
32
Fort Worth
TX
1983
325
94
23
23
McCarthy Building Companies
33
St. Louis
MO
1864
1600
72
23
24
DKD Electric
35 Albuquerque
NM 1978 117 63.5
21.5
25
JE Dunn Construction
42
MO
16.7
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Utility list/feature 7-14_Vs8FINAL.indd 34
7 • 2014
South Bend
Kansas City
2008
1924
27
2650
126.35
42.7
26
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/25/14 10:51 AM
OO No. 5 in Top Utility Contractors (No. 6 Overall)
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
Strata Solar, Chapel Hill, N.C. “We all truly enjoy what we do. We love working with the landowners and their communities to bring solar projects to life. We are obsessive over every detail as we give shape to a farm on the drafting table and evolve it through the design and development process. Our procurement team supplies endless creative solutions to the logistical complexities of building concurrent projects. Our project managers are endlessly resourceful as they keep everything on budget and on time. Our business team pulls our final projects together to find the right financing solutions and partnerships. And we have a small army of men and women who proudly build our farms, knowing that they are building a quality product that will generate clean energy with no fuel costs for decades to come. I honestly look forward to getting into work every single day. ” — Markus Wilhelm, CEO, Strata Solar
300 200 110* 2009
Total MW Installed
MW Installed in 2013
Employees
Year Founded
* 110 in headquarters; more than 1,500 construction contractors in the field
STRATA SOLAR is a turn-key solar provider. With nearly 350 MW installed and more than a gigawatt under development, Strata’s mission is to make a difference by developing cost efficient alternatives to traditional energy sources and providing its clients with high quality service and support. It values its employees first and foremost. It is fully committed to ensuring a safe and superior work environment, providing skills training and career opportunities to its staff.
MoMMy, do we have free hot water? Sun Bandit® is a revolutionary new hybrid energy system that makes choosing, installing and enjoying a solar water heating system more practical and affordable than ever before. This innovative new patent pending technology creates a cleaner, quieter, more comfortable living environment that is a great choice for homeowners and an even better choice for your business. Visit sunbandit.us to learn more. Solar Hybrid Energy Systems • Patent(s) Pending
SunBandit® is a registered trademark of Next Generation Energy® © 2013 Next Generation Energy® All rights reserved
Utility list/feature 7-14_Vs8FINAL.indd 35
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OO
COMMERCIAL TOP 100 COMMERCIAL SOLAR CONTRACTORS INDUSTRIAL, GOVERNMENT
= EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013
36
1
Gehrlicher Solar America Corp.
14 Springfield
NJ 2010 50
115
80
2
M Bar C Construction
19
San Marcos
CA
2005
65
158
44
3
Borrego Solar Systems
22
San Diego
CA
1980
112
103.5
37.296
4
Cenergy Power
25 Carlsbad
CA 2008 42
68
30
5
Main Street Power Co.
29 Boulder
CO 2009 30
56.696 25.361
6
Radiance Solar
31 Atlanta
GA 2007 21
29.37
24.5
7
Resolute Performance Contracting
36 Tempe
AZ 2011 30
30.5
20.439
8
Cantsink Manufacturing
37 Lilburn
GA 1988 50
46
20
9
Wilson Electric
38 Tempe
AZ 1968 533 61.519 18.519
10
Nexamp
39 Boston
MA 2007 38
42
18
11
REC Solar
40
San Luis Obispo
CA
1997
140
104.453
17.885
12
Tecta Solar
41
Fort Washington
PA
2000
2,147
72.435
17.435
13
Amberjack Solar Energy
43 Oakland
NJ 2009 70
36
16
14
Solar Design Tech
44 Ogden
UT 1996 14
27.9
15.4
15
Energy Systems & Installation (ESI)
47 Jonestown
PA 2008 62
23.4
13.7
16
BITHENERGY
49 Baltimore
MD 2009 17
22
13.3
17
Ray Angelini
50 Sewell
NJ 1974 300 113
13
18
Hannah Solar
51 Atlanta
GA 2008 23
26.9
13
19
Natural Power and Energy
52 Scottsdale
AZ 2008 7
23.176 12.815
20
Advanced Green Technologies
53
FL
86.771
12.771
21
Renewable Assets
57 Trenton
NJ 2009 32
30
12
22
U.S. Light Energy
58 Latham
NY 2009 65
32
11
23
Standard Solar
59 Rockville
MD 2004 58
33.994 10.589
24
Beaumont Solar
61
New Bedford
MA
2006
50
24.5
10.2
25
Solar Electrical Systems
62
Westlake Village
CA
1981
20
106
10
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Commercial list/feature 7-14_Vs8FINAL.indd 36
7 • 2014
Fort Lauderdale
2007
25
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/25/14 11:10 AM
Synapse 7-14.indd 5
7/25/14 11:33 AM
OO TOP 100 COMMERCIAL SOLAR CONTRACTORS CONTINUED No. 3 in Top Commercial Contractors (No. 22 Overall)
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
Borrego Solar Systems, San Diego
"Over the 12 years I've been in this industry, solar has consistently outperformed virtually everyone's expectations and projections on all fronts. Capacity growth, cost reductions, employment growth and efficiency gains have all happened faster than I or most others could imagine. It is now to the point where it is inevitable that fossil fuels will play second fiddle to renewable energy, and it's now just a question of how fast we can make it happen." — Mike Hall, Chief Executive Officer
103.5 37.3 112 1980 Total MW Installed
MW Installed in 2013
Employees
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: SunLink, TerraSmart (Racking & Mounting), Yingli, LG (Panels), Advanced Energy, SMA America (Inverters), AlsoEnergy (Monitoring)
= EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
BORREGO SOLAR offers a complete range of solar energy services to commercial and public-sector customers across the United States. With more than 30 years of experience and a dedicated research team, the company handles every aspect of mid to large and utility-scale solar power installations from financing, technology evaluation, engineering, design, construction, monitoring and ongoing operations and maintenance. With its strengths as a traditional EPC firm, Borrego Solar values efficiency and reliability when it comes to its custom solar solutions. It has successfully installed more than 1,000 non-residential solar energy solutions and developed the expertise and analytical tools needed to accurately predict system production and financial payback. It combines this methodology with integrated solar financing solutions (power purchase agreements, operating leases, property-assessed clean-energy loans, bonds, etc.) and a sophisticated approach to technology procurement, ensuring that its PV solutions deliver the greatest possible ROI.
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013
38
26
Sunetric
63 Kailua
HI 2004 100 67
10
27
Inman Solar
64 Atlanta
GA 2008 14
20
10
28
Pure Power Systems
66 Hoboken
NJ 2011 40
13.237 9.776
29
Shorebreak Energy Developers
69 Irvine
CA 2010 55
25
9
30
Renewable Energy Massachusetts
73 Cambridge
MA 2009 2
8.5
8.5
31
Stellar Energy GP
75
CA
30
8
32
SolBright Renewable Energy
76 Charleston
SC 2009 5
13.24
7.39
33
National Renewable Energy Corp.
79 Charlotte
NC 2009 15
15.5
6.5
34
Volta Solar (formerly Your Energy Source)
80
CA
56.523
6.157
35
Oak Leaf Energy Partners
83 Denver
CO 2006 3
51
6
36
Harmon Electric
84 Phoenix
AZ 1975 125 16.6
6
37
OnForce Solar
85
NY
6
38
Baja Construction
86 Martinez
CA 1981 125 12
6
39
SunSmart Technologies
87 Gladstone
MO 2012 27
11
6
40
Alliance Energy & Mechanical
88 Temecula
CA 2006 64
10
6
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Commercial list/feature 7-14_Vs8FINAL.indd 38
7 • 2014
Rohnert Park
Rancho Cordova
New York City
2006
1989
2008
30
40
75
16
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/25/14 11:10 AM
4683 Solar PW (US) FP Ad 229x276
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SOLAR
Part of
SeaWard Solar 7-13.indd 23
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OO TOP 100 COMMERCIAL SOLAR CONTRACTORS CONTINUED = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 41
Lumos Solar
89 Boulder
CO 2006 50
6
42
Solect Energy Development
90 Hopkinton
MA 2009 24
11.5
5.7
43
SPG Solar
93 Petaluma
CA 2001 72
100.58 5.505
44
GeoPeak Energy
94 Somerset
NJ 2009 50
36
5.5
45
Blue Oak Energy
98 Davis
CA 2003 50
25
5
46
Monolith Solar Associates
101 Rensselaer
NY 2009 52
16.6
4.8
47
EnterSolar
102
NY
11.2
4.16
48
Independent Energy Solutions
103 Vista
CA 1998 25
15
4.14
49
Solar Liberty Energy Systems
104 Buffalo
NY 2003 30
16.696 4.1
50
Solar United Network (SUNworks)
105 Roseville
CA 2010 70
25
4
51
Freedom Solar Power
106 Austin
TX 2007 33
11
4
52
Microgrid Solar
107
MO
9
4
53
Hamilton Solar
110 Reno
NV 2009 50
16.5
3.7
54
PermaCity Solar (PermaCity Construction)
112
Los Angeles
CA
2003
15
32
3.5
55
Newport Power
114
San Clemente
CA
2008
9
9
3.5
56
Alder Energy Systems
116 Charleston
SC 2012 6
3.5
3.25
57
Solular
117 Marlton
NJ 2009 10
12
3.2
58
Vista Solar
119
CA
6.847
3.189
59
MB Herzog Electric
122 Paramount
CA 1978 140 20.17
3.017
60
Sun Light & Power
123
Berkeley
CA
1976
63
23
3
61
Independence Solar
124
Cherry Hill
NJ
2007
6
15
3
62
Compass Solar Energy
127 Pensacola
FL 1998 35
6.3
3
63
Solis Partners
130
NJ
11.995
2.9
64
O3 Energy Solutions
134 Dallas
TX 2011 4
4.1
2.7
65
Axium Solar
137 Plano
TX 2008 35
7.209
2.509
66
Folium Energy Development
140 Addison
TX 2010 5
5
2.5
67
Paradise Energy Solutions
149 Gap
PA 2009 30
8
2.24
68
North State Solar Energy
150
Forest Ranch
CA
2002
20
6
2.2
69
Mountain View Solar
153
Berkeley Springs
WV
2009
23
4.745
2.197
70
GEM Energy
154 Walbridge
OH 1955 1200 11.155 2.153
71
Air Wind & Solar
155 Stephenville
TX 2010 27
7.62
2.1
72
Border Solar
156
TX
3.935
2.047
73
Bella Energy
157 Louisville
CO 2005 14
11.514 2.009
74
Meridian Solar
158 Austin
TX 1999 25
40
2
75
LightWave Solar
160
TN
8
2
4 0 SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7 • 2014
New York
St. Louis
Santa Clara
Sea Girt
El Paso
Antioch
2006
2009
2008
2009
2008
2006
15
72
20
15
12
32
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/25/14 11:11 AM
OO TOP 100 COMMERCIAL SOLAR CONTRACTORS CONTINUED Borrego Solar Systems, San Diego
= EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
No. 3 in Top Commercial Contractors (No. 22 Overall)
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 76
Berkowatts Electric
162 Lakewood
NJ 2009 24
6
2
77
Photonworks Engineering
170 Honolulu
HI 2009 40
6
1.783
78
Empire Renewable Energy (Empire Southwest)
172 Phoenix
AZ 1950 1600 17.3
1.7
79
Clark EcoEnergy
174 Lancaster
PA 2010 4
3.5
1.7
80
Solar Impact
177 Gainesville
FL 2007 9
9.005
1.665
81
Alternative Energy Services
180 Titusville
FL 2007 15
3.25
1.545
82
SunGreen Systems
181 Irwindale
CA 2008 9
3.155
1.545
83
Solar Choice Solutions
182
Westlake Village
CA
2007
35
21.5
1.5
84
Douglass Colony Group
184
Commerce City
CO
1947
500
5
1.5
85
Harvest Energy Solutions
189 Jackson
MI 2006 23
4.1
1.35
86
Solar Electric Power Company (SEPCO)
191 Stuart
FL 1994 10
6.644
1.3
87
Spectrum Energy Development
193
CA
8.5
1.25
88
Sunvalley Solar
194 Walnut
CA 2007 15
3.755
1.202
89
Power Production Management
196 Gainesville
FL 2009 25
2.4
1.2
90
SunRenu Solar
197 Scottsdale
AZ 2008 18
2.2
1.2
91
Black Rock Solar
199 Reno
NV 2007 27
4.14
1.185
92
RER Energy Group
202 Reading
PA 2009 15
7.1
1.1
93
CB Solar
203 Ankeny
IA 2013 14
1.7
1.1
94
Efficient Energy of Tennessee
205 Knoxville
TN 2009 13
10
1
95
Got Electric
206 Gaithersburg
MD 2006 10
10
1
96
Energy Conservation Services
207 Gainesville
FL 1977 10
4
1
97
Davis Hill Development
209
NY
3
1
98
German Solar Corporation
212 London
ON 2009 10
2.6
1
99
Casey Electric
213
IN
2.5
1
100
German Energy Alternatives
214 London
2.5
1
Elk Grove
Port Chester Tell City
2010 2000
12
3 10
ON 2003 28
Commercial list/feature 7-14_Vs8FINAL.indd 41
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7 • 2014
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41
7/25/14 11:11 AM
OO
RESIDENTIAL TOP 100 RESIDENTIAL SOLAR CONTRACTORS
= EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013
42
1
SolarCity
2
Vivint Solar
17 Provo
UT 2011 1600 99.053 58.26
3
RGS Energy
24 Louisville
CO 1978 300 235
31
4
Verengo
28 Torrance
CA 2008 1050 61.2
25.4
5
Trinity Solar
34 Wall
NJ 1994 251 93.886 22.038
6
Alternate Energy
45 Honolulu
HI 1993 60
267.856 14.689
7
Solar Universe
46 Livermore
CA 2008 93
37
8
NRG Home Solar
48 Wall
NJ 2010 503 29
13.5
9
Bland Solar & Air
55 Bakersfield
CA 1985 35
48
12
10
Fun In The Sun Solar
56 Orlando
FL 1998 33
42
12
11
KDH Solar
60
LA
13.964
10.452
12
RevoluSun
65 Honolulu
HI 2009 25
45
9.8
13
Solar CenTex
67
TX
18.6
9.6
14
Hawaii Energy Connection
68 Aiea
HI 2007 90
26
9.276
15
American Solar Direct
71
CA
17.084
8.99
16
Summerwind Solar
72 Phoenix
AZ 2009 60
25
8.5
17
Smart Energy Solar
74 Corona
CA 2005 120 8.32
8.32
18
Solar Energy World
77 Elkridge
MD 2009 45
7
19
Haleakala Solar
78 Kahului
HI 1977 148 54.652 6.652
20
Solar Source
81 Largo
FL 1984 45
83.716 6.118
21
Sunline Energy
82
CA
6.4
22
Baker Electric Solar
91 Escondido
CA 2007 79
26.549 5.608
23
A1 Solar Power
92
CA
37
5.6
24
Namasté Solar
95 Boulder
CO 2005 65
25
5.5
25
Sun Valley Solar Solutions
96 Chandler
AZ 2006 85
20.575 5.377
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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4
7 • 2014
San Mateo
New Orleans Harker Heights Los Angeles
San Diego Van Nuys
CA
2006
2006 2012 2009
2011 1986
5000
5 8 436
32 115
567
16
280
14
6.1
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Moxa Inc.
Tel: +886 2 8919 1230
Moxa 1-14.indd 24
info@moxa.com
www.moxa.com
Reliable Networks
Sincere Service
7/25/14 11:40 AM
OO TOP 100 RESIDENTIAL SOLAR CONTRACTORS CONTINUED No. 7 in Top Residential Contractors (No. 46 Overall)
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
Solar Universe, Livermore, Calif.
"We have been growing at a tremendous rate – a fun and daunting challenge. We partner with local businesses and allow them to use our platform as part of our strategy. We want to continue to be known as the best company to partner with for installers interested in growing their access to consumers." — Joe Miller, EVP of Channel Sales, Solar Universe
37
Total MW Installed
14 93 2008
MW Installed in 2013
Employees
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: IronRidge (Racking & Mounting), Hanwha, Yingli (Panels), Enphase, SMA America (Inverters), 1 Tron (Monitoring)
= EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
SOLAR UNIVERSE has been providing solar to neighborhoods across the country since 2008 through its locally owned and operated franchise network. Solar Universe’s goal is to provide an easy choice to customers for better, more affordable power. This allows customers to invest savings on things that really matter, such as a college fund for their kids, taking an extra vacation or paying down their mortgage.
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 26
Sullivan Solar Power
97
San Diego
CA
2004
100
19.685
5.194
27
GCI Solar
99
Huntington Beach
CA
1986
150
15
5
28
The Solar Company
100
Castro Valley
CA
2004
170
12.845
4.933
29
Sun Solar Energy Solutions
109 Bakersfield
CA 2008 38
7.12
3.811
30
GRID Alternatives
111 Oakland
CA 2001 140 14.899 3.591
31
Stellar Solar
113
CA
32
Native
115 Austin
33
Solar Alliance of America
118
34
Fidelity Home Energy
120
35
American Electric Co.
121 Honolulu
HI 1946 150 9.4
3.1
36
SunHarvest Solar
125 Phoenix
AZ 2009 12
10
3
37
Planet Solar Incorporated
126
CA
9
3
38
Puget Sound Solar
128 Seattle
WA 2001 32
3.25
3
39
Ross Solar Group
129 Danbury
CT 2007 26
14.5
2.9
40
SUNation Solar Systems
131 Oakdale
NY 2003 40
9.914
2.742
4 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7 • 2014
San Diego
14
3.5
TX 2007 63
8.46
3.46
San Diego
CA
2009
44
8
3.2
San Diego
CA
1991
150
12.861
3.134
Santa Barbara
1998
2008
49
53
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â„¢
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OO TOP 100 RESIDENTIAL SOLAR CONTRACTORS CONTINUED = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 41
Smalley Heating & Cooling
132 Topeka
KS 1996 2
42
Horizon Solar Power
133 Hemet
CA 1998 182 7.36
2.7
43
Third Sun Solar
135 Athens
OH 2000 19
8.402
2.609
44
Clean Energy Collective
136 Boulder
CO 2009 60
5.34
2.57
45
Stealth Solar
138 Phoenix
AZ 2010 48
9.75
2.5
46
Joule Energy
139
LA
7.5
2.5
47
The Boston Solar Company
141 Woburn
MA 2011 85
3.1
2.5
48
EmPower Solar
142
NY
9.411
2.423
49
SunVest Solar
143 Pewaukee
WI 2009 6
5
2.373
50
ADR Solar Solutions
144
CA
16.38
2.35
51
Herca Solar
145 Oceanside
CA 2004 35
12
2.3
52
Missouri Sun Solar
146 Houston
MO 2012 42
4.3
2.3
53
Planet Earth Solar
147
CA
3.364
2.264
54
ReVision Energy
148 Portland
ME 2003 65
7
2.25
55
Revolve Solar
151 Austin
TX 2012 100 3
2.2
56
Enchanted Solar
152 Albuquerque
NM 2011 10
2.83
2.2
57
Hudson Solar
159 Rhinebeck
NY 2002 45
8.5
2
58
Positive Energy Solar
161
NM
7
2
59
Everyday Energy
163 Carlsbad
CA 2009 28
6
2
60
NRG Clean Power
164
Canoga Park
CA
1989
80
6
2
61
McWire Electric
165
El Cajon
CA
1999
47
5.6
2
62
Milholland Electric
166
San Diego
CA
1990
40
5
2
63
South Coast Solar
167
New Orleans
LA
2008
30
8
1.999
64
Solar-Fit
168
Holly Hill
FL
1975
22
6.6
1.9
65
Texas Solar Outfitters
171 Houston
TX 2010 17
2.24
1.74
66
Arise Solar
173 Clovis
CA 2007 55
4.8
1.7
67
Renova Solar
175
CA
3.5
1.7
68
Longhorn Solar
176 Austin
TX 2009 51
3.195
1.676
69
Nova West Solar
178 Fresno
CA 2005 20
5.75
1.64
70
Clean Solar
179
CA
3.934
1.606
71
Southern Energy Management
183 Morrisville
NC 2001 48
20
1.5
72
Hawaii Energy Smart
185 Maui
HI 2009 8
4.5
1.5
73
Second Generation Energy
186 Hopedale
MA 2008 6
3
1.5
74
EPCON Solar
187 Phoenix
AZ 2008 50
1.686
1.385
75
PEP Solar
188 Phoenix
AZ 1978 15
12
1.384
4 6 SOLAR POWER WORLD
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New Orleans Island Park Los Angeles
San Clemente
Santa Fe
Palm Desert
San Jose
2010 2003 1994
2012
1997
2006
2007
50 56 20
8
58
56
44
16.905 2.7
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OO TOP 100 RESIDENTIAL SOLAR CONTRACTORS CONTINUED Solar Universe, Livermore, Calif.
= EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
No. 7 in Top Residential Contractors (No. 46 Overall)
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 76
SunFusion Solar Electric
190
77
Bonterra Solar
192 Honolulu
78
Grasshopper Solar
198
79
Central California Solar
200 Tulare
80
Independent Power Systems
81
San Diego
7.28
1.3
HI 2009 20
4.8
1.3
Canada 2009
1.75
1.2
CA 2009 19
1.805
1.155
201 Boulder
CO 1996 25
9
1.1
Solare Energy
204
CA
2.68
1.018
82
Pinnacle Exteriors
208 Allentown
PA 2010 10
3.7
1
83
Fafco Solar
210
FL
3
1
84
Progressive Power Solutions
211 Orem
UT 2006 13
3
1
85
Alpenglow Solar
217
UT
2
1
86
COST LE$$ Energy
219 Yakima
WA 1979 11
1.225
1
87
Honeycomb Solar
220 Pittsburgh
PA 2012 4
1
1
88
Staten Island Renewable Energy
221
NY
1
1
89
Built Well Solar
223 Wantagh
NY 2001 15
6
0.98
90
21st Century Power Solutions
224 Catonsville
MD 2009 18
3
0.9
91
Lifestyle Solar
227 Fresno
CA 2008 40
4
0.85
92
Magic Sun Solar
228 Loomis
CA 2010 10
1.8
0.85
93
New York State Solar Farm
230 Gardiner
NY 2006 15
1.233
0.803
94
Palomar Solar
232 Escondido
CA 2009 12
1.9
0.8
95
Ultra Solar & Wind Solutions
234
MD
1
0.765
96
New England Clean Energy
235 Hudson
MA 2006 19
2.52
0.739
97
Artisan Electric
236 Seattle
WA 2007 30
1.2
0.735
98
Mass Renewables
237 Bellingham
MA 2009 4
2.4
0.72
99
Plan It Solar
241
CA
0.78
0.672
100
Gunn Solar Energy Systems (Gunn Electric) 242 Pineville
0.72
0.654
Toronto
San Diego Cape Coral Park City
Staten Island
Ocean City
Grass Valley
CA
1989 1974 2010
2009
2009
2001
30 25
20 20 15
4
4
14
LA 1950 24
Residential list/feature 7-14_Vs7FINAL.indd 47
2010
7 • 2014
SOLAR POWER WORLD
47
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OO
EPCs
TOP 50 SOLAR EPCS
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
No. 20 in Top Solar EPCs (No. 31 Overall)
Radiance Solar, Atlanta
“We are pro-utilities. We challenge them to shift their thinking two degrees to understand that solar is good for their business. No fuel risk and systems that last more than 25 years with minimal maintenance are a powerful addition to their portfolios.” — James Marlow, CEO, Radiance Solar
29.4 21*
24.5 2007
Total MW Installed
MW Installed in 2013
Employees
Year Founded
Founded in 2007, RADIANCE SOLAR specializes in turn-key solar power installations for residential, commercial, institutional and utility customers. The company also provides distinct services in system design and engineering, construction, as well as operations and maintenance, solar energy consulting and large-scale project development. Radiance Solar has completed more than 140 solar projects including the 20-MW Camilla Solar Park, the 1-MW Shaw rooftop project and the 1-MW Woodland, Dublin and Rocky Creek Solar Farms.
*with 70 project based employees in 2013
Preferred suppliers: Solar FlexRack, GameChange Racking (Racking & Mounting), Suniva, SunPower, Canadian Solar, Trina Solar (Panels), SMA, Advanced Energy (Inverters), SMA, Draker (Monitoring)
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 1
First Solar
1 Tempe
AZ 1999 4850 2887
1130
2
Rosendin Electric
3
San Jose
CA
1919
3500
478.844
383.41
3
Strata Solar
6
Chapel Hill
NC
2009
110
300
200
4
AMEC
8 Atlanta
GA 1946 27000 250
187
5
Mortenson Construction
9 Minneapolis
MN 1954 2400 522
185.8
6
Signal Energy Constructors
10 Chattanooga
TN 2005 85
360.6
132.7
7
Swinerton Renewable Energy
11
San Francisco
CA
1888
1700
339
102
8
Cupertino Electric
12
San Jose
CA
1954
1800
800
100
9
Moss Solar
13
Ft Lauderdale
FL
2004
400
268.89
99.8
10
Gehrlicher Solar America Corp
14 Springfield
NJ 2010 50
115
80
11
Arraycon
15 Sacramento
CA 2009 47
193
75
12
Infrastructure & Energy Alternatives (IEA)
16 Westchester
IL 2011 900 400
71
4 8 SOLAR POWER WORLD
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EPCs
OO
50
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 13
Vivint Solar
17 Provo
UT 2011 1600 99.053 58.26
14
Quanta Power Generation
20
Greenwood Village
CO
2008
650
344.193
42.793
15
Borrego Solar Systems
22
San Diego
CA
1980
112
103.5
37.296
16
S&C Electric Company
23 Chicago
IL 1911 2500 69.2
34.2
17
RGS Energy
24 Louisville
CO 1978 300 235
31
18
Cenergy Power
25 Carlsbad
CA 2008 42
68
30
19
Inovateus Solar
26
IN
126.35
28.35
20
Radiance Solar
31 Atlanta
GA 2007 21
29.37
24.5
21
McCarthy Building Companies
33
MO
72
23
22
Trinity Solar
34 Wall
NJ 1994 251 93.886 22.038
23
Tecta Solar
41
PA
24
Amberjack Solar Energy
43 Oakland
25
Energy Systems & Installation (ESI)
26
South Bend St. Louis
1864
1600
17.435
NJ 2009 70
36
16
47 Jonestown
PA 2008 62
23.4
13.7
Ray Angelini
50 Sewell
NJ 1974 300 113
13
27
Hannah Solar
51 Atlanta
GA 2008 23
26.9
13
28
Natural Power and Energy
52 Scottsdale
AZ 2008 7
23.176 12.815
29
Advanced Green Technologies
53
FL
86.771
12.771
30
Renewable Assets
57 Trenton
NJ 2009 32
30
12
31
Standard Solar
59 Rockville
MD 2004 58
33.994 10.589
32
Sunetric
63 Kailua
HI 2004 100 67
10
33
Inman Solar
64 Atlanta
GA 2008 14
20
10
34
Hawaii Energy Connection
68 Aiea
HI 2007 90
26
9.276
35
NOVA Consultants
70 Novi
MI 1992 35
17
9
36
Stellar Energy GP
75
CA
30
8
37
SolBright Renewable Energy
76 Charleston
SC 2009 5
13.24
7.39
38
Haleakala Solar
78 Kahului
HI 1977 148 54.652 6.652
39
National Renewable Energy Corporation
79 Charlotte
NC 2009 15
15.5
6.5
40
Volta Solar (formerly Your Energy Source)
80
CA
56.523
6.157
41
Solar Source
81 Largo
FL 1984 45
42
Harmon Electric
84 Phoenix
AZ 1975 125 16.6
6
43
OnForce Solar
85
NY
16
6
44
SunSmart Technologies
87 Gladstone
MO 2012 27
11
6
45
Lumos Solar
89 Boulder
CO 2006 50
6
46
Solect Energy Development
90 Hopkinton
MA 2009 24
11.5
5.7
47
Baker Electric Solar
91 Escondido
CA 2007 79
26.549 5.608
48
SPG Solar
93 Petaluma
CA 2001 72
100.58 5.505
49
GeoPeak Energy
94 Somerset
NJ 2009 50
36
5.5
50
Namasté Solar
95 Boulder
CO 2005 65
25
5.5
EPC list/feature 7-14_Vs7FINAL.indd 50
7 • 2014
Fort Lauderdale
Rohnert Park
Rancho Cordova
New York
2000
27
72.435
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Fort Washington
2008
2007
2006
1989
2008
2,147
25
30
40
75
83.716 6.118
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/25/14 12:06 PM
Multi-Contact PV Connector Solutions www.multi-contact-usa.com
Solarline Connectors for Renewable Energy
MC4
/% '81
MC4 stands for Multi-Contact ø 4 mm Connector Multi-Contact’s MC4 photovoltaic connectors are the global industry standard and can be found on more PV modules than any other connector system in the world. The MC4 is now rated up to 1000 V UL, 1500 V TÜV safety class 0 CPF KU CXCKNCDNG HQT VJTQWIJ #9) ECDNG EQPƂIWTCVKQPU /% '81 KU HWNN[ EQORCVKDNG YKVJ QWT /% EQPPGEVQTU and is the only solution rated at 1500 V TÜV safety class II. Multi-Contact’s patented connector technology is charCEVGTK\GF D[ NQY EQPVCEV TGUKUVCPEG WPTKXCNGF NQPI VGTO TGNKCDKNKV[ CPF RTQXGP KP ƂGNF RGTHQTOCPEG HQT VJG GZRGEVGF life of PV systems. For safety and compliance, MC4 connectors do not cross-mate with connectors from other manufacturers. Rely on the original! Contact us today! WUC"OWNVK EQPVCEV EQO YYY OE RX RQTVCN EQO Visit us at: Intersolar North America July 8–10, 2014 San Francisco, CA Booth # 8611
Advanced Contact Technology
Multi Contact7-14.indd 5
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OO
CONSTRUCTION FEATURED CONTRACTOR
No. 13 in Top Construction Firms (No. 86 Overall)
Baja Construction, Martinez, Calif.
“The success of our company is based on flexibility in our product line and construction methods. This has allowed us to take a leading role in the development of our niche in the market. We foresee an increased share of the market due to our ability to adapt quickly to changes in the solar industry, even though we may be doing something entirely different in five years.” — Robert Hayworth, CEO of Baja Construction
TOP 50 CONSTRUCTION FIRMS
BAJA CONSTRUCTION is a highly specialized construction company committed to approaching a solar job in a manner that will deliver all-around results — designing and engineering steel structures, with a proven track record of execution, and PV optimization. Whether the roof of a shade structure is comprised of solar panels or roofing material, Baja Construction employs experts in designing, engineering, supplying and installing the most cost-effective solar shade structures to meet design, engineering and budgetary needs.
12
Total MW Installed
6
MW Installed in 2013
125 1981 Employees
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: Baja Solar Support System (Racking & Mounting)
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013
52
1
Sunstall
18 Novato
CA 2011 27
108
52
2
M Bar C Construction
19
San Marcos
CA
2005
65
158
44
3
Helix Electric
21
San Diego
CA
1985
1500
104.8
41
4
Helios Developments
27 Sudbury
ON 2011 120 42
26
5
AUI Contractors
32
TX
94
23
6
Resolute Performance Contracting
36 Tempe
AZ 2011 30
30.5
20.439
7
Cantsink Manufacturing
37 Lilburn
GA 1988 50
46
20
8
Wilson Electric
38 Tempe
AZ 1968 533 61.519 18.519
9
JE Dunn Construction
42
Kansas City
MO
1924
2650
42.7
16.7
10
Solar Electrical Systems
62
Westlake Village
CA
1981
20
106
10
11
Pure Power Systems
66 Hoboken
NJ 2011 40
13.237 9.776
12
Sunline Energy
82
CA
6.4
13
Baja Construction
86 Martinez
14
Independent Energy Solutions
15
Fort Worth
San Diego
1983
2011
325
32
6.1
CA 1981 125 12
6
103 Vista
CA 1998 25
15
4.14
Planet Solar
126
Santa Barbara
CA
2008
53
9
3
16
North State Solar Energy
150
Forest Ranch
CA
2002
20
6
2.2
17
Enchanted Solar
152 Albuquerque
2.83
2.2
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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CONSTRUCTION
TOP 50 CONSTRUCTION FIRMS
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 18
Photonworks Engineering
170 Honolulu
HI 2009 40
6
1.783
19
Second Generation Energy
186 Hopedale
MA 2008 6
3
1.5
20
CB Solar
203 Ankeny
IA 2013 14
1.7
1.1
21
German Energy Alternatives
214 London
ON 2003 28
2.5
1
22
Solar Energy Management
218 Tampa
FL 2008 15
2
1
23
Staten Island Renewable Energy
221
Staten Island
NY
2009
4
1
1
24
Zia Suns Green Construction Co.
222
Las Cruces
NM
2014
8
1
1
25
21st Century Power Solutions
224 Catonsville
MD 2009 18
3
0.9
26
Scudder Solar
225 Marina
CA 2007 17
2.215
0.89
27
Magic Sun Solar
228 Loomis
CA 2010 10
1.8
0.85
28
Mass Renewables
237 Bellingham
MA 2009 4
2.4
0.72
29
Plan It Solar
241
CA
0.78
0.672
30
Mr. Sun Solar
247 Portland
OR 1980 10
2.6
0.6
31
Altenergy
248 Charlottesville
VA 2005 14
2.1
0.6
32
NW Wind & Solar
249 Seattle
WA 1972 110 2
0.6
33
Creative Energies
270 Lander
WY 2000 12
3.5
0.455
34
Florida Power Services
279 Tampa
FL 2008 4
3.4
0.4
35
Green Earth Solar
286 Knoxville
TN 2009 8
1.45
0.375
36
Whidbey Sun & Wind
287 Coupeville
WA 2000 12
1.238
0.351
37
Peak Solar Designs
290 Salida
CO 2004 3
1
0.35
38
LuxLight Solar Energy
294 Lodi
CA 2001 10
0.6
0.336
39
STR Systems
299 Poughkeepsie
NY 2011 8
1.78
0.302
40
Barnes Solar
300 Irvine
CA 2010 9
2.4
0.3
41
Solora Solar
312 Yakima
WA 2011 3
0.5
0.26
42
GC SOLAR
316 Bellevue
WA 1992 6
1.8
0.25
43
SOLARgeneration
317 Woodstock
NY 2005 6
1.1
0.25
44
ES Electrical Construction
337 Penryn
CA 1998 5
0.52
0.195
45
Hyperion Energy Solutions
353 Bellville
OH 2012 3
1.49
0.142
46
Windsun Energy Systems
359 Carlsbad
CA 1980 12
3.5
0.12
47
Accelerate Solar
363 Charlotte
NC 2012 8
0.168
0.114
48
Energy Consultants Group
368 Anamosa
IA 2008 6
0.3
0.1
49
Solartronics
382
CA
0.35
0.075
50
Get Me Solar
396 Upland
87
0.032
Grass Valley
Thousand Oaks
2006
14
3
CA 2004 40
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DEVELOPERS FEATURED CONTRACTOR
No. 13 in Top Solar Developers (No. 69 Overall)
Shorebreak Energy Developers, Irvine, Calif.
“We objectively critique ourselves. Every day we ask the question: How can we be better? This includes every aspect of our business. The key is not to be afraid of the answers.” — David Firestone, Partner and Co-Founder
25
Total MW Installed
9
MW Installed in 2013
55 2010
Employees
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: Unirac (Racking & Mounting), SolarWorld (Panels), SMA America (Inverters), Draker (Monitoring)
TOP 50 SOLAR DEVELOPERS
Specializing in conceptualization, development and delivery of commercial solar energy projects, SHOREBREAK ENERGY DEVELOPERS has quickly grown as a provider of turn-key solar electric energy solutions. With an emphasis on customer satisfaction in the commercial, municipal and government sectors, Shorebreak seamlessly navigates the complex intricacies that comprise the needs of today’s commercial energy customers. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Shorebreak Energy Developers is a full-service provider of solar electric energy solutions, designing, financing, managing, delivering and maintaining quality turn-key systems. This ensures strict quality control before, during and after the installation of each project. Its staff includes engineers, design teams, a master electrician, project managers, rebate coordinators, installation and service technicians, sales professionals and an administrative support team. Shorebreak Energy Developers has rapidly become a source for quality products and installation, as well as for clients who are looking for the best financial opportunity for their projects. Shorebreak has in-depth expertise in complex energy rate analysis, local, state and federal renewable tax incentives and processing, and different rebates available for solar energy. In addition to the company’s in-house expertise and financing, Shorebreak has maintained close affiliations with key financial institutions and organizations to further provide complete solutions, ensuring its clients receive the best possible return on their clean energy investment. With more than 100 solar projects totaling more than 25 MW in its portfolio, the Shorebreak team is expanding its reputation for quality and customer satisfaction in the commercial solar industry.
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 1
NRG Energy
2
Main Street Power Company
29 Boulder
CO 2009 30
56.696 25.361
3
FLS Energy
30 Asheville
NC 2006 45
47.455 24.718
4
Nexamp
39 Boston
MA 2007 38
42
18
5
REC Solar
40
CA
104.453
17.885
6
Solar Design Tech
44 Ogden
UT 1996 14
27.9
15.4
7
Alternate Energy
45 Honolulu
HI 1993 60
267.856 14.689
5 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD
Developers list/feature 7-14_Vs7FINAL.indd 54
2 Princeton
7 • 2014
San Luis Obispo
NJ
1989 10000 1200
1997
140
672
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7/25/14 2:08 PM
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DEVELOPERS
TOP 50 SOLAR DEVELOPERS
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013
56
8
BITHENERGY
49 Baltimore
MD 2009 17
22
9
Hanwha Q CELLS USA
54 Irvine
CA 1999 59
131.228 12.668
10
U.S. Light Energy
58 Latham
NY 2009 65
32
11
11
Beaumont Solar
61
MA
24.5
10.2
12
RevoluSun
65 Honolulu
HI 2009 25
45
9.8
13
Shorebreak Energy Developers
69 Irvine
CA 2010 55
25
9
14
Renewable Energy Massachusetts
73 Cambridge
MA 2009 2
8.5
8.5
15
Oak Leaf Energy Partners
83 Denver
CO 2006 3
51
6
16
A1 Solar Power
92
Van Nuys
CA
1986
115
37
5.6
17
Sullivan Solar Power
97
San Diego
CA
2004
100
19.685
5.194
18
Monolith Solar Associates
101 Rensselaer
NY 2009 52
16.6
4.8
19
EnterSolar
102
NY
11.2
4.16
20
Alder Energy Systems
116 Charleston
SC 2012 6
3.5
3.25
21
Independence Solar
124
Cherry Hill
NJ
2007
6
15
3
22
Solis Partners
130
Sea Girt
NJ
2009
15
11.995
2.9
23
O3 Energy Solutions
134 Dallas
TX 2011 4
4.1
2.7
24
Clean Energy Collective
136 Boulder
CO 2009 60
5.34
2.57
25
Folium Energy Development
140 Addison
TX 2010 5
5
2.5
26
SunVest Solar
143 Pewaukee
WI 2009 6
5
2.373
27
Missouri Sun Solar
146 Houston
MO 2012 42
4.3
2.3
28
GEM Energy
154 Walbridge
OH 1955 1200 11.155 2.153
29
Sunvalley Solar
194 Walnut
CA 2007 15
3.755
1.202
30
RER Energy Group
202 Reading
PA 2009 15
7.1
1.1
31
Davis Hill Development
209
Port Chester
NY
2010
3
3
1
32
Convergence Energy
226
Lake Geneva
WI
2008
4
4.5
0.85
33
Spear Point Energy
229 Aspen
CO 2009 10
6.473
0.844
34
New York State Solar Farm
230 Gardiner
NY 2006 15
1.233
0.803
35
Fresco Solar
238
Morgan Hill
CA
2008
10
2
0.7
36
Carbon Vision
243
Shaker Heights
OH
2009
5
2.571
0.651
37
vis solis
245 Franklin
TN 2010 4
9.8
0.6
38
Kenergy Solar
250 Washington
DC 2009 12
1.45
0.6
39
Oak Electric
261 Waterford
MI 1999 40
2
0.5
40
El Paso Green Energies
277
CO
0.86
0.43
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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New Bedford
New York
Colorado Springs
2006
2006
2009
50
15
6
13.3
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DEVELOPERS
TOP 50 SOLAR DEVELOPERS
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 41
AA SOLAR
289 Danville
IL
42
Srinergy
296 Novi
43
A National Electric Service
314
44
Southern Light Solar
322
45
ARiES Energy
333 Knoxville
46
Texas Green Energy
339
47
Sundial Solar Power Development
358 Jackson
48
Clean Footprint
362
49
Maryland Solar Solutions
364
50
Mariner Energy Systems
371 Medina
Developers list/feature 7-14_Vs7FINAL.indd 57
1
0.35
MI 2010 6
1.3
0.325
Pompano Beach
FL
1999
6
3
0.25
New Bedford
MA
2013
6
0.4
0.25
TN 2011 15
0.5
0.2
TX
0.792
0.192
MS 2009 4
0.13
0.13
Cape Canaveral
FL
2012
10
0.117
0.117
Owings Mills
MD
2009
6
0.395
0.112
0.2
0.1
College Station
2008 10
2007
5
OH 2006 4
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OO
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTORS
TOP 25 ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTORS
No. 4 in Top Electrical Subcontractors (No. 88 Overall) Alliance Energy & Mechanical, Temecula, Calif.
“The best part of being a contractor in the energy industry is helping customers realize their potential energy savings, implementing the solution and then talking to them after their first utility bill. The expression and excitement our customers have is truly priceless.” — Don M. Bailey, CEO, Alliance Energy & Mechanical
10
Total MW Installed
6
MW Installed in 2013
64 2006
Employees
ALLIANCE ENERGY & MECHANICAL is one of California’s leading contracting companies providing services in the residential, commercial, industrial and public sectors. The company specializes in custom-designed solar-electric systems, turbines, CHP, HVAC, electrical and a variety of energy-efficient systems. Alliance Energy & Mechanical’s goal is to provide intelligently engineered solutions that produce maximum energy savings for clients while paying close attention to bottom line savings. With a highly experienced veteran team and a portfolio of hundreds of residential and commercial projects, the company is well equipped to handle any project. A three-decade combined presence in the industry has provided the company with the knowledge, experience and analytical tools to accurately design, engineer and predict system production and financial payback. Proven methods, combined with the integration of the latest cutting edge technologies, ensure the company’s systems deliver the greatest possible return on investment to customers. With offices centrally located in Southern California, Alliance Energy & Mechanical provides support to clients throughout the state of California, while also providing renewable energy consulting and design services to clients globally.
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: Everest, Schletter, Unirac, Pro Solar, DPW Solar, Zomeworks (Racking & Mounting), Innotech, Sharp, Canadian Solar, ReneSola, ET Solar, Suntech (Panels), Enphase, SMA America, PV Powered, SatCon, GE (Inverters), Deck, Enphase, Locus Energy, Draker (Monitoring)
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013
58
1
CSI Electrical Contractors
5
2
E Light Wind and Solar
7 Englewood
3
DKD Electric
35 Albuquerque
NM 1978 117 63.5
21.5
4
Alliance Energy & Mechanical
88 Temecula
CA 2006 64
6
5
MB Herzog Electric
122 Paramount
CA 1978 140 20.17
3.017
6
SunHarvest Solar
125 Phoenix
AZ 2009 12
10
3
7
Positive Energy Solar
161
NM
7
2
8
Berkowatts Electric
162 Lakewood
NJ 2009 24
6
2
9
McWire Electric
165
CA
5.6
2
10
EPCON Solar
187 Phoenix
1.686
1.385
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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Santa Fe Springs
Santa Fe El Cajon
CA
1990
750
378
260
CO 1998 298 456.8 189
1997 1999
58 47
AZ 2008 50
10
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TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 11
Solare Energy
204
12
Got Electric
206 Gaithersburg
13
Casey Electric
213
14
Gunn Solar Energy Systems (Gunn Electric)
242 Pineville
15
Current Electric Co
16
San Diego
2.68
1.018
MD 2006 10
10
1
IN
2.5
1
LA 1950 24
0.72
0.654
269 Brookfield
WI 1983 38
1.1
0.47
Simply Solar Of Maryland
281 Abingdon
MD 2009 6
1
0.4
17
Frontier Solar
291
San Jose
CA
2007
6
0.968
0.35
18
Hire Electric Solar
307
The Dalles
OR
1935
18
1.206
0.298
19
Electric Distribution & Design Systems
336 Garland
TX 1976 10
0.36
0.2
20
CalSun Electric & Solar Systems
338
CA
0.37
0.195
21
GenPro Energy Solutions
344 Piedmont
SD 2003 17
1
0.175
22
Wray Industries
355 Ellensburg
WA 1991 5
0.271
0.137
23
Millennium Solar Electric
367
Park Forest
IL
1999
5
0.8
0.1
24
Beehive Technical Services
374
Las Cruces
NM
1989
7
0.35
0.088
25
Entech Electronics
391 Dallas
0.135
0.05
Tell City
Paso Robles
CA
1989 2000
2010
20 10
3
TX 1996 14
ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTORS
OO
SINGLE SOURCE SOLAR MOUNTING SYSTEMS
.
DESIGN
.ENGINEERING
.MANUFACTURING
.INSTALLATION
CONTACT US RBI Solar, Inc. | 5513 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45217 | 513.242.2051 | info@rbisolar.com
US_JapanAD_2014.indd 1
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ROOFTOP FEATURED CONTRACTOR
No. 4 in Top Rooftop Contractors (No. 48 Overall)
NRG Home Solar, Wall, N.J.
“The solar industry, and in particular residential solar, has continued to see exponential growth throughout the country. Declining costs along with new finance structures, such as third party leasing, has been a key incentive for more homeowners to look to solar as a way to lower their energy bills. ” — Kelcy Pegler Jr., CEO, NRG Home Solar
TOP 100 ROOFTOP CONTRACTORS
NRG HOME SOLAR, formerly Roof Diagnostics Solar, is one of the country’s leading solar companies specializing in the installation of residential solar PV. NRG Home Solar designs, installs and maintains solar systems that help smart homeowners bring their homes into the future with cleaner, cheaper energy. The company is a division of NRG Energy and has offices throughout the United States. NRG Energy acquired Roof Diagnostics Solar in early 2014 to support and expand its efforts to empower its customers to control their own energy destiny through clean self-generation.
29 13.5 503 2010
Total MW Installed
MW Installed in 2013
Employees
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: Unirac (Racking & Mounting), LG (Panels), Enphase (Inverters), Locust (Monitoring)
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013
60
1
SolarCity
2
Verengo
28 Torrance
CA 2008 1050 61.2
25.4
3
Solar Universe
46 Livermore
CA 2008 93
14
4
NRG Home Solar
48 Wall
NJ 2010 503 29
13.5
5
Bland Solar & Air
55 Bakersfield
CA 1985 35
48
12
6
KDH Solar
60
New Orleans
LA
2006
5
13.964
10.452
7
Solar CenTex
67
Harker Heights
TX
2012
8
18.6
9.6
8
American Solar Direct
71
Los Angeles
CA
2009
436
17.084
8.99
9
Summerwind Solar
72 Phoenix
AZ 2009 60
25
8.5
0
Smart Energy Solar
74 Corona
CA 2005 120 8.32
8.32
11
Solar Energy World
77 Elkridge
MD 2009 45
16
7
12
GCI Solar
99
Huntington Beach
CA
1986
150
15
5
13
The Solar Company
100
Castro Valley
CA
2004
170
12.845
4.933
14
Sun Solar Energy Solutions
109 Bakersfield
CA 2008 38
7.12
3.811
15
PermaCity Solar (PermaCity Construction)
112
CA
32
3.5
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7 • 2014
San Mateo
Los Angeles
CA
2006
2003
5000
15
567 37
280
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ROOFTOP
OO TOP 100 ROOFTOP CONTRACTORS
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 16
Stellar Solar
113
17
Native
115 Austin
18
Solar Alliance of America
118
19
Fidelity Home Energy
120
20
Smalley Heating & Cooling
132 Topeka
KS 1996 2
21
Horizon Solar Power
133 Hemet
CA 1998 182 7.36
2.7
22
Stealth Solar
138 Phoenix
AZ 2010 48
9.75
2.5
23
EmPower Solar
142
Island Park
NY
2003
56
9.411
2.423
24
Planet Earth Solar
147
San Clemente
CA
2012
8
3.364
2.264
25
ReVision Energy
148 Portland
ME 2003 65
7
2.25
26
Revolve Solar
151 Austin
TX 2012 100 3
2.2
27
Hudson Solar
159 Rhinebeck
NY 2002 45
8.5
2
28
NRG Clean Power
164
Canoga Park
CA
1989
80
6
2
29
Milholland Electric
166
San Diego
CA
1990
40
5
2
30
South Coast Solar
167
New Orleans
LA
2008
30
8
1.999
31
Solar-Fit
168
Holly Hill
FL
1975
22
6.6
1.9
32
Texas Solar Outfitters
171 Houston
TX 2010 17
2.24
1.74
33
Arise Solar
173 Clovis
CA 2007 55
4.8
1.7
34
Renova Solar
175
CA
3.5
1.7
35
Longhorn Solar
176 Austin
TX 2009 51
3.195
1.676
36
Nova West Solar
178 Fresno
CA 2005 20
5.75
1.64
37
Clean Solar
179
CA
3.934
1.606
38
Southern Energy Management
183 Morrisville
NC 2001 48
20
1.5
39
Douglass Colony Group
184
CO
5
1.5
40
Hawaii Energy Smart
185 Maui
HI 2009 8
4.5
1.5
41
PEP Solar
188 Phoenix
AZ 1978 15
12
1.384
42
SunFusion Solar Electric
190
CA
7.28
1.3
43
Bonterra Solar
192 Honolulu
HI 2009 20
4.8
1.3
44
Pinnacle Exteriors
208 Allentown
PA 2010 10
3.7
1
45
Fafco Solar
210
FL
3
1
46
Progressive Power Solutions
211 Orem
UT 2006 13
3
1
47
Sunlight Solar Systems
215
UT
2.5
1
48
COST LE$$ Energy
219 Yakima
WA 1979 11
1.225
1
49
Honeycomb Solar
220 Pittsburgh
PA 2012 4
1
1
50
Built Well Solar
223 Wantagh
NY 2001 15
6
0.98
San Diego
14
3.5
TX 2007 63
8.46
3.46
San Diego
CA
2009
44
8
3.2
San Diego
CA
1991
150
12.861
3.134
Palm Desert
San Jose Commerce City
San Diego
Cape Coral Salt Lake City
CA
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1998
2006
2007 1947
2010
1974 2008
49
56
44 500
30
20 7
7 • 2014
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SOLAR POWER WORLD
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ROOFTOP
TOP 100 ROOFTOP CONTRACTORS
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013
62
51
Lifestyle Solar
227 Fresno
CA 2008 40
4
0.85
52
Palomar Solar
232 Escondido
CA 2009 12
1.9
0.8
53
New England Clean Energy
235 Hudson
MA 2006 19
2.52
0.739
54
Artisan Electric
236 Seattle
WA 2007 30
1.2
0.735
55
Earth Wind And Solar Energy
240 Chicago
IL
2008 10
1.2
0.69
56
SunCraft Solar
251 Poway
CA 2006 20
2.9
0.59
57
Solarponics
252 Atascadero
CA 1975 24
3.492
0.569
58
Energy Independent Solutions
254 Pittsburgh
PA 2008 13
2.35
0.553
59
New Day Solar
255 Murrieta
CA 2001 12
5.71
0.55
60
Epic Solar
256 Tracy
CA 2007 5
3.5
0.55
61
Robco Electric
257
Las Vegas
NV
1997
49
1.53
0.53
62
Atlasta Solar Center
258
Grand Junction
CO
1979
12
10
0.5
63
Maui Solar Project
259 Kahului
HI 2008 15
2
0.5
64
You Save Green
262 Albertson
NY 2010 15
2
0.5
65
SkyPower
265 Scottsdale
AZ 2006 15
1.5
0.5
66
Yes! Solar Solutions
267 Cary
NC 2009 14
0.75
0.5
67
Capital City Solar
271 Roseville
CA 2002 10
4
0.45
68
Cape Fear Solar Systems
275 Wilmington
NC 2007 12
1.125
0.45
69
Solar Trek
276 Ocala
FL 1981 18
2.6
0.445
70
Stellar Roofing & Solar
282
Wheat Ridge
CO
2008
9
0.9
0.4
71
Active Solar
284
San Juan Capistrano
CA
2008
7
1.145
0.377
72
Solar Odyssey
293 Stafford
TX 2012 8
0.55
0.35
73
Southface Solar Electric
295 Phoenix
AZ 2008 8
1.648
0.325
74
A1A Solar Contracting
298 Jacksonville
FL 2010 15
0.588
0.309
75
American Solar and Alternative Energies
301 Atlanta
GA 2008 15
2
0.3
76
2K Solar
302 Middletown
NY 2006 5
1.44
0.3
77
Appalachian Renewable Resources
303 Knoxville
TN 2010 1
1
0.3
78
EFS Energy
306
St. Louis
MO
2011
10
0.32
0.3
79
Skytech Solar
309
San Francisco
CA
2007
15
1.641
0.27
80
Sol-Up USA
310
Las Vegas
NV
2009
13
0.626
0.27
81
Yellowlite
313 Cleveland
OH 2009 6
0.601
0.252
82
Solar Sales of Michigan/Salvatore Contracting
319 Davison
MI 2001 8
0.72
0.25
83
Solar Watt Solutions
321 Carlsbad
CA 2009 12
0.4
0.25
84
CIR Electrical Construction
324 Buffalo
NY 1976 25
0.302
0.249
85
Mechanical Energy Systems
326 Canton
MI 1985 12
0.5
0.225
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 86
Go Solar Group
327
Salt Lake City
UT
2011
11
0.27
0.22
87
Barrus Solar
331
Long Beach
CA
2008
16
0.8
0.2
88
That Solar Guy
332 Murrieta
CA 2010 15
0.6
0.2
89
Green Conception
334 Burbank
CA 2011 10
0.5
0.2
90
Skyline Energy Savers
335
CA
0.4
0.2
91
Brightstar Solar
340 Marlborough
MA 2009 7
0.556
0.188
92
Earth Electric
341
CA
0.288
0.186
93
Southard Solar & Construction
342 Longmont
CO 1987 6
0.38
0.183
94
California Sun Systems
343
CA
0.713
0.178
95
SunWork Renewable Energy Projects
345 Milpitas
CA 2009 4
0.25
0.16
96
South Sound Solar
346 Olympia
WA 2008 13
0.6
0.15
97
Run on Sun
349 Pasadena
CA 2006 3
0.4
0.15
98
Abundant Energy
351 Jupiter
FL 1985 15
0.3
0.145
99
GleanPower
352 Denton
TX 2008 4
0.297
0.144
100
Michigan Solar & Wind Powered Solutions
354 Commerce
MI 2007 4
0.653
0.141
El Dorado Hills San Jose Los Angeles
1988 2009 2006
10 5 5
ROOFTOP
OO
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OFF-GRID
TOP 10 OFF-GRID SOLAR CONTRACTORS
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
No. 1 in Top Off-Grid Contractors (No. 108 Overall)
Sunstore Solar, Greer, S.C.
“I empower my team to grow and take ownership of their responsibilities and to focus on one thing, creating the gold standard of customer service. We aren’t a business of panels and power, we’re a business of people and purpose. At the end of the day, we’re not a technology company but a customer service company. I encourage my people to share their knowledge with anyone who can benefit from it, including our competition. Many of our former employees are working with companies that we team-up with on projects or work independently. We have a robust internship program to give access to young minds interested in pursuing a career in sustainability. “ — Bruce Wood, Owner, Sunstore Solar
SUNSTORE SOLAR is a family owned and operated business. Its founder, Bruce Wood, started the first solar company in Greenville, S.C., in 1976. Its services include installing grid-tied and off-grid solar electric systems, secure power systems, solar water heating, and offers design and consultation. Sunstore Solar values efficient, market-tested products and providing the expertise and ability to properly integrate them into homes and businesses statewide.
6
Total MW Installed
4
15 2007
MW Installed in 2013
Employees
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: Unirac (Racking & Mounting), SolarWorld, SunPower (Panels), SMA America (Inverters), SMA America (Monitoring)
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 1
Sunstore Solar
108 Greer
SC 2007 15
6
4
2
Solar Electric Power Company (SEPCO)
191 Stuart
FL 1994 10
6.644
1.3
3
Green Global Communities
195 Maui
HI 2009 50
5.5
1.2
4
ZeroBase Energy
233 Detroit
MI 2009 21
1.2
0.765
5
Greenwired
264 Redway
CA 2004 9
1.5
0.5
6
Thames Solar Electric
304 Denver
CO 1981 3
1
0.3
7
Simpler Solar
308 Tallahassee
FL 1974 5
135
0.29
8
Smart Energy of New England
318 Colebrook
NH 2008 10
0.76
0.25
9
Energy Conservation Solution
323 Mooresville
NC 2011 18
0.378
0.25
10
Peka Solar And Renewable Energy
328
FL
5
0.2
6 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7 • 2014
Cape Coral
2011
8
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
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HOT WATER FEATURED CONTRACTOR
No. 1 in Top Solar Hot Water (No. 56 Overall)
Fun in the Sun Solar, Orlando, Fla.
“Social media has helped brand and shape the company in areas we would have never imagined. We now have more than 2,600 likes and counting, as well as numerous sales and services from interactions on social media. ” — Tommy Bliven, Web Account Manager,
42
Total MW Installed
TOP 10 SOLAR HOT WATER
FUN IN THE SUN solar is a family-owned and operated business in Central Florida. Specializing in solar pool heating, solar hot water and PV, Fun in the Sun Solar is the largest volume dealer for FAFCO in the U.S four-years running. The company has been in business since 1996 but has been present in the solar industry since 1985. Fun in the Sun Solar prides itself in selling and installing the best American-made products and delivering world-class service.
12 33 1998
MW Installed in 2013
Employees
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: Unirac (Racking & Mounting), SolarWorld (Panels), SMA (Inverters)
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 1
Fun In The Sun Solar
56 Orlando
2
ReGreen
239
3
IQPower
266 Sanford
4
American Sentry Solar
288
5
Exact Solar
320 Yardley
6
Flatiron Solar
7
FL 1998 33
42
12
CA
1.035
0.7
FL 2009 25
1
0.5
MD
1.05
0.35
PA 2005 1
0.5
0.25
330 Boulder
CO 2007 1
1
0.2
Affordable Solar Contracting
365 Wahiawa
HI 1993 2
2.1
0.1
8
Solar Direct
366 Sarasota
FL 1986 30
2
0.1
9
Granite State Solar
369 Sutton
NH 2008 5
0.2
0.1
10
Solarwerks
388 Chicago
IL
1
0.05
Los Angeles Bel Air
Hot Water list/feature 7-14_Vs4FINAL.indd 65
2008 1993
50 40
2008 3
7 • 2014
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enphase.com Enphase Enphase combo.indd 7-14.indd 5 1
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BY STATE In some states, solar technology is becoming an everyday sight. Business is booming. Competition is healthy. The following 13 states produced more Top Solar Contractors than any others.
Recognizing Local Solar Businesses Who Are Doing The Job Right Puget Sound Solar Beaumont Solar
NOVA Consultants Tecta Solar
Oak Leaf Energy Partners
Clean Solar
Fidelity Home Energy
San Jose, Calif.
San Diego, Calif.
Southern Energy Management
O3 Energy Solutions
Solar-Fit
Puget Sound Solar
Resolute Performance Contractors
O3 Energy Solutions
Tecta Solar
RevoluSun
Oak Leaf Energy Partners
NOVA Consultants
Southern Energy Management
Seattle, Wash.
Fidelity Home Energy
Honolulu, Hawaii
Tempe, Ariz.
Denver, Colo.
Fort Washington, Penn.
Amberjack Solar Energy
Solar-Fit
Holly Hill, Fla.
Dallas, Texas
Novi, Mich.
Oakland, N.J.
Morrisville, N.C.
States Intro 7-14_Vs3FINAL.indd 67
Amberjack Solar Energy
Resolute Performance Contractors
RevoluSun
Clean Solar
You Save Green
You Save Green Albertson, N.Y. 7 • 2014
Beaumont Solar New Bedford, Mass.
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ARIZONA TOP 15 ARIZONA CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 1
First Solar
1
Tempe
4850
2
Resolute Performance Contracting
36
Tempe
30 30.5 20.439
3
Wilson Electric
38
Tempe
533
61.519 18.519
4
Natural Power and Energy
52
Scottsdale
7
23.176 12.815
5
Summerwind Solar
72
Phoenix
60
25 8.5
6
Harmon Electric
84
Phoenix
125
16.6 6
7
Sun Valley Solar Solutions
96
Chandler
85
20.575 5.377
8
SunHarvest Solar
125
Phoenix
12
10 3
9
Stealth Solar
138
Phoenix
48
9.75 2.5
10
Empire Renewable Energy (Empire Southwest)
172
Phoenix
1600
17.3 1.7
11
EPCON Solar
187
Phoenix
50
1.686 1.385
12
PEP Solar
188
Phoenix
15
12 1.384
13
SunRenu Solar
197
Scottsdale
18
2.2 1.2
14
SkyPower
265
Scottsdale
15
1.5 0.5
15
Solar Electric Systems & Products
280
Mesa
12
3 0.4
2887 1130
No. 2 in Top Arizona Contractors (No. 36 Overall)
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
Resolute Performance Contracting, Tempe
68
“At Resolute, we believe everything we do begins and ends with the customer. We use a rigorous approach to customer needs, making the effort to admire their challenges before developing a comprehensive solution.” — Robert Olson, Director of Business Development SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7 • 2014
30.5 20.4 30 2011
Total MW Installed
MW Installed in 2013
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
Employees
Year Founded
15 ARIZONA KEY FACTS • Solar Jobs: 8,558 • Top 3 Solar Sectors By Employment: Installation, Manufacturing, Sales & Distribution • Total Solar Companies: 288 • Number Of Homes Powered By Solar: 180,091 • Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Target: 15% by 2025
RESOLUTE PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING is a specialty general contractor with expertise in structural steel and concrete design-build applications. Its work in solar includes ground mount, roof mount, elevated canopies and solar-covered parking. Its management team includes seasoned business managers from a range of industries, including construction management, structural aluminum/steel fabrication and erection, industrial sector projects and utility-power generation. In addition to many building projects in 2013, it installed more than 20 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity. By assuming broad and varied scopes, the company intends to help reduce scope gap and increase schedule efficiency.
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CALIFORNIA TOP 100 CALIFORNIA CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 1
Rosendin Electric
3
San Jose
3500 478.844 383.41
2
SolarCity
4
San Mateo
5000 567
3
CSI Electrical Contractors
5
Santa Fe Springs 750 378 260
4
Swinerton Renewable Energy
11
San Francisco
1700 339
102
5
Cupertino Electric
12
San Jose
1800 800
100
6
Arraycon
15
Sacramento
47 193 75
7
Sunstall
18
Novato
27 108 52
8
M Bar C Construction
19
San Marcos
65 158 44
9
Helix Electric
21
San Diego
1500 104.8 41
10
Borrego Solar Systems
22
San Diego
112 103.5 37.296
11
Cenergy Power
25
Carlsbad
42 68 30
12
Verengo
28
Torrance
1050 61.2
13
REC Solar
40
San Luis Obispo
140
14
Solar Universe
46
Livermore
93 37 14
15
Hanwha Q CELLS USA
54
Irvine
59
16
Bland Solar & Air
55
Bakersfield
35 48 12
17
Solar Electrical Systems
62
Westlake Village 20 106 10
18
Shorebreak Energy Developers
69
Irvine
55 25 9
19
American Solar Direct
71
Los Angeles
436 17.084 8.99
20
Smart Energy Solar
74
Corona
120 8.32 8.32
21
Stellar Energy GP
75
Rohnert Park
30 30 8
22
Volta Solar (formerly Your Energy Source)
80
Rancho Cordova
40
23
Sunline Energy
82
San Diego
32 6.4 6.1
24
Baja Construction
86
Martinez
125 12
25
Alliance Energy & Mechanical
88
Temecula
64 10 6
Fidelity Home Energy, San Diego No. 42 in Top California Contractors (No. 120 Overall)
280
25.4
104.453 17.885
131.228 12.668
56.523 6.157
California list/feature 7-14_Vs6FINAL.indd 69
100
6
FIDELITY HOME ENERGY provides homeowners throughout California with top-quality energy-efficient products and services. Fidelity specializes in custom residential solar PV design and installation and prides itself in its ability to provide homeowners quality products and service.
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100
CALIFORNIA TOP 100 CALIFORNIA CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013
70
26
Baker Electric Solar
91
Escondido 79
26.549 5.608
27
A1 Solar Power
92
Van Nuys
115
37
28
SPG Solar
93
Petaluma
72
100.58 5.505
29
Sullivan Solar Power
97
San Diego
100
19.685
30
Blue Oak Energy
98
Davis
50 25 5
31
GCI Solar
99
Huntington Beach 150 15
5
32
The Solar Co.
100
Castro Valley
170
4.933
33
Independent Energy Solutions
103
Vista
25 15 4.14
34
Solar United Network (SUNworks)
105
Roseville 70 25 4
35
Sun Solar Energy Solutions
109
Bakersfield 38 7.12 3.811
36
GRID Alternatives
111
Oakland
140 14.899 3.591
37
PermaCity Solar (PermaCity Construction)
112
Los Angeles
15
32
3.5
38
Stellar Solar
113
San Diego
49
14
3.5
39
Newport Power
114
San Clemente
9
9
3.5
40
Solar Alliance of America
118
San Diego
44
8
3.2
41
Vista Solar
119
Santa Clara
20
6.847
3.189
42
Fidelity Home Energy
120
San Diego
150
12.861
3.134
43
MB Herzog Electric
122
Paramount 140 20.17 3.017
44
Sun Light & Power
123
Berkeley
63
23
3
45
Planet Solar Incorporated
126
Santa Barbara
53
9
3
46
Horizon Solar Power
133
Hemet
182 7.36 2.7
47
ADR Solar Solutions
144
Los Angeles
20
48
Herca Solar
145
Oceanside 35 12
2.3
49
Planet Earth Solar
147
San Clemente
8
3.364
2.264
50
North State Solar Energy
150
Forest Ranch
20
6
2.2
51
Everyday Energy
163
Carlsbad 28 6
2
52
NRG Clean Power
164
Canoga Park
80
6
2
53
McWire Electric
165
El Cajon
47
5.6
2
54
Milholland Electric
166
San Diego
40
5
2
55
Arise Solar
173
Clovis
55 4.8 1.7
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7 • 2014
12.845
16.38
5.6
5.194
2.35
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA No. 42 in Top California Contractors (No. 120 Overall)
Fidelity Home Energy, San Diego “The best business advice I ever received was to always put the customer first. This must be a culture within your company, not an exception. Always making time for your customers is absolutely paramount. This also applies to internal customer service among your employees. Happy employees equate to happy customers.” — Michael Haines, Executive Vice President
12.9 3.1 150 1991
Total MW Installed
MW Installed in 2013
Employees
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: Fortune Energy (Racking & Mounting), SolarWorld (Panels), Power-One (Inverters), APS (Monitoring)
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/25/14 2:37 PM
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100
CALIFORNIA TOP 100 CALIFORNIA CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
56
Renova Solar
175
Palm Desert
56
57
Nova West Solar
178
Fresno
20 5.75 1.64
No. 58 in Top California Contractors (No. 179 Overall)
58
Clean Solar
179
San Jose
44
Clean Solar, San Jose
59
SunGreen Systems
181
Irwindale 9
60
Solar Choice Solutions
182
Westlake Village 35 21.5 1.5
61
SunFusion Solar Electric
190
San Diego
30
7.28
1.3
62
Spectrum Energy Development
193
Elk Grove
12
8.5
1.25
63
Sunvalley Solar
194
Walnut
15 3.755 1.202
64
Central California Solar
200
Tulare
19 1.805 1.155
65
Solare Energy
204
San Diego
20
66
Scudder Solar
225
Marina
17 2.215 0.89
67
Lifestyle Solar
227
Fresno
40 4
68
Magic Sun Solar
228
Loomis
10 1.8 0.85
69
Palomar Solar
232
Escondido 12 1.9 0.8
70
Fresco Solar
238
Morgan Hill
10
2
0.7
71
ReGreen
239
Los Angeles
50
1.035
0.7
72
Plan It Solar
241
Grass Valley
14
0.78
0.672
73
SunCraft Solar
251
Poway
20 2.9 0.59
74
Solarponics
252
Atascadero 24 3.492 0.569
75
New Day Solar
255
Murrieta 12 5.71 0.55
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
4
Total MW Installed
1.6 44 2007
MW Installed in 2013
Employees
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: Ironridge (Racking & Mounting), SunPower (Panels), Enphase (Inverters), Enphase (Monitoring)
3.5
3.934
1.606
3.155 1.545
2.68
1.018
0.85
“When we founded Clean Solar, we believed we could make a difference in customer service for homeowners. We are dedicated to taking care of all the little details, like returning phone calls within hours instead of weeks, communicating changes in schedules, talking families through the entire process, and cleaning up on the job site. Homeowners are always proud of their decision to install solar, so to be a part of this process is something special.” — Randy Zechman, CEO, Clean Solar
CLEAN SOLAR is a top-rated residential solar installer serving the Bay Area. It designs custom solar systems to meet each family’s specific power needs. It values quality, customer service and attention to detail. It is a certified B Corporation and believes in giving back to the community with a $250 charitable donation with every installation. Clean Solar provides free site surveys and conversations about solar solutions that include a 15-year production guarantee and a 15-year full solar warranty for all workmanship. Its financial options fit every family’s budget with $0 down solar leases/PPAs, loans, PACE and cash purchases.
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1.7
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100
CALIFORNIA TOP 100 CALIFORNIA CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 76
Epic Solar
256
Tracy
5
3.5
0.55
77
SOLeenic
263
San Bruno
10
1.7
0.5
78
Greenwired
264
Redway
9
1.5
0.5
79
Capital City Solar
271
Roseville
10
4
0.45
80
Active Solar
284
San Juan Capistrano 7
1.145 0.377
81
Frontier Solar
291
San Jose
6
0.968
0.35
82
LuxLight Solar Energy
294
Lodi
10
0.6
0.336
83
Barnes Solar
300
Irvine
9
2.4
0.3
84
Skytech Solar
309
San Francisco
15
1.641
0.27
85
Solar Watt Solutions
321
Carlsbad
12
0.4
0.25
86
Barrus Solar
331
Long Beach
16
0.8
0.2
87
That Solar Guy
332
Murrieta
15
0.6
0.2
88
Green Conception
334
Burbank
10
0.5
0.2
89
Skyline Energy Savers
335
El Dorado Hills
10
0.4
0.2
90
ES Electrical Construction
337
Penryn
5
0.52
0.195
91
CalSun Electric & Solar Systems
338
Paso Robles
3
0.37
0.195
92
Earth Electric
341
San Jose
5
0.288
0.186
93
California Sun Systems
343
Los Angeles
5
0.713
0.178
94
SunWork Renewable Energy Projects
345
Milpitas
4
0.25
0.16
95
Run on Sun
349
Pasadena
3
0.4
0.15
96
Colored Solar
357
Ventura
33
1
0.13
97
Windsun Energy Systems
359
Carlsbad
12
3.5
0.12
98
Green Energy EPC
370
San Diego
5
0.2
0.1
99
Power Star Solar
375
Irvine
102
0.48
0.086
381
Oakland
5
0.428
0.078
100 Save a Lot Solar
72
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7 • 2014
Clean Solar, San Jose No. 58 in Top California Contractors (No. 179 Overall)
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
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COLORADO TOP 20 COLORADO CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 1
E Light Wind and Solar
7
2
Quanta Power Generation
20
Greenwood Village 650
3
RGS Energy
24
Louisville 300 235 31
4
Main Street Power Co.
29
Boulder
5
Oak Leaf Energy Partners
83
Denver 3 51 6
6
Lumos Solar
89
Boulder 50
7
Namasté Solar
95
Boulder 65 25 5.5
8
Clean Energy Collective
136
Boulder 60 5.34 2.57
9
Bella Energy
157
Louisville
10
Douglass Colony Group
184
Commerce City 500 5
1.5
11
Independent Power Systems
201
Boulder 25 9
1.1
12
Spear Point Energy
229
Aspen
13
Sunsense Solar
246
Carbondale 12 4.8
0.6
14
Atlasta Solar Center
258
Grand Junction 12
0.5
15
El Paso Green Energies
277
Colorado Springs 6 0.86 0.43
16
Stellar Roofing & Solar
282
Wheat Ridge
17
Peak Solar Designs
290
Salida 3 1 0.35
18
Thames Solar Electric
304
Denver 3 1 0.3
19
Flatiron Solar
330
Boulder 1 1 0.2
20
Southard Solar & Construction
342
Longmont 6 0.38 0.183
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
51
Total MW Installed
6
3 2006
MW Installed in 2013 Employees
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: Power-One (Inverters), DECK Monitoring (Monitoring)
Englewood 298 456.8 189
30
14
56.696 25.361
6
11.514 2.009
10
0.9
0.4
OAK LEAF is a full-service developer of commercial and utility scale solar projects. Since its founding, Oak Leaf has worked with public sector and commercial entities to identify, structure, construct, finance and successfully deploy over 50 MW of projects. Oak Leaf is also an activist for solar power policy issues.
Colorado list/feature 7-14_Vs6FINAL.indd 73
No. 5 in Top Colorado Contractors (No. 83 Overall)
Oak Leaf Energy Partners, Denver
344.193 42.793
10 6.473 0.844
9
20 “‘Don’t forget that integrity and ethics matter. It sounds basic, but it’s an underappreciated maxim of business, especially one like ours where we intersect with the same people again and again. Our investors, site hosts and EPC partners know we are honest brokers above all — which is why they work with us on repeat projects.” — John Hereford, Founding Partner
COLORADO KEY FACTS • Colorado currently has more than 343 solar companies, employing 3,600 • In 2013, Colorado installed 56 MW of solar electric capacity, ranking it 10th nationally. • The 348 MW of solar energy currently installed in Colorado ranks the state 8th in the country in installed solar capacity. There is enough solar energy installed in the state to power 66,500 homes.
7 • 2014
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FLORIDA TOP 25 FLORIDA CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013
74
1
Moss Solar
13
Fort Lauderdale 400
268.89
99.8
2
Advanced Green Technologies
53
Fort Lauderdale 25
86.771
12.771
3
Fun In The Sun Solar
56
Orlando 33 42 12
4
Solar Source
81
Largo
5
Compass Solar Energy
127
Pensacola 35 6.3 3
6
Solar-Fit
168
Holly Hill
7
Solar Impact
177
Gainesville 9
8
Alternative Energy Services
180
Titusville 15 3.25 1.545
9
Solar Electric Power Company (SEPCO)
191
Stuart
10
Power Production Management
196
Gainesville 25 2.4
1.2
11
Energy Conservation Services
207
Gainesville 10 4
1
12
Fafco Solar
210
Cape Coral
1
13
Solar Energy Management
218
Tampa 15 2
1
14
IQPower
266
Sanford 25 1
0.5
15
RenuEn Corp
268
Jupiter
22 0.5 0.5
16
Solar Trek
276
Ocala
18 2.6 0.445
17
Florida Power Services
279 Tampa
18
A1A Solar Contracting
298
Jacksonville 15 0.588 0.309
19
Simpler Solar
308
Tallahassee 5
135
0.29
20
A National Electric Service
314
Pompano Beach 6
3
0.25
21
Mirasol FAFCO Solar
315
Nokomis 25 2
0.25
22
Peka Solar And Renewable Energy
328
Cape Coral
0.2
23
Solar Advantage
350
Tampa 5 0.2 0.15
24
Abundant Energy
351
Jupiter
25
Clean Footprint
362
Cape Canaveral 10
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7 • 2014
45
22
83.716 6.118
6.6
1.9
9.005 1.665
10 6.644 1.3
20
4
8
3
3.4
5
25 FEATURED CONTRACTOR No. 6 in Top Florida Contractors (No. 168 Overall)
Solar-Fit, Holly Hill “The best business advice I ever received was to treat everyone with respect, offer quality products, and provide outstanding customer service. These three traits will provide a steady stream of referrals, repeat customers, and the recognition by those in your community when it comes to honesty and value.” — Bill Gallagher, Owner, CEO, Solar-Fit
0.4
15 0.3 0.145 0.117
0.117
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/25/14 2:49 PM
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6.6
1.9
Total MW Installed
MW Installed in 2013
22
Employees
Preferred suppliers: Unirac (Racking & Mounting), SunPower (Panels), SMA America (Inverters), SMA America (Monitoring)
Florida list/feature 7-14_Vs6FINAL.indd 75
1975 Year Founded
Established in 1975, International Sun Protection, which does business as SOLARFIT, is one of Florida's pioneering solar companies. International Sun Protection specializes in the design, engineering, sale, installation and service of solar thermal, solar electric and solar air conditioning systems. The company offers these solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. More than 16,000 satisfied customers have Solar-Fit(ted) their homes and businesses, and that number is growing daily. Solar-Fit is the exclusive distributor of Solar Comfort Hybrid Air solar heating and air conditioning systems in Florida. Solar-Fit also hosts a weekly radio program called the Solar-Fit Renewable Energy Show. The show features guests from around the world who play a part in promoting renewable energy and environmental sustainability.
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HAWAII TOP 10 HAWAII CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 1
Alternate Energy
45
2
Sunetric
63 Kailua
100 67
10
3
RevoluSun
65 Honolulu 25 45
9.8
4
Hawaii Energy Connection
68 Aiea
90 26
9.276
5
Haleakala Solar
78 Kahului
148 54.652 6.652
6
American Electric Co.
121 Honolulu 150 9.4
3.1
7
Photonworks Engineering
170 Honolulu 40 6
1.783
8
Hawaii Energy Smart
185 Maui
4.5
1.5
9
Bonterra Solar
192 Honolulu 20 4.8
1.3
10
Green Global Communities
195 Maui
1.2
Honolulu
60
8
267.856 14.689
50 5.5
No. 3 in Top Hawaii Contractors (No. 65 Overall)
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
RevoluSun, Honolulu
76
“We are a part of a disruptive innovation that is fundamentally changing the way homeowners and businesses think about their energy needs. The writing is on the wall: Largescale energy providers need to adapt or die. We are extremely optimistic about the future of energy storage and microgrid technology and believe that in the near future, our market will be at a point where homeowners and businesses start leaving the grid in large scales.“ — Eric Carlson, RevoluSun Principal SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7 • 2014
45 9.8 25 2009
Total MW Installed MW Installed in 2013 Employees
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: Unirac (Racking & Mounting), SunPower (Panels), SunPower, SMA America (Inverters), SunPower (Monitoring)
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
10 REVOLUSUN's mission is to make solar energy affordable and attractive for homeowners and businesses. Headquartered in Honolulu, RevoluSun has developed more than 4,500 residential solar systems and 100 commercial systems, bringing its portfolio to more than 45 MW. RevoluSun’s network of trusted alternative energy partners and communityoriented philosophy have contributed to the company’s success. RevoluSun offers its residential clients a free home energy analysis, which allows for personalized service and a custom system design based on each home’s specific energy needs. RevoluSun also offers community education programs for homeowners who want to learn about how solar works and the tax incentives available to them. RevoluSun is a SunPower Elite Dealer and the only solar company to be awarded SunPower’s Residential National Top Producer of the Year twice (2011 and 2012).
7/25/14 2:51 PM
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MASSACHUSETTS
Photo courtesy of Nancy Evans Photography
TOP 10 MASSACHUSETTS CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 1
Nexamp
39
Boston 38 42 18
2
Beaumont Solar
61
New Bedford
3
Renewable Energy Massachusetts
73
Cambridge 2
4
Solect Energy Development
90
Hopkinton 24 11.5 5.7
5
The Boston Solar Company
141
Woburn 85 3.1 2.5
6
Second Generation Energy
186
Hopedale 6 3
7
New England Clean Energy
235
Hudson 19 2.52 0.739
8
Mass Renewables
237
Bellingham 4
2.4
0.72
9
Southern Light Solar
322
New Bedford
0.4
0.25
10
Brightstar Solar
340
Marlborough 7
50
6
24.5
10.2
8.5
8.5
1.5
0.556 0.188
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
Beaumont Solar, New Bedford
24.5 10.2 50 2006 Total MW Installed
BEAUMONT SOLAR is quickly gaining success in the New England solar market with a 45% compounded annual growth rate. Its complete in-house team provides a streamlined, vertically integrated solution for customers. This philosophy allows Beaumont Solar to operate with high quality standards at a competitive cost to yield maximum value. Beaumont Solar is known for its dedication to a triple bottom line with projects that are cited for their positive impact on the environment, enable municipalities and business owners to capture sustainable long-term energy savings and generate jobs.
Massachusetts list/feature 7-14_Vs8FINAL.indd 77
MASSACHUSETTS KEY FACTS • SEIA reports that more than 290 solar companies work in Massachusetts, employing 8,400. • With 464 MW of solar energy currently installed in Massachusetts, the state ranks 6th in the country in installed solar capacity. • In 2013, $789 million was invested in Massachusetts to install solar for home, business and utility use. This represents a 50% increase over the previous year and is expected to grow again this year. • Average installed residential and commercial PV system prices in Massachusetts have fallen by 6% in the last year.
No. 2 in Top Massachusetts Contractors (No. 61 Overall) “The best part about being a solar EPC firm is the dynamic challenge. The solar industry continuously changes as it grows. This presents diverse challenges that a company must not only anticipate but overcome with precise, strategic plans so it can benefit as a whole from the industry’s growth rather than be surpassed by it. Our in-house project managers, electricians and engineers are able to grow with the industry while we attract and train new, local, skilled labor ready to step up to the challenge. ” — Phillip Cavallo, President & CEO
10
7 • 2014
MW Installed in 2013
Employees
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: RBI Solar (Racking & Mounting), Canadian Solar (Panels), SMA America (Inverters), Draker (Monitoring)
SOLAR POWER WORLD
77
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MICHIGAN TOP 10 MICHIGAN CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 1
NOVA Consultants
70
2
Newkirk Electric Associates
3
Novi
35 17 9
169
Muskegon
400 75.531 1.876
Harvest Energy Solutions
189
Jackson 23 4.1 1.35
4
ZeroBase Energy
233
Detroit 21 1.2 0.765
5
Helios Solar
244
Kalamazoo 5
6
Oak Electric
261
Waterford 40 2
7
Srinergy
296
Novi
8
Solar Sales of Michigan/Salvatore Contracting
319
Davison 8 0.72 0.25
9
Mechanical Energy Systems
326
Canton 12 0.5 0.225
10
Michigan Solar & Wind Powered Solutions
354
Commerce 4
0.865 0.65
6 1.3 0.325
0.653 0.141
No. 1 in Top Michigan Contractors (No. 70 Overall)
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
NOVA Consultants, Novi
78
As a leading solar EPC firm in Michigan, NOVA strives to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective solutions to clients. The company puts itself in customers’ shoes to understand their specific needs and constraints, and it works closely with them to develop innovative, high-quality solutions for projects at relatively low cost. NOVA has a strong focus on adherence to safety, quality, budget and schedule, which in turn leads to satisfied customers. NOVA also seeks to establish long term relationships with installation partners, and further develop the solar PV industry in Michigan. NOVA prides itself on its skilled staff of professionals who have often utilized innovative SOLAR POWER WORLD
Michigan list/feature 7-14_Vs6FINAL.indd 78
7 • 2014
0.5
10 MICHIGAN KEY FACTS • Solar jobs: 2,700 • Solar companies: 176 • Maximum solar resource: 4.34 kWh/m2/day • RPS Standard: 10% and 1,100 MW by 2015
17 9 35 1992
Total MW Installed
MW Installed in 2013
Employees
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: Solar FlexRack, AET, Schletter (Racking & Mounting), SolarWorld (Panels), SMA, Solectria, Schneider, Advanced Energy, Power One (Inverters)
methods and materials to overcome site and design obstacles, and save significant time and money for the client. NOVA keeps up with the latest developments in the industry and seeks to recommend the optimal products and designs that emphasize safety, quality, longevity and low cost. As a result, a majority of its work is for repeat customers. Over the last five years, NOVA has completed about 30 ground, roof, and canopy carport projects, and interconnected at various levels from single phase 240V to 40 kV three-phase, and varying in size from 3 kW to over 1 MW.
“When we work with utilities, we remember that in addition to the common requirements of reliable design and uptime, utilities have a unique awareness regarding the cost to their ratepayers, customer service and compliance with authorities overseeing regulated utilities. We strive to put ourselves in our clients’ shoes and understand the project from their point of view, since these items may not necessarily be on the radar screens for private firms. Secondly, the financial, safety, quality and documentation compliance aspects for regulated utilities are often more stringent as well. ” — Sunil Agrawal, President, NOVA Consultants
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/25/14 3:07 PM
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4/15/14 7/25/14 1:29 3:07 PM PM
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NEW JERSEY TOP 15 NEW JERSEY CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
NEW JERSEY KEY FACTS
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 1
NRG Energy
2
2
Gehrlicher Solar America Corp
14
Springfield 50 115 80
3
Trinity Solar
34
Wall
4
Amberjack Solar Energy
43
Oakland 70 36 16
5
NRG Home Solar
48
Wall
503 29
6
Ray Angelini
50
Sewell
300 113 13
7
Renewable Assets
57
Trenton 32 30 12
8
Pure Power Systems
66
Hoboken
9
GeoPeak Energy
94
Somerset 50 36 5.5
10
Solular
117
Marlton 10 12 3.2
11
Independence Solar
124
Cherry Hill
6
15
3
12
Solis Partners
130
Sea Girt
15
11.995
2.9
13
Berkowatts Electric
162
Lakewood 24 6
14
PowerLutions
272
Lakewood 12 3.5 0.45
15
Green Power Energy
297
Annandale 11 1.39 0.315
Princeton
No. 4 in Top New Jersey Contractors (No. 43 Overall)
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
Amberjack Solar Energy, Oakland
80
“The best business advice I ever received is that the customer is always right … even when he or she is wrong. Our number one priority is creating long lasting relationships. We do this through listening to what is important to our client and providing white glove treatment from our installation through to our operations and maintenance division. We don’t just sell and install a solar system and move on, but rather look to sell a system that produces maximum output for its entire life of 25 or more years. ” — Lance Kulick, President and Founder, Amberjack Solar Energy SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7 • 2014
10000 1200
672
251 93.886 22.038
40
• Solar jobs: 6,500 • Solar companies: 448 • Maximum solar resource: (4.63 kWh/m2/day) • RPS Standard: 20.38% by 2021 (Solar Foundation)
13.5
13.237 9.776
2
AMBERJACK SOLAR ENERGY is a leading developer and EPC of solar projects with headquarters in Oakland, N.J. The company is one of the original licensed commercial EPCs on the East Coast. Amberjack provides a full turn-key solar solution, from system design through installation. With a separate division devoted to the monitoring and operations and maintenance of solar systems, Amberjack offers the complete solar package, one source of responsibility for a system’s production.
36
Total MW Installed
16 70 2009
MW Installed in 2013
Employees
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: AET (Racking & Mounting), LG, Hanwha (Panels), SolarEdge, AE (Inverters), Noveda (Mointoring)
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
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15
NEW YORK TOP 15 NEW YORK CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 1
U.S. Light Energy
58
Latham 65 32 11
2
OnForce Solar
85
New York City
3
Monolith Solar Associates
101
Rensselaer 52 16.6 4.8
4
EnterSolar
102
New York
15
11.2
5
Solar Liberty Energy Systems
104
Buffalo
30
16.696 4.1
6
SUNation Solar Systems
131
Oakdale
40 9.914 2.742
7
EmPower Solar
142
Island Park
56
8
Hudson Solar
9
75
16
No. 13 in Top New York Contractors (No. 262 Overall)
You Save Green, Albertson
6
“We’re optimistic about the solar industry because innovation and manufacturing is increasing. Customer awareness of the benefits of solar systems is spreading, and the variety of financing mechanisms available make going solar seamless for the customer.” — David Magid, Company Director, You Save Green
4.16
9.411
2.423
159 Rhinebeck 45
8.5
2
Davis Hill Development
209
Port Chester
3
3
1
10
Staten Island Renewable Energy
221
Staten Island
4
1
1
11
Built Well Solar
223
Wantagh 15 6
12
New York State Solar Farm
230
Gardiner
13
You Save Green
262
Albertson 15 2
0.5
14
STR Systems
299
Poughkeepsie 8
1.78
0.302
15
2K Solar
302
Middletown 5
1.44 0.3
0.98
15 1.233 0.803
2 .5 15 2010
Total MW Installed
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
Employees
NEW YORK KEY FACTS
MW Installed in 2013
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: Unirac, Iron Ridge (Racking & Mounting), SolarWorld (Panels), Enphase, SMA (Inverters)
• Solar jobs: 5,000 • Solar companies: 411 • Maximum solar resource: 4.49 kWh/m2/day • RPS standard: 29% by 2015 (Source: Solar Foundation)
As an integral part of its business strategy and corporate culture, YOU SAVE GREEN is founded with a social responsibility to promote “green collar” job growth in New York and to raise public awareness of economically and environmentally sound energy solutions. The company’s mission is to educate consumers in the use of clean renewable technologies. You Save Green teaches how to save money and the environment while also being committed to providing solar expertise from an experienced staff. You Save Green’s attention is directed toward the satisfaction of customers.
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NORTH CAROLINA TOP 10 NORTH CAROLINA CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 1
Strata Solar
6
2
FLS Energy
3
National Renewable Energy Corporation
4
Southern Energy Management
183
Morrisville 48 20
5
Yes! Solar Solutions
267
Cary
6
Cape Fear Solar Systems
275 Wilmington 12
1.125 0.45
7
Green State Power
292
Greensboro 5
0.9
8
ReNu Energy Solutions
311
Charlotte 14 0.855 0.26
9
Energy Conservation Solution
323
Mooresville 18 0.378 0.25
10
Accelerate Solar
363
Charlotte 8
No. 4 in Top North Carolina Contractors (No. 183 Overall)
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
Southern Energy Management, Raleigh-Durham
82
“The very best thing about being in the solar industry is that we get to help people utilize a proven technology with such massive untapped potential to create positive impact. It’s really satisfying to see someone truly ‘get it’ for the first time, whether that be a customer, one of our other partners or even a team member. When that happens, and they change from skeptics to advocates, it makes all the effort we put into building a great company that will be here for the long haul worthwhile.” — Maria Kingery, CEO, Southern Energy Management SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7 • 2014
Chapel Hill
110
300
200
30
Asheville
45
47.455 24.718
79
Charlotte 15 15.5 6.5 1.5
14 0.75 0.5
NORTH CAROLINA KEY FACTS • Solar jobs: 3,100 • Solar companies: 137 • Maximum solar resource: 5.35 kWh/m2/day • RPS target: 12.5% by 2021 (IOUs); 10% by 2018 (co-ops & munis) (Source: Solar Foundation)
0.35
0.168 0.114
SOUTHERN ENERGY MANAGEMENT is a sustainable energy services company serving the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic from its headquarters in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. The company’s services include the design and installation of residential and commercial solar power systems, residential energy efficiency testing and green building certification for home owners, builders, businesses and non-profits. Southern Energy Management is proud to be a certified B Corporation. To become a certified B Corporation, companies must meet rigorous, independent standards of social and environmental performance. They are creating greater economic opportunity, strengthening local communities and preserving the environment. Southern Energy Management was one of the first companies to be certified in North Carolina as a B Corporation.
20 1.5 48 2001
Total MW Installed
Employees
MW Installed in 2013
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: PanelClaw (Racking and Mounting), LG, SunPower (Panels), SMA (Inverters)
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/25/14 3:16 PM
PRODUCT OFFERING: – 1Ph Residential Inverters (1.8-5 kW) – 1Ph Transformerless Inverters (3.8-7.6 kW) – 3Ph Transformerless Inverters (14-28 kW) – 3Ph Central Inverters (50-500 kW) – Utility-Scale Inverters (500 kW-2 MW) – Disconnecting and Arc-Fault Combiners – Web-based Monitoring
One size doesn’t fit all, but one company does. Built for the real world COME SEE US AT THESE UPCOMING SHOWS! Booth 611 June 23-25, 2014 Boston Convention & Exhibit Center - Boston, MA Design Considerations & Inverter Training Booth 8211 July 8-10, 2014 Moscone Center - San Francisco, CA
www.solectria.com | inverters@solectria.com | 978-683-9700
Solectria 5-14.indd 67
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PENNSYLVANIA TOP 10 PENNSYLVANIA CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 1
Tecta Solar
41
Fort Washington 2147
2
Energy Systems & Installation (ESI)
47
Jonestown 62 23.4 13.7
3
Paradise Energy Solutions
149
Gap
4
Clark EcoEnergy
174
Lancaster 4 3.5 1.7
5
RER Energy Group
202
Reading 15 7.1 1.1
6
Pinnacle Exteriors
208
Allentown 10 3.7 1
7
SolareAmerica
216
Malvern 5 2.2 1
8
Honeycomb Solar
220
Pittsburgh 4
9
Energy Independent Solutions
254
Pittsburgh 13 2.35 0.553
10
Moore Energy
260
Southampton 20
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
72.4 17.4
Total MW Installed
MW Installed in 2013
2,147 2000 Employees
8 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD
Year Founded
Pennsylvania list/feature 7-14_Vs6FINAL.indd 84
7 • 2014
72.435
30 8
1
2
17.435
2.24
1
0.5
TECTA SOLAR is a division of Tecta America Corp., which installs in the commercial roofing space with more than 40 offices nationwide. Tecta Solar is an experienced developer, and turnkey installer of roof, greenfield, brownfield and landfill mounted solar projects. Tecta offers PPA and tax-lease financing on systems larger than 300 kW and has union and non-union labor forces that self-perform PV installation tasks. Tecta has completed solar projects in 16 states, including for Fortune 500s, IPPs, solar integrators, utilities, state, municipal and federal government entities.
10 No. 1 in Top Pennsylvania Contractors (No. 41 Overall)
Tecta Solar, Fort Washington “I love the people I work with and the projects in which we get involved. We have done some exciting solar installs for many large retailers and government entities. We have recently been involved in several R&D projects with various players in the solar Industry, including racking, panel, roofing material, battery storage and the U.S. Department of Energy. Some of those R&D projects have innovative products that may change the face of solar.” — Robert Rabe, Director of Business Development
PENNSYLVANIA KEY FACTS • Total Solar Cos.: 428 • Number Of Homes Powered By Solar: 24,644 • Legal Status Of Third-Party Ownership: Allowed • Net Metering Policy Grade: A • Interconnection Policy Grade: B
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/25/14 3:22 PM
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TEXAS TOP 20 TEXAS CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 AUI Contractors
32
Fort Worth
2
Solar CenTex
67
Harker Heights 8
3
Freedom Solar Power
106
Austin
33 11 4
4
Native
115
Austin
63 8.46 3.46
5
O3 Energy Solutions
134
Dallas 4 4.1 2.7
6
Axium Solar
137
Plano
7
Folium Energy Development
140
Addison 5 5 2.5
8
Revolve Solar
151
Austin
9
Air Wind & Solar
155
Stephenville 27
7.62
2.1
10
Border Solar
156
El Paso
12
3.935
2.047
11
Meridian Solar
158
Austin
25 40 2
12
Texas Solar Outfitters
171
Houston 17 2.24 1.74
13
Longhorn Solar
176
Austin
51 3.195 1.676
14
Greenbelt Solar
253
Austin
20 1.3 0.56
15
Solar Odyssey
293
Stafford 8 0.55 0.35
16
Electric Distribution & Design Systems
336
Garland 10 0.36 0.2
17
Texas Green Energy
339
College Station 5
0.792
18
GleanPower
352
Denton
4
0.297 0.144
19
Entech Electronics
391
Dallas
14 0.135 0.05
20
Abbott Electric
397
Denton
4
FEATURED CONTRACTOR
1
325
23
18.6
9.6
100 3
2.2
O3 Energy Solutions, Dallas
0.192
0.792 0.032
4.1 2.7 4 2011
Total MW Installed MW Installed in 2013 Employees
No. 5 in Top Texas Contractors (No. 134 Overall)
“Our optimism towards the solar industry comes from the constant evolution of the market. Since the end of the 1603 Grant in 2012, each project has become a race to the bottom. The challenge of squeezing every penny out of a project continues to create substantial innovations.” — Tarun Kumar, Vice President
35 7.209 2.509
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: AP Alternatives (Racking & Mounting), Renesola (Panels), Nextronex (Inverters), AlsoEnergy (Monitoring)
Texas list/feature 7-14_Vs6FINAL.indd 85
94
20
O3 ENERGY SOLUTIONS is a renewable energy services company that focuses on providing energy solutions to heavy power users. It specializes in developing, financing, constructing and operating energy generation systems and facilities. The company provides clients with affordable clean energy through onsite generation.
7 • 2014
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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WASHINGTON TOP 10 WASHINGTON CONTRACTORS = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY EMP. INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2013 1
Puget Sound Solar
128
Seattle 32 3.25 3
2
COST LE$$ Energy
219
Yakima
3
Artisan Electric
236
Seattle 30 1.2 0.735
4
NW Wind & Solar
249
Seattle
5
Whidbey Sun & Wind
287
Coupeville 12 1.238 0.351
6
Solora Solar
312
Yakima 3 0.5 0.26
7
GC SOLAR
316
Bellevue 6 1.8 0.25
8
South Sound Solar
346
Olympia 13 0.6 0.15
9
Wray Industries
355
Ellensburg 5
0.271 0.137
10
Frederickson Electric
385
Port Townsend 12
0.257
10 No. 1 in Top Washington Contractors (No. 128 Overall)
Puget Sounds Solar, Seattle
11 1.225 1
110 2
0.6
0.067
FEATURED CONTRACTOR “We aim to stay customercentric. I try to put myself in our customer’s shoes, to think like our customers and prospective customers, to anticipate their needs and concerns. Our view is that Puget Sound Solar does great work, but without our customers we would do no work — so it is really our customers who deserve the credit for what we do.” — Jeremy Smithson, CEO
WASHINGTON KEY FACTS
3.3
3 32 2001
Total MW Installed MW Installed in 2013
Employees
Year Founded
Preferred suppliers: IronRidge (Racking & Mounting), Itek, Silicon Energy, SolarWorld, SunPower (Panels), SMA, Power-One, Eltek, Enphase, APS (Inverters), eGauge (Monitoring) (Monitoring)
86
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7 • 2014
• Total Solar Companies: 102 • Net-Metering Policy Grade: B • Interconnection Policy Grade: B • Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Target: 15% by 2020 (Data from Solar Foundation)
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/25/14 3:29 PM
OO SOLAR CONTRACTORS ACROSS
AMERICA The nation's top solar contractors work from coast to coast. Thumb through the following pages and join us as we tour the country. These are the stories, thoughts and photographs of contractors from Kahului to Boston. Just don't forget your helmet and pyranometer.
South Sound Solar
Nexamp
SunVest
SPG Solar
Built Well Solar Ocean Solar
CB Solar Progressive Power Solutions
Third Sun Solar
Sunsense
Natural Power & Energy
Maui Solar Project
KDH Solar South Coast Solar
Sepco
Pacific:
Mountain:
Midwest:
South:
Northeast:
SPG Solar Petaluma, Calif.
Natural Power & Energy Scottsdale, Ariz.
Third Sun Solar Athens, Ohio
Solar Electric Power Company (SEPCO) Stuart, Fla.
Ocean Solar Northfield, N.J.
Maui Solar Project Kahului, Hawaii
Progressive Power Solutions Orem, Utah
CB Solar Ankeny, Iowa
KDH Solar New Orleans, La.
Built Well Solar Wantagh, N.Y.
South Sound Solar Olympia, Wash.
Sunsense Carbondale, Colo.
SunVest Pewaukee, Wis.
South Coast Solar New Orleans, La
Nexamp Boston
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PACIFIC CONTRACTORS ACROSS AMERICA
Solar trackers designed and installed by SPG Solar combined with California SB 594 are the perfect combination to help alleviate Los Gatos Tomato’s energy costs. The farm has multiple wells that use a large amount of energy during the afternoon. Trackers also deliver the most energy at that time. Under SB 594, Los Gatos can aggregate multiple meters on contiguous parcels of land, which means energy from one solar installation can offset costs at multiple wells.
Tracking The Benefits EPC Uses And Sells Its Own Solar Tracker Petaluma, Calif. — SPG Solar (No. 93 Overall) started as an EPC in 2001 by building the first commercial grid-tied system in the United States at Blakes Autobody in Rohnert Park, Calif. The company, which has grown to 72 employees, lists a couple other firsts on its resume, too. In 2004, SPG Solar installed the arrays that made the Kentfield School District in Kentfield, Calif., the first to be powered completely by solar. In 2006, SPG built the first non-penetrating system on the side of a dam for the Sonoma County Water Agency. Also in 2006, the company launched the SunSeeker single-axis tracking system, installing the first unit at a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, Alza Corporation, in Mountain View, Calif. Solar tracking systems can greatly increase ROI on a project by increasing energy production when electric rates are most expensive – during the day. But why did SPG Solar develop its own solar tracking system? 88
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“To begin with, there was a clear need in the market,” says Dylan Dupre, vice president of EPC Sales at SPG Solar. But he says the advantages – if you have enough capital to develop, test and patent a system – are threefold. The first advantage, Dupre says, is experience installing the system. Every SPG Solar installer is trained and certified to install the SunSeeker – and the company has installed more than 100 MW of that particular system. The second advantage is cost. Rather than paying a markup on equipment from another company, SPG is able to source materials directly from component suppliers. Third, the company stocks its own spare parts. “In terms of operations and maintenance, we’re able to service these systems quickly and reliably through our technology and training center in Sacramento,” Dupre says. “There is an advantage to not having to go back to a
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manufacturer to order parts because we are the manufacturer.” The SunSeeker experienced success recently at Los Gatos Tomato Products, a tomato processing facility in Huron, Calif. In 2009, SPG Solar installed a 1.1-MW single-axis tracking system at the farm, which exceeded expectations by 7 to 8% yearly. Impressed with the system’s performance, Los Gatos just signed for an additional 3 MW of trackers, which will be installed under California SB 594, a netmetering aggregation program. “SPG Solar provided a real service and has a proven track record. They came in on budget, stayed within the proposed time schedule and delivered more than expected,” says Stuart Woolf, owner of Los Gatos Tomato Products. “This project is a total validation that solar is both an economical and sustainable solution for the farm’s energy needs,” Dupre says. SPW
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OO Growing Naturally
Q&A With South Sound Solar (No. 346 Overall) Olympia, Wash. —South Sound Solar tells Solar Power World how it handles company growth. Solar Power World: How has South Sound Solar grown throughout the years? Business Development Manager Dever Kuni: When my dad started the company in 2008, it was just two people: a part-time installer and him, working in the living room. I remember people looking at my dad a little funny for starting a business in 2008, but business only improved. Today we have 14 employees, two installation crews and a waitlist of installs. Growth has been very natural. When we have a significant waitlist, we grow. When things slow down, we regroup, train and try to get ahead of the next season. SPW: What’s the most difficult aspect of managing a growing company? Kuni: Catching up. As soon as we’ve grown to accommodate demand, demand has grown again. We are very conservative when it comes to growth. We don’t want to get into a cycle of layoffs that is so common in the construction industry. SPW: Looking back, did you think the solar industry would grow the way it has? Kuni: I was really hopeful it would. It was only a matter of time until people saw the benefits. I’m just amazed at how far solar has come in such a “short” time, and I hope it continues to gain popularity. SPW: Please tell us about a time you got in a little over your head. Kuni: Last winter, a customer had a pergola custom-engineered and premanufactured. Because it was pre-
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OO manufactured, we agreed to install it as part of a solar installation. It was going to be beautiful. But the engineer had under-sold the scale of the structure. One cross beam took 4 people to lift, and we had to get it eight feet up. We had to regroup and plan how to safely assemble the structure. It’s beautiful now.
Keeping Clients Happy In Slow-To-Permit Hawaii By Maui Solar Project (No. 259 Overall) Vice President Joshua Porter and Operations Manager Emily Sullivan
SPW: What’s the best management advice you can offer other growing companies? Kuni: Use the resources available to you: your employees, community and other businesses. Dialog and sharing ideas always helps create the best plans and solutions. SPW: How do you hire and retain a team that will work hard and support your growing company? Kuni: As a family business, those related to my dad are always very involved and dedicated. We hire those who fit the culture, are passionate about solar and have the skills and knowledge needed. And when we find a good fit, even if we aren’t hiring, we find a place for them here. SPW: What’s the best part about being in the solar industry? Kuni: Solar touches almost every aspect of our lives in a positive way. And we get to help individuals and businesses take some ownership for the positive change. SPW
A South Sound Solar crew works on a rooftop array.
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Kahului, Hawaii — With endless amounts of sun, Hawaii is an ideal place for PV systems. Our island community believes strongly in caring for the land or the “Aina,” as it is called. One would think that solar is booming and in many ways it is. We do have one of the highest adoption rates in the country. The community understands the importance and effectiveness of home PV and are installing as fast as possible. Electricity rates in Maui are among the highest in the world, upwards of $0.40/ kWh, where the national average is around $0.12. An average monthly electric bill can easily run $300 here. But with solar that cost is cut to just an $18 dollar connection fee. Long-term savings are staggering, typically, in the hundreds of thousands of dollars over the warrantied system life, making a huge difference in a family’s ability to manage costs. The utilities on the Hawaiian Islands have struggled to move swiftly in required grid upgrades to handle the additional loads during the daytime energy curve when solar is producing. The result has been significant delays in getting the utilities’ approval for home PV systems. It is a frustrating process for many, taking some www.solarpowerworldonline.com
over a year to get approval from the utility to install their system. At Maui Solar Project we have found that excellent communication with our clients has helped ease the process. We keep an updated calendar marking each milestone the client is reaching through the utility so that we can keep them informed. Our clients stay abreast of the latest changes through social media and email updates that we manage monthly. “Grid-saturation,” as it is called, is a dynamic process. As upgrades are made to the grid we see new areas previously saturated that become available for solar. We sometimes find that simply resubmitting a client’s documents at these key periods can make all the difference and often get their system permitted quickly. One of the great aspects of working in an environment like Maui is that we have the chance to witness our community shift from fossil fuels one family at a time. We’ve found that if we work together as a team and do our very best to look out for the interests of our clients from the outset, everyone can get a solar system on their home. SPW
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MOUNTAIN CONTRACTORS ACROSS AMERICA
Superintendent H.T. Sánchez and TUSD students at the ribbon cutting ceremony, May 13, 2014.
It’s The Cycle Of Life (Approach) Scottsdale, Ariz. — Natural Power & Energy (NPE) (No. 52 Overall) is all at once a developer, contractor and services provider, a fusion of functions the company refers to as the “life-cycle approach.” “When solar was getting started, we realized general contractors and electrical contractors were bound to get a lot of work, so we started a services division,” says CEO Rob Dallal. “We knew they wouldn’t be able to do it all on their own.” NPE provides design, engineering, financing and construction services, including system monitoring and O&M. The company hires specialists across the board who understand financing and best
practices across the spectrum of business. “We break up all the key segments of the value chain that are involved in a project from its inception to completion,” says Dallal, whose background is in finance and economics. “Providing these brokenout services to contractors has made us experts in each segment.” “A big part of the life-cycle approach is looking at each step in the process and thinking about how to build inexpensively and how to design [individual projects] according to best practices to maximize production over the life of the project,” he continues. Dallal says he’s most proud of NPE’s
recent project, an 11-MW system spanning 42 sites in the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD). The project, expected to produce more than 19 million kWh per year, mainly employs shade canopies over fields and playgrounds, with a few canopies over parking lots. NPE served as the primary developer, overseeing design, construction and financing on the project, which has an anticipated completion date for all phases in Q2 2015. When financing the project, NPE undercut the utilities rates in the area, taking no incentives and allowing TUSD to retain full ownership of the RECs, saving the district more than $11 million over a 20-year period. SPW
TUSD Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, May 13, 2014 with Superintendent H.T. Sánchez (center), NPE President Rob Dallal (far right) and other members of the school district.
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OO A Twist On The Garage Startup: Woodland Cabin Orem, Utah — The problem sounded like the beginning to a bad horror film: A dark cabin in the woods powered by nothing but a small generator. But solar power brightened the plot line. When Cecil and Norm Harrison, co-founders of Progressive Power Solutions (No. 211 Overall), sought an alternative to the noisy, unreliable, fuming generator powering the family cabin in the picturesque mountains of Central Utah, they considered grid-tied electric. When they discovered running utility wires would require some road construction and cost about $100,000, quickly they turned to solar. “Plus, no one wanted power lines to ruin the view,” Cecil says. In 2004, the Harrisons purchased three 75-W panels, a 1,500-W inverter, six golf cart batteries and a small charge controller. The initial installation produced 1 kW per day and had 3 kW of storage, enough for a two or three-day stay. But when a
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We realized most people did not have the expertise to do it themselves and we had already been through the process. We started out in the cabin and offgrid market, and have worked the company up to where it is today. 7 • 2014
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Transformers. Switchgear. Substations. Integrated Solutions. Automation. Engineering Services. CG is a global leader in electrical products and integrated solutions. Its products, solutions & services range from distribution & power transformers, to medium & high voltage switchgear, to SCADA & automation to complete turn-key substations & lines EPC solutions. CG has a proven track-record of on-time delivery & completion of an installed base of more than 20,000MW in North America, making CG one of the most reliable and preferred equipment & solution providers in the renewable market today.
Visit us at InterSolar NA in San Francisco at booth 8617 and at CIGRE in Paris at booth 354
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OO microwave and refrigerator were added, the system needed an upgrade. After a year of research and permitting, the brothers took a weekend to install eight Trojan T-105 batteries supplying 8 kW of storage and two panels totaling 300W, which produced 1.5 kW per day. They also changed the inverter to a Magnum Energy 3-kW pure sine wave. According to Cecil, the complete system cost $6,000. Cecil and Norm founded Progressive Power Solutions in 2006 after neighbors saw the success of their solar array and began asking “how to” questions. “We realized most people did not have the expertise to do it themselves and we had already been through the process,” says Norm. “We started out in the cabin and off-grid market, and have worked the company up to where it is today.” SPW
Cecil and Norm finished construction on their family cabin, pictured, in 2002 and installed the solar array in 2004.
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OO Solar’s Coming ‘Round The Mountain And To The Rescue Carbondale, Colo. – When Mountain Rescue Aspen, an all-volunteer organization dedicated to saving lives through back-country rescue and mountain safety education, decided to add solar to its new facility in May 2014, the non-profit turned to Sunsense (No. 246 Overall). Katherine Rushton, commercial sales and marketing for Sunsense, says the company received a call from the architects, who were looking for solar consultation expertise, at the design stage of the project. “Being a high snowfall region, it was important to have a steeper tilt angle on the south-facing roof, to encourage snow to slide off the panels in the winter,” says Rushton. Sunsense became the EPC contractor for the project, providing a codecompliant design, certified installers and full commissioning services. Known for giving back to the community, including solar installations on 10 Habitat for Humanity houses, Sunsense also provided low-cost solar equipment and donated all of the design time and labor to complete the 15.7-kW, roof-mounted PV system.
With 48, 327-W modules, the installation is said to prevent about 48,000 lbs. of CO2 from entering the atmosphere per year and provide free energy for the facility. The latter benefit is perhaps the most significant because it allows the volunteers, who raise the funds needed to sustain the facility through public donations and grant applications, to use that money for items of top priority, such as new equipment. “Sunsense has been in business for over 24 years and has completed projects ranging in size from 2-MW community gardens to 2-kW back country cabins,” Rushton says, “but the projects we find most gratifying are the ones that help support our local community and economy.” SPW
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Being a high snowfall region, it was important to have a steeper tilt angle on the south facing roof, to encourage snow to slide off the panels in the winter
Sunsense used SunPower SPR 327W modules for the new Mountain Rescue Aspen facility, still under construction.
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MIDWEST
The Wayne National Forest array maximizes energy production with its southfacing roof using high-power density modules and mounting clamps that allowed for a nonpenetrating installation.
CONTRACTORS ACROSS AMERICA
The Birds, The Bees And The Sun Two installers tethered to the roof with ropes and safety harnesses as they install SunPower SPR-205 solar panels.
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Athens, Ohio — In August 2009, Third Sun Solar (No. 135 Overall) installed a roof-mounted array at the Wayne National Forest headquarters and welcome center in Nelsonville, Ohio. The 51.6-kW array consists of 302 panels and is projected to supply 19% of the center’s energy usage. Third Sun Solar acted as the specialty contractor for the project, and partnered with The D.J. Group, a service disabled veteran-owned small business general contractor, for a portion of the project. The architect of the welcome center wanted the building to reflect a turn-of-thecentury style coal tipple as an homage to the community’s mining history. The design, coupled with the client’s goal of putting as much solar on the building as possible, posed specific challenges to the installation team. “The building itself has a relatively steep roof, and anytime we’re working on a steep pitch, it becomes that much more important to follow safety best practices,” says Geoff Greenfield, president of Third Sun Solar. “We used equipment as well www.solarpowerworldonline.com
as harnesses and ropes to complete the installation efficiently and safely.” “We ended up doing a solar installation on multiple angles facing multiple directions,” he continues. “We designed [the array] around multiple string inverters, so each could have its own maximum power point tracking calculation. By using multiple string inverters instead of one central inverter, we were able to get maximum power out of the array.” Additionally, the installation is achieving one of the center’s mission goals: public education. There’s a kiosk inside the welcome center entrance that explains how the electricity is generated and displays up-to-theminute readouts of how much power is being produced. Likewise, the enormity of the array puts solar in the minds of passing Ohioans. “It’s located right along the major highway that goes from Columbus to Athens, so everybody sees this striking solar array,” says Greenfield. “That helps us undo old myths about solar and [proves] that solar really works in Ohio. Anytime anybody sees solar, it encourages the industry as a whole.” SPW
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OO Powering The Countryside Ankeny, Iowa — Q&A With CB Solar (No. 203 Overall)
Solar Power World: How did CB Solar get started installing solar arrays on farms? Business Manager Todd Miller: Amazingly, we got started in the rural and farm market through a Craigslist ad we ran. We received a call from a hog and grain farmer in Washington County looking to lower operating costs. During our evaluation, we discovered the client needed 15 kW for the two hog confinement buildings and a 30-kW array for the shop, office and bin site. SPW: What challenges do you face when installing solar on farms? Miller: When installing on a farm, we are sure to use modules that have been rated and tested for ammonia as well as sealed connections. The fumes from ammonia can be intensely damaging to metals. We also fight dust from gravel roads and the animals themselves.
The clients of the turkey grower array cut costs of the fans, lights, grain handling systems and of the feed itself by decreasing the expense to dry it.
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OO SPW: What is CB Solar’s role in the installations? Miller: We like to know what goes into our installation so if a problem should ever arise, we can diagnose it fairly quickly. For that reason, we use all of our own installers. We handle all of the paperwork for our clients including cash flows for their CPAs and banks, as well as all interconnection paperwork for the utility. We order directly from the module, inverter and rail manufacturers so that we can pass our savings to our clients. SPW: How does solar benefit the farms? Miller: Farming is an ever-changing market in price, yields, production, etc. By fixing their electrical costs, farmers are able to lower their costs in the good and bad years.
Because of the ample roof space typical on hog and poultry farms, Miller says the majority of these installations are roof-mounted. This way the arrays are also out of the way of machinery.
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SPW: Do you have a favorite installation CB Solar has done? Miller: Our favorite installation is a 60-kW array at a turkey grower. We placed 200, 300-W modules on one building, which supply $12,000 a year in power to a brooder house, four growers and the grain drying system they use to feed the birds. SPW
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OO Seven-Alarm Solar Pewaukee, Wis. — Seven fire departments in Missouri are now harvesting the power of the sun, thanks to Wisconsin-based solar developer SunVest (No. 143 Overall). SunVest, a full-service solar electric installation company that has completed more than 500 installations totaling 7.5 MW across four states, reached out to the Boles Fire Protection District in Labadie and the Goldman Fire Protection District in Hillsboro. “Our sales people are trained to identify a good south-facing roof and then make contact with the owners of the building,” says Ryan Lettau, business manager at SunVest. Coincidentally, board director for the Boles Fire District, Harvey Dubbs, had previously spoken with SunVest about installing solar panels on his home. SunVest impressed Dubbs with the company’s ideas for going solar and he thought the district should research solar for the fire stations. The Boles Fire District features four of the six roof-mounted arrays, which were completed in September. Three of the installations are 25.5 kW, and the fourth is 19.6 kW, totaling 376 solar modules. “The roof mounted solar array was most beneficial for the district because of the layout of the stations for maximum energy received from the sun,” says Boles Fire District Chief Jim Casey. The Goldman Fire District arrays are 25.5 kW, 17.8 kW and 7.65 kW, and went online June 27 this year. Both fire departments noted a reduction in utility bills as a result of the array. “With the cost of everything going up, we needed some way to lower costs, and solar seemed like the best option for lowering utility payments,” says Gary Peters Goldman Fire District Chief. Lettau says the approval and installation processes for both projects went smoothly. “Since Jan. 1, we’ve completed 190 systems totaling more than 2,750 kW,” he says. “All the systems were under 65 kW, so this type of installation is something we do every day and have mastered in some sense.” SPW
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Boles Fire Protection District Chief Jim Casey and members of his squad outside the Labadie station.
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SOUTH CONTRACTORS ACROSS AMERICA
How To Shape And Influence Public Policy In Your State Metairie, La. — South Coast Solar (SCS) (No. 167 Overall) takes its commitment to the Louisiana solar industry seriously — and they work hard to make sure it grows for all installers. Since its founding in 2008, SCS has been at the forefront of shaping renewable policy in Louisiana, says Scott Oman, COO/CTO of SCS. The principals of the firm (Oman, Robert L. Suggs Jr. and C. Tucker Crawford) have been instrumental in crafting tax-credit law and rules, contractor licensing requirements and net-metering policy as intervenors at the Louisiana Public Service Commission. “We believe imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and we are proud to have set the standard as our industry has grown from only a handful to more than 200 solar companies statewide,” Oman says. “With each installation, we take 100
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pride in making a difference in the energy world and the improved quality of life of the customers we serve.” Oman says all solar contractors must be at least part-time lobbyists for several reasons: • It is definitely possible to create a solar market where none previously existed. He considers himself fortunate to be able to follow his dreams in his hometown of New Orleans. In large part, that’s because of the company’s activity on the policy front working with legislators to get these policies on the books. • Net-metering laws are currently under assault by utilities across the country. Without a unified effort by solar professionals and those who have invested in solar energy systems, it’s quite possible that solar customers www.solarpowerworldonline.com
could end up paying for being gridconnected. Why? Well, utilities are spreading the falsehood that the grid is being subsidized for them by nonsolar customers when in fact the exact opposite is true. • Solar professionals must fight for tough licensing and inspection requirements so that the reputation of solar as a long-lasting dependable energy source is not tarnished by systems that fail because of poor installation and commissioning practices. As a result of the company’s hard work, Oman says South Coast Solar puts clients in control of the cost and impact of their energy consumption — and it continues to fight for public policy that will help it — and the industry — continue to grow. SPW
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OO Successful Hiring Means Finding Team Players Stuart, Fla. — Liz Karschner, head of sales and marketing for Solar Electric Power Co. (better known as SEPCO) (No. 191 Overall) has worked for the company for nine years. In that time, she’s noticed that, unlike so many companies in the industry, few employees have left. Karschner believes she knows the reason. “When we are looking for a new addition to our team, we look for someone who fits well with our company culture and who can work cohesively with our current staff,” Karschner says. “We go through applications to find the Top 10 or so that have the skills for which we are looking.” If you are fortunate enough to be invited to an interview, expect a thorough grilling from the SEPCO team. There is no place at the company for people who are unwilling or unable to get along with the people with the rest of the team. After all, all it takes is one weak worker to put an entire installation crew in danger.
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“When we ask someone to come in for an interview, they don’t just meet one person — they are introduced and interviewed by everyone in the department in which they will be working most closely,” Karschner says. SOLAR POWER WORLD
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The company has continued to grow, and that’s in part because we make sure we’re choosing the right employees to add to our team. Team stability is unusual in this industry, and our stability is part of what makes us stand out. “We don’t think it makes sense to have only a handful of employees interview candidates,” she adds. “After all, the person will have to fit in with the culture and adhere to the standards others have set. It’s a rigorous process.” SEPCO also provides extensive — and potentially expensive — training. The company is careful about who it hires because they don’t want to spend all that money and then have to do it again in a year if the person isn’t the right fit. “What’s been thrilling for me is that everyone that was here when I started is still here,” Karschner says. SPW Unlike so many other installation firms in the industry, SEPCO puts its potential employees through a rigorous interview process. After all, all it takes is one weak worker to put an entire installation crew in danger.
Company Uses Social Media To Build Client Relationships New Orleans, La. — KDH Solar (No. 60 Overall), a rooftop residential solar manufacturer, believes social media has turned them into the powerhouse solar installer they are today. We asked President and CEO Robert Mendoza to explore how his company uses social media to build its reputation in the community — and spread the message about the advantages of solar power to the public at large. Solar Power World: With a company as big as KDH, how has social media helped your company? RM: KDH takes pride in the social good that renewable energy — specifically solar PV — creates for our local community. We wanted to connect with other companies and organizations with the same good intentions to share those stories, and we were able to make those connections most effectively through social media. It is this type of relationship building that has generated more recognition for KDH Solar. Solar Power World: What channels do you use, and what works best for you? RM: KDH Solar is active on both of its Facebook pages (one for KDH Solar and its another for its parent company KDH Builder) and its LinkedIn profile. Additionally, KDH has a local presence through its Google+ page. Solar Power World: Why have you chosen to get involved in social media? RM: KDH Solar primarily wanted to connect to its customers and the communities that support solar energy.
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KDH Solar primarily wanted to connect to its customers and the communities it serves. It has found the most effective and efficient way to do that is to be active on all social media channels.
On a proactive front, KDH Solar’s social media channels create forums for dialogue about the evolving landscape of renewable energy. Solar Power World: Is there a social media channel you think works better than another? RM: Facebook provides multiple outlets through which we touch our customers who are clearly using similar social networks. At any moment during any day, we can share a thought or engage our followers — and our customers are actively engaging with us. Solar Power World: Do you think social media will stick and why? RM: With the continued expansion of globalization, you need as many methods of connecting with your current customers and potential customers. We have found social media to be the easiest and most effective way to do it. Social media channels have become critical to the way our business works. SPW
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NORTHEAST CONTRACTORS ACROSS AMERICA
Long Island’s True ‘Solar Pioneer’ Wantagh, N.Y. – We spoke with Dan Sabia, founder of Built Well Solar (No. 223 Overall), to learn about his pioneering role in the beginning of Long Island’s solar energy industry. Solar Power World: Why do you think solar is so important? Sabia: As a retired U.S. Army officer with the rank of Major, I was called to Ground Zero after the Twin Towers fell because I have expertise in nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The Trade Center
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is minutes from Long Island — this attack took place in my backyard. After witnessing the devastation, I knew there had to be less dependence on foreign oil. I believe solar is the answer for America’s — and the planet’s — future. SPW: How did Built Well Solar begin? Sabia: The local utility was offering a “Solar Pioneer” financial incentive for people willing to install solar on the homes. It was an effort to relieve strain on the local grid, since Long Islanders have few local power plants and the utility has to buy energy elsewhere. I volunteered. Mine was the first 10-kW residential system on Long Island. With 30 years of general contracting and facilities management experience and a college degree in construction/ architecture, I was able to install the system on my home myself. Then I installed one on a friend’s home, then a neighbor’s, and so on. Before I knew it, I was in business. I also oversaw the first PV installation on a school district on Long Island. www.solarpowerworldonline.com
SPW: What challenges does your business encounter? Sabia: One of our challenges is to overcome myths about solar energy. The payback here is about 3.5 to 4.5 years for a PV purchase, but some customers think it will take 10 years or more. Customers sometimes think solar is expensive, so again we have to explain the facts: PV system costs have gone down a lot. And, on Long Island, we still have utility rebate incentives, a 30% federal tax credit, a property tax exemption, no sales tax on a residential purchase and a 25% New York State tax credit up to $5,000. All that makes solar affordable for homeowners. For businesses, it’s a no-brainer because of the added benefit of accelerated depreciation. There’s never been a better time to purchase a PV system on Long Island. SPW: What’s the Long Island solar business environment like? Sabia: When I started, I’d say it was like
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OO the Wild West. In 2001, there were just mine and one other solar company (the latter since folded, so ours is the only original). By 2010 there were about 50, many from out of town trying to capitalize on the utility incentives. Still, I never felt that it’s a competition. Our colleagues in the Long Island industry are a standup group of solid companies, many in business for some time now. We all work together for the common good. There are millions of rooftops on Long Island, and only about 9,000 have solar installations. There’s plenty of business for everyone. SPW: What’s it like working with your customers? Sabia: Most all of our customers are just the greatest people. Some of them fax me their electric bills every month, just to say thanks. Some invite me to speak to their children’s classes about solar. Some just stand there with a cup of coffee, watching their meters go backwards, and call me up to tell me about it. One customer who stands out is New York City police detective Steven McDonald. He was shot in July of 1986, which left him quadriplegic. His home was converted to all electric to accommodate an elevator, breathing, life support and other apparatus. We installed solar on his home, largely as a donation and a true labor of love. Meeting Steven was an inspiration. He is the most optimistic person I have ever met. It was a privilege to help him and his family. SPW
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OO Serving America With Solar Northfield, N.J. – After graduating from Harvard’s education program, Bill Driscoll studied comparative philosophy at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, planning to teach Buddhism as a college professor. But along the way Driscoll found another way he could make good money, ethically, and still benefit society: Renewables. “I care about where we get our energy,” Driscoll says. “Picking up a weapon goes against my non-violent perspective, but I know I can serve our country by installing solar and creating our own energy here at home.” After working two years installing for a solar roofing company, and then three years as VP of project development at another, Driscoll felt confident enough to go out on his own and founded Ocean Solar (No. 399 Overall) in 2011. His goal was to offer excellent customer service and a fair price while using American-made components. “Using American-made products is important,” he says. “We want the money flowing back into the American economy.” While Driscoll has someone helping out in the office, he’s pretty much a oneman-show. He focuses on development and material procurement, and contracts installers at a sister company for engineering and construction. Driscoll says he strives to obtain 20% ROI for his customers because without the economics they’re not going to pull the trigger. He’s able to achieve this with a federal tax credit and state renewable energy credits (currently $177 in New Jersey). But he says that in his state’s market it’s still possible to get customers 10% ROI a year or greater without the incentives. “I find that many companies aren’t adequately educating their customers 106
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on solar returns, when the returns should be a completely open book,” Driscoll says. “I think education is the main hindrance to solar catching like wildfire now. Coming from an education background, I know how important it is to the development of anything.” With seven years of solar experience and his knowledge of larger projects, Driscoll expects his consulting service to grow nationally, while continuing to carve out a niche developing projects within the Tri-State area. “People see solar as a global industry, but when it comes to any kind of home improvement or construction people look local,” Driscoll says. “They want someone who is going to come out and talk to them.” Driscoll finds inspiration in a 1931 quote from fellow New Jersey native Thomas Edison. He includes it at the bottom of his emails. “This technology has been around for a long time,” Driscoll says. “I think it’s important to give a nod to oil and gas companies who have taken our country to where it is in the last century, but now we’re smart enough and we know better. And instead of throwing their money into putting a negative spin on solar, why don’t they get behind it and learn how to make money from it?” SPW
Conversations With A Massachusetts Solar CEO Zaid Ashai, CEO, Nexamp Boston, Mass. – Solar Power World talked with Zaid Ashai, CEO of Nexamp. This is what we learned. Ashai’s Background: As is common with solar professionals, Zaid’s background is a bit eclectic. Al Gore was U.S. Vice President when he was in college, which helped cultivate his interest in climate change and environmental science. After graduation he worked on Wall Street covering technology and then got his MBA and MPA from Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He then went onto working in venture capital, where he invested in renewable energy and efficiency startups including Nexamp (No. 39 Overall). Following several years seeing the broader lifecycles of these companies through venture capital positions on their boards, Ashai found himself leading Nexamp, the company he had invested in and evolved with. Nexamp’s Background: Nexamp was founded by two Iraq war veterans who wanted to simplify renewable energy choices for customers. The company focuses on solar solutions for commercial clients, property owners and public entities. Its business model includes in-house development, EPC work and operations and maintenance. Company Values: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Passion, Environmental
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Stewardship, Acting As Owners Not Employees. “Grid parity is the goal. We want to do well financially while helping the environment. When I recruit candidates from college I ask them if they want to work on the next mobile app or if they want to make an impact on the biggest challenge of our generation: Climate change.” Lessons Learned: Last year’s aggressive winter challenged Nexamp as it installed 21 MW — mostly large ground-mount installations — in extreme temperatures with snow cover, and flooding from
freezing and thawing. Low temperatures caused safety and productivity concerns. But Nexamp was able to address these with UV-heated trailers and shutting down the site completely if it jeopardized worker safety. Nexamp also worked with its contractors to take preparative measures in an indoor warehouse to optimize construction in the field. “We also learned how to design a site that will survive,” Ashai says. “Leaving a muddy mess is unacceptable.” Nexamp learned how to standardize solutions for different types of sites and control erosion with vegetation. Also, its in-house quality assurance team, an extension
of its operations and maintenance department, helps the company learn from and avoid issues while preparing for post-installation care. “Variability of seasons is getting worse with time. We’re seeing the impact of climate change and unfortunately you have to prepare for it.” SPW
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Solaire Generation Q&A
White Paper Roundup • Ecolibrium Solar • DPW Solar • GameChange Racking • And more!
Unirac Time Study PanelClaw Fire Tests Introducing Spice Solar Mounting Without Frames
Photo courtesy of Array Technologies, Inc.
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Q&A RACKING & MOUNTING
Solar On Parking Garages:
Q&A With David Froelich, Director Of Business Development At Solaire Generation A 684-kW system at Staples’ headquarters in Framingham, Mass., uses Solaire Generation’s Long Span R5. This was Solaire Generation’s first garage-top installation.
Solar Power World: Solaire Generation focuses garage’s existing column grid because a column cannot be dropped indiscriminately. This poses on solar structures and solar carport projects. a challenge because each garage is fairly unique. How big of a market is solar for garage Also, garages cannot handle the weight of typical structures in particular? installation equipment, so the installation of the David Froelich: There are no published structure is done by crane. Crane access around numbers on the garage top market that we’ve the garage, then, becomes a critical issue. seen, but our experience indicates that it is a growing segment in the solar carport market. SPW: Because the solar system could be many This is due in part to the appeal of using space dozens of feet above ground, are wind loads a that cannot be redeveloped, as opposed to a greater issue? ground parking lot or greenfield. DF: Yes, they can be. Garages are designed SPW: Must a solar structure be integrated with to handle dead load, but not moment, so the the original design of a parking garage, or can structures need to be engineered accordingly. one be added later? SPW: Clearly garage-top solar offers protection DF: The solar structure can be added later, as from the elements for top-floor parkers, but has been the case with many of our garage what other benefits have you seen? installations. If the solar structure is taken into DF: I’ll start with the obvious: electricity to the consideration as part of the original design, building. But beyond that, we can integrate water there can be some cost savings during garage management systems to repurpose storm water, preparation and construction of the canopies. and the coverage can reduce the amount of snow SPW: Which of Solaire Generation’s products is that falls onto the garage deck, so it improves site maintenance. most applicable to parking garages and why? DF: The Long Span R5 is specifically designed SPW: Finally, in your experience, what convinces for garage top applications, as it can span the clients to apply solar to a parking garage? entire width of the parking bays – typically DF: At the end of the day, the decision comes around 60 feet. down to the bottom line. It has to make sense financially, which, thanks to the continually falling SPW: What are the greatest technical cost of solar and state and federal incentives, it challenges for garage-top solar? does in many places across the country. SPW DF: The parking structure needs to tie into the 1 1 0 SOLAR POWER WORLD
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DNV GL Verifies Installation Speed Of Unirac’s Roof Mount A trend toward third-party verification of solar mounting installation speed is becoming more prominent in the industry. Verification reinforces marketing claims and, due to the informational nature of time-trial reports, gives both manufacturer and consumer knowledge about how a system came together and whether there were any problems. Unirac, a provider of PV mounting solutions, is among the most recent companies to acquire third-party verification. PV Evolution Labs (PVEL), now DNV GL, conducted a PV module installation time-trial of Unirac’s RM Roof Mount racking system. The time trial evaluated the installation efficiencies of the RM Roof Mount system both qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitative information included installer feedback. Each installation of three identical systems was timed to establish successive installation metrics. According to the report, installers found RM’s ease of installation to be more favorable when compared to other products with which they had worked, although the report doesn’t specify which ones. Installers also said system grounding is efficient with grounding at a single point, a large contributing factor to installation speed.
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7/25/14 6:22 PM
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RACKING & MOUNTING The installation crew had previous experience installing flat-roof PV module mounting systems but no previous exposure to Unirac’s system, according to the study. The only resource used by the crew was the RM Roof Mount installation manual, improving their learning curve over the three installations. Unirac received verification from DNV GL that its Roof Mount
installation speed is 12 modules per man hour, which the company says is an industry leading standard. “Step by step third party installation data takes the guesswork out of installation costs for our customers,” says Michael Kennedy, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Unirac. “Best of all, these metrics beat all competitive marketing claims, saving our customers time and money on the job site.” SPW
PanelClaw’s Flat-Roof Mount Passes Fire Testing At UL PanelClaw says Polar Bear III leverages 400 MW of amassed project experience. “We needed a solution that meets the same high-quality and service advantages PanelClaw is known for, but at a more competitive price,” says Colleen Ayres, Marketing Director at PanelClaw.
Earlier this year, PanelClaw introduced Polar Bear III, a flat-roof mounting system aimed at driving down the cost of solar. According to PanelClaw, Polar Bear III took the best aspects of its existing flat-roof portfolio and combined them into a single platform with competitive pricing. Now PanelClaw announces that the system has successfully completed systemlevel fire testing at Underwriters Laboratories to UL 1703 and UL 2703. The system-level test was developed through a collaboration of UL’s 1703 and 2703 technical committees. “Our collaboration with UL will not only make permitting easier in California, where new fire regulations for commercial rooftop PV will soon go into effect, it will also ensure that modules and mounting system manufacturers have the ability to demonstrate the performance of their products at a 1 1 2 SOLAR POWER WORLD
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system level to their customers and AHJ’s,” says Mark Gies, VP of Reliability and Compliance at PanelClaw. In an industry driven by cost, it is imperative that companies properly invest in developing products that are safe and reliable. Several mounting companies have expressed concern about systems that lack appropriate tests and engineering, as the industry faces real dangers posed by cheap products designed to meet up-front cost requirements at the expense of long-term performance. “PanelClaw is here to lead by example,” says Constantino Nicolaou, CEO of PanelClaw. “Anyone can develop a cheap mounting system fairly fast. The real challenge is developing a cost-effective system that is designed to last 25 plus years.” SPW
Unirac’s RM Roof Mount consists of two major components. Fewer components in a racking system is likely to lead to faster installation times.
Spice Solar Introduces Built-In Racking System Spice Solar introduced rail-less solar modules and mounting components that directly attach to a roof at Intersolar North America. The technology integrates racking into the frames of modules, and according to Spice Solar, that means 50% fewer parts on the roof and reduced equipment and labor costs. “We had an absolutely terrific rollout at Intersolar North America,” says Barry Cinnamon, CEO and Cofounder of Spice Solar. He says more than 500 people attended a product demonstration. Founded by the team that introduced the industry’s first module with integrated racking, Spice Solar improves on previous generations with a snap-together design that reduces parts costs, allows easy portrait and landscape installation, and permits the removal of a module from the middle of an array for simpler operations and maintenance. The Spice Solar frame with Built-In-Racking is integrated directly into the modules at the factory. SPW
A crew works to install Spice Solar Certified modules on a rooftop. Spice Solar technology integrates racking into the frames of modules, reducing equipment and labor costs.
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
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RACKING & MOUNTING
Racking And Mounting White Paper Roundup
Array Technologies has mounted more glass-onglass thin-film modules on trackers than any other company using a patentpending racking system.
Looking to learn about an issue in-depth? Solar companies often publish white papers that take a deep dive into relevant subjects, which provide information to installers and demonstrate a company’s expertise. Below are a few recent white papers we liked. Seismic Standards: Now And In The Future When dealing with seismic issues, which of these standards should be referenced: the IBC, ASCE, CBC or SEAOC? The solar industry has long struggled to develop a design methodology standard that mitigates seismic impact on low-sloped rooftop PV systems. However, recent technical publications and enhanced design methodologies have provided solutions to this difficult issue. This white paper from Ecolibrium Solar explains the technical aspects and provides insight into the near future.
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Finding The Right Foundation Foundation selection is critical for a costeffective installation of ground-mounted PV support structures. Inadequate investigation of subsurface conditions can lead to selection of the wrong foundation type and can result in costly change orders and delays to the job completion date. This white paper from GameChange Racking details how to conduct a proper investigation.
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Ensuring Long-Lasting Roof Mounts “The Importance Of Reliable Solar Mounting Systems,” co-authored by Cinnamon Solar, Solar Marketing Group, HatiCon Solar, Quick Mount PV and Orion Solar Racking, details information about how to ensure long-lasting and safe solar roof mounts. The information is based on the companies’ collective experience and the detailed study of 20 decade-old rooftop installations.
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Three Steps To Prevent Galling Galling is a misunderstood phenomena that few take the time to learn about. This white paper from DPW Solar will help you and your employees understand galling – not only how and why it occurs, but also how to prevent it. SPW
Array Technologies: Mounting Frameless Modules On Trackers
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Mounting thin-film solar panels is a growing trend in the solar industry. Although these panels are typically installed on fixed-tilt racks, they are also becoming increasingly popular in utility-scale solar tracking sites. This is especially true in the Southwest United States because thin-film modules have a higher temperature coefficient which gives them an energy-yield advantage in warmer climates. Solar tracking technology also has a record of superior performance and higher energy gains in the Southern states, leading to competitive LCOE rates. In addition to this natural trend, the recent announcement of U.S.imposed tariffs on Chinese module manufacturers will lead investors and project developers alike to look for alternative sourcing solutions in order to meet project deadlines and move pipelines forward. One potential option is the application of thin-film modules manufactured in the United States. Currently, the largest producer of this type of technology is First Solar. At various sites around the country, Array Technologies’ DuraTrack HZ single-axis solar tracker system has supported 290 MW of thin-film modules. By design,
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these glass-on-glass thin-film modules are frameless. What changes when you have to take this into consideration? While the torque tube and gearbox structure of the tracker remain identical, framed modules do not require special supports or custom designed clips for attachment. Frameless thin-film modules require support at specific locations. To install these at the lowest possible price and support them properly, custom racks must be specifically designed to each module make and model. For Mt. Signal Solar, the largest thin-film solar tracking facility in North America, Array Technologies designed a custom tracker structure, including a patent-pending racking system created specifically for frameless thinfilm modules. The system is extremely rigid to prevent module damage while including an assembly that allows for rapid deployment on-site, a minimization of materials to keep costs down and assembly tools to reduce install time in the field. Rapid install times are key, especially at a utility-scale sites with possibly millions of thin-film modules to install, as was the case at Mt. Signal Solar. SPW Article courtesy of Array Technologies, Inc.
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OO [CONTRACTORS CORNER]
The Silver Linings Of Superstorm Sandy Top Contractor Survives Devastating Storm, Continues To Grow Business By Steven Bushong, Associate Editor
In October 2012, EmPower Solar was on its way to a record year. Positive stories about the economic and environmental benefits of solar had radiated across New York, and EmPower had a full pipeline of projects, many of them for commercial clients. When warnings about Hurricane Sandy surfaced, CEO David Schieren did what he always does when storms approach. He protected EmPower’s infrastructure. He sandbagged the doors. He lifted electrical equipment from the ground. The company office was about two miles from shore, in Island Park, N.Y., and eight feet above sea level. Relying on experience from other storms, Schieren thought the office would be fine. “The surge was just too powerful and too high,” Schieren says. The swell reached 13 feet, and water breached the office doors and eclipsed the desks. The storm destroyed $300,000 worth of documents and power tools, EmPower’s inventory of panels and inverters and six work trucks. “It was devastating for us, mainly because the feeling of displacement and not having order in life is very discouraging,” Schieren says. After the storm passed, EmPower needed to take action. Inverters inundated with salt water are in danger of arcing, which can start a fire. In the midst of destroyed offices and trucks, destruction and displacement, the company had to meet with 200 clients in the storm-surge area. They were at risk of fire. Technicians set out in personal vehicles to ensure the safety of customers’ homes and businesses. In three days, workers found 40 submerged inverters, which were disconnected and 114
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repaired. Then the company turned attention to itself. “We couldn’t do our installation work. We couldn’t finish our pipeline. Contracts canceled. We couldn’t sell,” Schieren says. “Certainly we were hurt and scarred, but there is a very big positive. There is a strengthening that has occurred.” In the days and weeks following Sandy, Schieren’s staff transformed from solar professionals into salvagers and cleaners. Employees worked from “satellite offices,” which were, in fact, other team member’s homes. In what could have been a permanently debilitating crisis – as it was for many New England businesses – the team came together, united under the mission of EmPower Solar. “My business partner, Greg Sachs, and I care very deeply about our mission,” Schieren says. “We believe that we’re working on a solution to improve the quality of life, to help us get through storms, to stabilize the grid. This commitment and passion comes through to everyone at the team. They know we have this singular vision, and they buy into it.” “But also, our team inspired us with their dedication,” Schieren says. “All of our employees stepped up and demonstrated a special level of commitment that kept us going.” Seven weeks after Sandy slammed ashore, EmPower returned to its rebuilt offices. New trucks arrived. The company relied upon years of excellent customer service and established business relationships to keep its doors open and continue installing solar. Schieren says he recognizes a few silver linings in his experience with Sandy. Broadly, the New York region is rebuilding
Superstorm Sandy destroyed the contents of the EmPower Solar offices in Island Park, N.Y.
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[CONTRACTORS CORNER]
Inspired by a company mission, the staff of EmPower Solar came together after Superstorm Sandy, ensuring their continued success.
in a more sustainable way. Resiliency is a major topic. Solar arrays are more often coupled with battery backup. Even EmPower Solar is building for resiliency. Its new Solar Design Center P118 8.5 x 4.75 HORIZONTAL EL ad.pdf
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includes panels and a battery backup, and it’s above the floodplain height. The company has also moved to become a paperless office. 4/18/14
EmPower’s new Solar Design Center.
New York is building in preparation for the next big storm with the help of solar contractors. The positive story about solar continues, and so does EmPower. SPW
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OO [AD INDEX] Allied Moulded Products, Inc..................................... 13 APS America...................................................................11 Arkema, Inc....................................................................29 Baja Construction Co, Inc.......................................... 55 CG....................................................................................93 Chint Power Systems America.................................... 4 CohnReznick................................................................... 7 Crown Battery............................................................... 14 CS Hyde Company......................................................95 DPW Solar...................................................................... 97 Dunkermotor, part of AMETEK.................................... 2 Ecolibrium Solar.........................................................105 Enphase..........................................................................66 ET Solar Inc....................................................................23 FESTO................................................................................1 Fronius USA LLC...........................................................89 GameChange Racking................................................ 31 Hanwha SolarOne U.S.A.............................................25 HatiCon Solar, LLC.......................................................99 JA Solar USA, Inc........................................................ IFC Jinko Solar..................................................................... 91 Kipp & Zonen USA Inc.................................................94 Maxwell Technologies, Inc......................................... 79
Megger..............................................IBC, Cover Corner Mounting Systems, Inc................................................ 75 Moxa, Inc........................................................................43 Multi-Contact............................................................... 51 Omco Solar................................................................... 17 Quick Mount PV.........................................................108 QuickScrews International Corp................................. 5 RBI Solar, Inc.................................................................59 Renewable NRG Systems...........................................63 Roof Tech.....................................................................103 S-5!................................................................................ 101 Schletter Inc.................................................................. 19 Seaward Group USA....................................................39 Simpleray, LLC..............................................................45 Solectria Renewables, LLC.........................................83 Solmetric Corporation................................................ 57 SPI (Solar Power International).................................111 SunBandit.......................................................................35 Swinerton Renewable Energy...................................49 SynapseWireless........................................................... 37 TRIM-LOK, Inc............................................................. 115 Ultrasolar........................................................................98 Unirac, Inc..................................................................... BC Zilla................................................................................107
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