Solar Power World — JULY 2018 by WTWH Media LLC

July 2018 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

Technology • Development • Installation

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July 2018 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

Technology • Development • Installation

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THE FIRST WORD

THANK YOU TO OUR 2018 ADVISORY BOARD

Thanks to our 2018 Top Solar Contractors!

Azimuth Energy

When the majority of recent solar headlines have been about panel tariffs, company restructurings and policy swings, we at Solar Power World were relieved to focus on something more positive: the stories coming from the industry’s true backbone of installers, developers and contractors. Welcome to our 2018 Top Solar Contractors issue! Now in our seventh year, the entire Solar Power World team enjoys catching up with our hundreds of contractor friends as we prepare the annual Top Solar Contractors list. We heard stories about surviving Hurricane Irma with no damage to solar arrays, building projects around wild animals and more than a few mergers and expansions. The last year has been anything but boring, and we try to highlight installation companies with unique perspectives on a crazy news-filled industry.

GenPro Energy Solutions Main Street Solar Michigan Solar Solutions NC Solar Now Palomar Solar Yes Solar Solutions

SolarPowerWorld team

The

Ke l s e y M i s br e n e r @SolarKelseyM

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You may notice a few big names missing from our list this year and see we’re only featuring 450 companies. Since this list recognizes the previous year’s installation numbers, many companies did not want to broadcast their 2017 dips in installations after 2016’s explosive year. A number of companies told us that 2018 will be a better installation year, and they’ll be ready to apply in 2019. We’re very happy to hear that you all are in the middle of an installation heyday, and we look forward to celebrating those numbers in 2019. In the meantime, it’s time to dig in to the 2018 Top Solar Contractors issue. We hope you enjoy our extended features on installers across the country. Any time we don’t have to read the word “tariff” is a good day in our books! Congratulations to all contractors involved this year! You are the reason we even have stories to write and an industry to be proud of. See everyone at the Top Solar Contractors Gala in the fall! SPW

Kel l y Pi c kerel @SolarKellyP

Kat h ie Zipp @S ola rStora g eKZ

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Follow the whole team on Twitter @SolarPowerWorld

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Technology • Development • Installation

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July 2018 • vo l 8 n o 4 w w w. so l ar po w e r w o r l d o n l i n e .co m

ON THE COVER ON THE COVER The 2018 Top Solar Contractors class saw both personal and business growth in 2017, and their pride shows. We’re thrilled to celebrate their achievements in our annual list. Make sure to read our special features!

SOLAR POWER WORLD

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10 54 75 100 4 FIRST WORD Welcome to the 2018 Top Solar Contractors list! 10 LET’S GET ORGANIZED! An organized business is a successful business

12 WOMEN IN SOLAR Leaders explain why women are thriving in solar 16 PRICING TRANSPARENCY Advertising system prices online helps secure customers

20 CONTRACTORS BY THE NUMBERS 25

TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS LIST

98 TOP CONTRACTOR AWARDS See who’s our Greenest and Most Forward Thinking contractors 104 AD INDEX

66 TOP DEVELOPERS 68 TOP ROOFTOP CONTRACTORS

48 TOP UTILITY CONTRACTORS

72 TOP INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTORS

50 TOP COMMERCIAL CONTRACTORS

74 TOP ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTORS

54 TOP RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTORS

75 CONTRACTORS BY STATE

60 TOP EPCs

89 CONTRACTORS ACROSS AMERICA

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Let’s get organized!

MY FIRST JOB

in high school was working as a page at my local library. I shelved books either alphabetically or numerically according to the Dewey Decimal System. I picked up discarded DVDs and put them back in their place. I “shelf-read,” taking down entire sections of books to make sure they were in the correct order. I ate bags of potato chips and cookies from the breakroom vending machine every day because I had a 16-yearold’s metabolism. I loved that job. I miss that job. Though I’ve cut down on chips, organizing and making sense of data will always thrill me. I actually enjoy going through hundreds of applications for our Top Solar Contractors list, matching installation records across multiple platforms. My life every March through May is a blur of Excel formulas, and I couldn’t be happier― especially because I know the work I’m doing is important to recognizing your installation efforts in a fair and complete way. I wish everyone else felt the same. In response to requests for more vetting to verify the integrity of submissions, we listened and decided to require proof of projects to support kilowatt claims this year. Though many companies praised this move and easily abided, some seemed to be sent into panicked frenzies. “You want what? How do I figure this out?” they asked when faced with providing project sizes, locations and completion dates― seemingly basic information. “We don’t keep records like that because we’re far too busy installing solar,” said others who only work on three residential projects a month. The large majority of you pulled together project information quickly and easily, and I Ke l l y P i cke r e l want to say thank you,

E di t o r i n C h i e f kpickerel@wtwhmedia.com @ S o l a r Ke l l y P

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and ask, when’s the next Organized Professionals meeting? I’ll bring the baked goods. For those solar companies that were thrown off and had a tougher time, I’m honestly concerned. Besides just pleasing us each spring when it’s Top Solar Contractors season, having organized records is essential to billing, scheduling site visits and operating as an efficient, profitable business. And you don’t have to spring for an expensive CRM platform to get organized. Pickett Solar (No. 101) inputs data like permit numbers, NEM inspection dates, project locations and kilowatt sizes into its own Excel sheet that is accessible to all employees. This allows everyone in the company to see each project’s status and know what still needs to be accomplished. “The challenges of navigating through utility interconnections and municipalities constantly changing requirements is tougher than ever,” said Jeff Gatzka, solar department manager for Pickett Solar. “Whether we’re building a small residential system or a multimillion-dollar commercial array, it still needs to be managed in an efficient and thorough manner.” For those looking for a little more guidance, Salesforce is a common CRM platform used in many industries, including solar. Leslie Gaynor, director of marketing and inside sales for Clean Solar (No. 227), said the company uses Salesforce to help move decisions forward internally, like when to follow up with a prospect.

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“It basically serves as our data repository,” she said. “We enter all client information into Salesforce, and because Salesforce is broken into fields and you can run reports based on fields, that makes it easy.” When C-TEC Solar (No. 111) started in 2011, the company used a free CRM program that had limited functions. Jeff Pipeling, director of business development, said after C-TEC’s first 50 projects, they quickly found that a more advanced program like Salesforce would help move projects along more accurately. “Everything we do is in Salesforce, organized step by step so nothing gets missed,” he said. “It is essential to our business and responsiveness with accurate information which ultimately gives a good customer experience.” C-TEC uses Salesforce’s Enterprise edition (advertised online at $150/month) which provides logins for everyone on the sales team and even subcontractors. Each project is tracked, and plug-ins keep record of contracts, permits, billing, sales reports, operations and more. “We use it for every step of the sale from proposal generation, site survey scheduling, automatic email reminders for appointments, updates on when documents are submitting, to creating and signing contracts, interconnections and applications for state incentives and permits,” Pipeling said. I’m not asking everyone to go out and purchase an expensive organizing platform (we use free Google documents here at Solar Power World to track our editorial progress). I just would like to see installation companies get organized the best way they can. Even if you don’t share my passion for sifting through data, staying organized will help you fulfill yours―successfully growing your business and the solar industry at the same time. SPW

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7 solar leaders share why solar is a great industry for women

I COUNTED

―out of 450 solar contracting companies on our 2018 Top Solar Contractors list, only 24 have women listed as CEOs. That isn’t to say women don’t hold other executive roles or make up other staff, but it does say something about the need for diversity in the solar industry. According to the 2017 Solar Jobs Census from The Solar Foundation, women make up just 27% of the solar workforce. Working on an almost entirely woman-led team at Solar Power World, I wanted to hear why other women got into solar and and how we can encourage more to get involved. Before becoming COO, Tanya Strickford grew up through the ranks of SunPower by Positive Energy Solar (No. 204), progressing from a field installer to crew lead, crew manager and operations manager. She loves working in solar and being part of a diverse group of people at the table, all working to solve problems that will impact the future. Strickford wants to bring her peers to the industry by leading through example.

“I don’t think the power of this can be overestimated,” she said. “Women applicants see themselves represented and likely feel more motivated and welcomed. As a company, we’ve hosted Women In Solar Energy (WISE) events to introduce women to the vast opportunities within the industry and show a familiar face. Positive Energy Solar has also had a strong commitment to our community, supporting STEM education throughout New Mexico and encouraging women to get involved.” Ivy Gilbert was asked to help a solar start-up when she worked as a business consultant and ended up acquiring it and becoming CEO of IQ Power (No. 296). Her passion grew as she discovered the possibilities that solar offered. Gilbert said it’s important to allow others to try something new and maybe discover their passion for solar too. So she didn’t waste any time when a marketer showed interest in transitioning to installation.

Kat h ie Zipp C on t rib u t in g Ed it or kzipp@wt wh med ia .com @S ola rStora g eKZ

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“We immediately set her up for training with our installation and service department where she went on installs and service calls until she was competent enough to handle service calls alone,” she said. “She enjoyed the work.” There’s a job on the roof for anyone with a passion and good work ethic. Kristin Underwood, co-owner of Planet Earth Solar (No. 281), was working for the EPA when she realized she couldn’t work behind a desk for the rest of her life. She likes that solar allows her to be outdoors and physically see what she has accomplished each day. She encourages companies to hire and mentor a diverse workforce. “Men and women come at problems differently and by having other viewpoints and perspectives, you give your company an advantage by having more solutions to all the challenges that can come up in a typical day,” she said. “But just hiring women is not enough. I would encourage company leaders to also look out for them and encourage and mentor them. This industry can be hard on women, so women in solar need both women and men to champion their success.” Katharine Kent, president of The Solar Store (No. 344), helped start the business 20 years ago, then eventually bought the company and became the sole owner. She also studied nuclear and energy engineering and encourages her peers to enter STEM industries. “Women in general should consider STEM industries. There are great paths to professional and personal development,” she said. “Solar is important work for the future and it feels good at the end of the day knowing your efforts are reducing the carbon footprint of our customers.” Kathy Miller worked in corporate America, founded several preschools and even flipped houses before cofounding Yes Solar Solutions (No. 238). She loves working in customer-owned solar because she gets to see the difference it makes in people’s lives and businesses. Miller tries to share that passion with her interns, while giving them real-world experience in solar. She advises companies to look past the gender and color of applicants and think about building a successful team first. 7 • 2018

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“Don’t sell yourself short by ignoring the opportunity to create a better team by considering more than the gender or color of an applicant,” she said. If I get a good resume, I interview that person even if we have no openings.” Galina Kofchock had a drafting background from college, so when she opened Osceola Energy (No. 240), she took on all the proposals, designs, permitting, financing, bookkeeping, payroll and other clerical tasks. This in-depth knowledge of the business has helped her become a successful CFO. She said she would love to see more diverse installers in the field. “Entry-level field jobs usually pay more than entry-level office jobs so it is a fantastic way to provide for a family,” she said. “Women can offer a unique perspective to the work and usually pick up on different aspects of an installation that another male installer may overlook. I think this type of work is very empowering and I would really like to see more women give it a chance.” Sheryl Lane found solar by accident. When her boyfriend at the time was let go from his solar installation job, she paired her entrepreneurial and marketing experience with his contractor’s license and started Earth Electric (No. 388). She brings a holistic attitude to her work every day and to the solar industry as a whole. “I see women as the ones asking the tough questions and the ones who consider our planet above ROI and the bottom line,” she said. “That’s the real minority in this industry. I think we could use more solar goddesses―yes, that’s the title on my business card.” SPW

Read more in our full

Q&A

solarpowerworldonline.com

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Know your audience when it comes to pricing transparency

THE FIRST STEP

for a homeowner interested in solar is usually a Google search to learn the basics, including how much it will cost. But it’s often difficult to find pricing information on residential solar installers’ websites. In many cases, it seems installers want customers to pick up the phone to get logistical information. But are consumers willing to take that step? Online solar marketplaces like EnergySage shed more light on pricing information, and as a result, have become increasingly popular. Yet many installers are frustrated with these services, saying they yield large numbers of window shoppers and waste company time crafting quotes for people who won’t end up completing the transaction. In the right situations, sharing more pricing information up front could help solar installers close more deals and cut down on wasted time. Customer acquisition remains a challenge for solar installers. In EnergySage’s “2017 Solar Installer Survey,” 37% of solar installer survey respondents said customer acquisition became more difficult in 2017, a 5% increase compared to 2016. I talked to three of our Top Solar Contractors to learn more about the business strategy around pricing transparency and how it impacts their solar sales. Full disclosure Icon Solar Power (No. 273), based in Ohio, takes the most transparent route when it comes to solar pricing, but it didn’t start off that way. Zach Wieber, director of operations, said Icon Solar initially shied away from giving price information

Ke l s e y M i s br e n e r S e n i o r E di t o r kmisbrener@wtwhmedia.com @ So l a r Ke l s e y M

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up front because it feared prospective customers wouldn’t see solar benefits past the price tag. “By doing all that, and avoiding the price and avoiding the cost, our main goal was, ‘Let’s get the sales reps out there, let them talk to [the customers] so they can understand this better,’” Wieber said. “That actually held us back more than helping us sell our systems.” Leaving pricing information out created a new problem—salespeople would drive to prospects’ homes to give presentations to people who thought solar was “free”—the strategy often used to sell leases and loans. Icon Solar sells all its systems to own, so “free” systems aren’t an option. Homeowners would be shocked when salespeople outlined the out-of-pocket system cost and often were in no position to buy. So Icon Solar adjusted its strategy. It added an example cost breakdown online for homeowners to get a general idea of the investment needed for systems that offset 99% of electricity, 49% and 33%. “We went to the other side of the fence there, instead of giving somebody no information, we want them to be as educated as they can so that they know that when we come out there, it’s not free. That there is an investment associated with doing solar,” Wieber said. Wieber said the online estimates help to dismiss some of the misconceptions people have when considering solar, and this online transparency helps Icon Solar better target sales calls and sell more systems. Keeping it covered Sunny Energy (No. 157) in Arizona has found it’s more effective for the company to keep the pricing conversation one-on-one rather than publishing that information online. Chris Wood, director of business

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development, has been in the solar industry for about 10 years, so he said he has a good idea of what sales tactics work or don’t work in his market. “Customers are very curious and hungry for information about solar, but they really don’t have a very good grasp on the nuanced part of the business,” Wood said. “If you just post a price online, it tends to be a race to the bottom.” Wood said customers usually don’t understand things like kilowatt hours or different technologies. He thinks if prices were listed on the site, the customer would likely just focus on numbers rather than other factors and benefits. “I’m happy to share high-level general pricing with customers—give them a range—but to really dial it in, I like to have a conversation so I can

explain the technology, the warranty, the company behind it, as opposed to just, ‘You’re buying a commodity and here’s the fixed price,’” Wood said. Sunny Energy offers an online quote tool where customers can enter their home information including roof type, utility company and annual consumption, then receive a phone call from a Sunny Energy representative to get a quote. “Of course, that quote is still subject to a physical site inspection of the property to make sure the roof, electrical system and shading considerations are all suitable for installing a PV system,” Wood said. Wood said Sunny Energy is not the cheapest installer in the area, but it’s not the most expensive either. So the company emphasizes the value of its systems over price.

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Customers are very curious and hungry for information about solar, but they really don’t have a very good grasp on the nuanced part of the business. Icon Solar Power’s online cost breakdown example.

7 • 2018

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“I know some other companies that avoid the topic of price at all costs because they know they’re the most expensive in the market,” Wood said. “Obviously, I think that business model is flawed as well.” Wood said Arizona has a mature solar market and most residents know someone who has a solar home. Because so many homeowners have solar, he thinks word of mouth and positive online reviews are more helpful in closing deals than pricing transparency.

get window quotes online without anybody being to your house. You don’t get a painter giving you a quote without going to your house.” Still, Parr said there are always improvements to be made in solar sales. “I would agree that the industry has been probably overly hesitant or reluctant or hasn’t spent the money necessary to build the tools to give customers the right information,” Parr said. “We care about doing a quality job. We don’t feel as though we can give

a more accurate picture of potential cost savings instantly. The company is testing customer conversion rates and has found so far that customer satisfaction is highest when salespeople call to discuss the generated quote. “We are probably missing priceconscious consumers whose primary driver is cost per watt, but from experience, those customers tend to consume more resources, yield smaller systems and generate less profit,” Parr said. For this reason, Parr said Solar Technologies will keep its primary focus on customers that value quality over low prices. The industry appears split on how to balance satisfying consumer appetite for transparent pricing information with ensuring that price doesn’t overshadow all the benefits of going solar. By paying close attention to the buying patterns of consumers in an installer’s specific market, solar companies can zero-in on target audiences and adapt sales techniques and pricing strategies to fit each unique market. SPW

Solar Technologies offers a solar calculator on its website.

Still figuring it out Jeff Parr, president of Bay Area company Solar Technologies (No. 125), said online solar marketplaces exist because the industry has done a poor job adapting to consumer needs. However, he also thinks adding solar to a home should not be much different from other large home improvement projects. “From my perspective, I believe that we are glorified garage door installers on the residential side,” Parr said. “I mean, you don’t go online and

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customers a one-size-fits-all price and try and box them into a contract or an online tool without going out there to see them, to meet them, to see their home.” Solar Technologies attempts to meet customers halfway with an online solar price calculator that requests their average monthly electric bill, roof type, amount of shade and more and then generates an estimate prior to any salesperson setting foot on the person’s property. Parr said they may build the tool out even further to give customers

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Battery Preference

Solar Panel Choice

Lithium-ion was the most common storage solution out of 61 Top Contractors.

Crystalline silicon panels still reign as the most-installed modules, despite tariffs.

AGM

Other

Bifacial

AC or smart module

Lead acid

Thin-film

Conventional crystalline silicon

Lithium-ion

Solar Tariffs The majority of Top Contractors who responded to the survey found the 30% solar tariffs are either already affecting their business or are expected to.

54%

Subcontractors 231 out of 450 Top Solar Contractors use subcontractors.

99 20

Commercial

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Number of contractors that use subcontractors

7 â&#x20AC;˘ 2018

Residential

Utility

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Solar Segments Most Top Contractors are busy with commercial and residential markets.

157

Mounting Preference

Work Utility

Most solar contractors stick with traditional mounting for sloped roofs.

343

408

Work Residential

Work Commercial

Solar Training 3

Rail-less Other

Shared Rail

Railed/Traditional

More than half of the respondents are doing their part to help rectify the solar skilled labor shortage by offering some type of training program or internship for new talent.

56%

NABCEP Certification 321 out of 450 contractors have NABCEP credentials.

Utility

Number of contractors that have NABCEP credentials

Commercial

Residential

7 â&#x20AC;˘ 2018

Infographic VS8.indd 21

196 SOLAR POWER WORLD â&#x20AC;&#x192;

7/11/18 10:39 AM

Inverter Preference String inverters with power optimizers are the most-installed inverter for the second straight year.

Central inverters

23 Micro inverters

String inverters

Solar Cities Top Solar Contractors call these cities home.

Short Commute

57%

About 57% of companies do 100% of their business in the state Microwhere they are headquartered.

Central inverters

inverters

Seattle, WA

String inverters with power optimizers

String inverters

String inverters with power optimizers

Denver, CO

Buffalo, NY St. Louis, MO

Las Vegas, NV

San Jose, CA

Atlanta, GA

Phoenix, AZ

San Diego, CA Irvine, CA

Austin, TX

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Los Angeles, CA

Miami, FL

These cities host the most Top Contractors

SOLAR POWER WORLD

Infographic VS8.indd 22

4 Irvine, CA Los Angeles, CA Miami, FL San Jose, CA Seattle, WA St. Louis, MO

Atlanta, GA Buffalo, NY Denver, CO Fort Lauderdale, FL Fresno, CA

7 â&#x20AC;˘ 2018

5 Austin, TX Las Vegas, NV San Diego, CA

6 Phoenix, AZ

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7/11/18 2:10 PM

Storage Growth

Software Selection

61% of contractors included or added storage to a solar project in 2017.

Top reasons contractors use software.

Financing

61%

Proposal generation System design

Markets Served

21%

The majority of survey respondents serve the residential market.

Off-Grid

54%

15%

Residential

Commercial Industrial Municipal

6% Small Utility (50 MW or less)

Large utility (more than 50 MW)

7 â&#x20AC;˘ 2018

Infographic VS8.indd 23

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Swinerton 7-18.indd 81

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RECOGNIZING THE BEST OF THOSE BOOTS ON THE GROUND The 2018 class of Top Solar Contractors rode last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s solarcoaster and finished 2017 strong. They celebrate another year in business, furthering U.S. solar growth. We are proud to recognize their hard work and humility.

The Top List begins on the next page Lists By Market Lists By Service

INTRO Overall_Vs3KP.indd 1

p.48 p.60

Lists By Top States p.75 Contractors Across America p.89

7/11/18 4:43 PM

I N

T H E

U N I T E D

S T A T E S

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER

All kW numbers are in DC

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

Pie pieces represent all services and markets in which a company works

RANK & STATE/ PRIMARY PRIMARY COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES MARKET TERRITORY SERVICE

TOTAL INSTALLED KILOWATTS

KILOWATTS ALL ALL INSTALLED SERVICES MARKETS IN 2017 OFFERED SERVED

Swinerton Renewable Energy

San Francisco

1888

437

3,220,510

889,600.0

Cypress Creek Renewables

Santa Monica

2014

539

2,102,887

869,014.0

Mortenson

Minneapolis

1954

5,000

2,972,700

730,600.0

Arraycon

Sacramento

2009

200

2,487,640

616,640.0

Helix Electric

San Diego

1985

2,600

2,381,000

550,370.0

Rosendin Electric

San Jose

1919

5,500

2,200,000

374,630.0

McCarthy Building Cos.

St. Louis

1864

1,963

1,173,700

370,000.0

Signal Energy

Chattanooga

2005

1,491,927

347,100.0

Black & Veatch

Overland Park

1915

10,000

608,000

346,403.0

HCS Renewable Energy

Georgetown

2014

227

888,000

335,100.0

DEPCOM Power

Scottsdale

2013

104

590,000

291,500.0

Origis Energy USA

Miami

2008

407,480

260,000.0

Bombard Renewable Energy

Las Vegas

1982

500

639,527

235,848.3

CSI Electrical Contractors

Santa Fe Springs

1990

850

1,453,930

222,104.6

Baker Electric

Escondido

1938

622

1,558,362

213,318.2

Cantsink

Lilburn

1988

618,000

203,000.0

E Light Electric Services

Englewood

1998

170

1,759,550

176,030.0

RP Construction Services (RPCS)

Monterey

2014

350,000

165,777.0

J&B Solar

Cocoa

2013

524,000

164,023.0

Hanwha Q CELLS USA

Irvine

2000

181,990

151,500.0

SOLAR POWER WORLD

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Baja 7-18.indd 81

7/10/18 3:59 PM

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER

All kW numbers are in DC

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

Pie pieces represent all services and markets in which a company works

RANK & STATE/ PRIMARY PRIMARY COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES MARKET TERRITORY SERVICE

TOTAL INSTALLED KILOWATTS

KILOWATTS ALL ALL INSTALLED SERVICES MARKETS IN 2017 OFFERED SERVED

Coronal Energy

Pasadena

2015

105

780,000

145,370.0

Granite Construction

Watsonville

1922

5,000

1,000,000

142,627.0

Knobelsdorff Electric

Goodhue

1997

152

221,000

135,000.0

Pure Power Contractors

Waxhaw

2012

265,000

134,160.0

M+W Energy

Union

2009

130

847,339

117,938.7

Watson Electrical Construction

Wilson

1935

675

282,880

106,500.0

Conti Solar

Edison

1906

329,860

99,860.0

Sunpin Solar

Irvine

2012

114,400

99,600.0

Origis Technics

Miami

2008

98,000

98,000.0

AUI Partners

Fort Worth

2005

825,000

94,400.0

Carolina Solar Energy

Durham

2004

264,170

84,200.0

Sunnova

Houston

2012

280

279,741

82,797.0

Moss

Fort Lauderdale

2004

685

872,715

82,700.0

M Bar C Construction

San Marcos

2005

175

350,000

81,850.4

REC Solar

San Luis Obispo

1997

125

340,545

78,279.4

Inovateus Solar

South Bend

2008

359,000

77,801.0

EC Electric

Portland

1946

1,000

100,000

70,008.4

SEI Professional Services (SEIPS)

Paonia

2015

150,000

66,142.0

Trinity Solar

Wall Township

1994

1,554

273,477

50,224.8

Oxbow Sunworks

Stillwater

2013

110

240,000

48,112.0

Cenergy Power

Merced

2008

248,434

47,135.0

Titan Solar Power

Gilbert

2014

265

75,845

46,922.1

Faith Technologies

Menasha

1972

2,577

167,000

44,598.0

Ameresco

Framingham

2000

953

203,768

43,495.0

Hypower

Fort Lauderdale

1991

480

622,011

42,011.0

Joule Energy

New Orleans

2009

55,000

39,309.1

A-C Solar

Bakersfield

1945

320

261,696

36,863.5

Sunstall

Novato

2011

287,000

36,358.0

J. Ranck Electric

Mount Pleasant

1986

275

205,419

36,082.5

Momentum Solar

Metuchen

2009

606

55,365

35,365.5

PetersenDean

Fremont

1984

3,000

222,000

35,341.7

Namasté Solar

Boulder

2005

163

84,747

34,414.6

Greenskies Renewable Energy

Middletown

2008

187,038

33,774.0

Baja Construction

Martinez

1981

135

212,000

33,552.8

Synergy Solar

Plymouth

2013

250,750

33,424.0

SOLAR POWER WORLD

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NEW RESEARCH:

SOLAR INDUSTRY BUSINESS & TECH TRENDS FOR 2018

83%

of solar professionals plan to invest in new technology throughout 2018

Find out why they’re investing and what challenges they face in the latest eReport from EagleView. In the 2018 Solar Industry Business & Technology Trends report, readers will: • Discover which business processes the solar industry is looking to improve with technology • Learn the top challenges solar professionals face in completing site surveys • Find out what causes a system redesign on a job—and how much this inefficiency could cost businesses

Visit eagleview.com/solartrends to access this free report.

EagleView Tech 7-18.indd 81

7/10/18 4:06 PM

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER

All kW numbers are in DC

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

Pie pieces represent all services and markets in which a company works

RANK & STATE/ PRIMARY PRIMARY COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES MARKET TERRITORY SERVICE

TOTAL INSTALLED KILOWATTS

KILOWATTS ALL ALL INSTALLED SERVICES MARKETS IN 2017 OFFERED SERVED

Nexamp

Boston

2007

84,290

33,176.8

LASE Solar

Doylestown

2016

43,971

31,920.6

Solar Liberty

Buffalo

2003

60,000

30,072.8

EnterSolar

New York

2005

92,483

29,483.1

Peck Solar

South Burlington

1972

130

110,874

28,783.8

CalCom Energy

Visalia

2012

76,000

27,882.6

Affordable Solar Installation

Albuquerque

1998

91,000

26,643.5

MC Power Companies

Lees Summit

2011

64,990

26,201.0

Axium Solar

Plano

2008

43,460

25,501.5

Riggs Distler

Cherry Hill

1909

1,100

178,407

24,341.0

Pfister Energy

Hawthorne

2005

120,000

23,885.0

Solect Energy

Hopkinton

2009

80,291

23,291.1

United Renewable Energy

Alpharetta

2008

80,662

23,038.0

JKB Energy

Turlock

1982

90,000

22,565.8

Alten Energy

Miami

2010

45,343

21,122.6

Hannah Solar

Atlanta

2008

105

82,000

21,031.0

Semper Solaris

El Cajon

2012

305

63,370

19,370.3

Premier Solar Solutions

Phoenix

2004

146

80,000

19,073.8

ACE Solar

North Andover

2015

43,080

18,875.3

PermaCity

Los Angeles

2003

70,000

18,711.6

Kuykendall Solar

Coarsegold

2010

66,721

17,877.9

Efficient Energy of Tennessee

Powell

2009

33,389

17,705.0

Solar Landscape

Neptune

1985

65,108

17,673.5

Innovative Power Systems

Roseville

1991

43,367

17,586.8

American Electric

Mililani

1946

150

88,253

17,351.0

ION Solar

Provo

2013

450

70,625

17,056.7

S&C Electric Company

Chicago

1911

3,000

280,599

16,929.0

Skyline Solar

Hamilton

2010

51,337

15,033.4

Solar Ground-N-Pound

Hamlin

2016

19,953

14,560.0

Monolith Solar

Albany

2009

105

40,492

14,324.3

Elite Electric

Riverside

1979

186,352

14,312.0

Newkirk Electric Associates

Muskegon

1961

550

113,071

14,240.0

Collins Electrical

Stockton

1928

500

89,000

14,172.8

PFMG Solar

Huntington Beach

2009

76,623

14,073.7

Radiance Solar

Atlanta

2007

75,000

13,795.5

SOLAR POWER WORLD

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SUNGROW 6-18.indd 81

7/10/18 4:24 PM

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER

All kW numbers are in DC

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

Pie pieces represent all services and markets in which a company works

RANK & STATE/ PRIMARY PRIMARY COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES MARKET TERRITORY SERVICE

TOTAL INSTALLED KILOWATTS

KILOWATTS ALL ALL INSTALLED SERVICES MARKETS IN 2017 OFFERED SERVED

Code Green Solar

Cherry Hill

2009

200

43,750

13,742.2

Sun Valley Solar Solutions

Chandler

2006

150

63,200

13,451.1

RER Energy Group

Reading

2009

37,527

13,254.0

ReVision Energy

Portland

2003

250

38,629

13,055.0

NEI Energy

Charlotte

2016

25,268

12,940.9

Baker Electric Home Energy

Escondido

2007

184

57,731

12,672.8

Solar Optimum

Glendale

2008

85,376

12,460.2

SunSystem Technology

Rancho Cordova

2013

104

23,661

12,174.2

DKD Electric

Albuquerque

1978

254

382,294

12,173.5

100

Green Lantern Solar

Waterbury

2011

35,000

12,027.2

101

Pickett Solar

Fresno

1988

50,045

11,548.7

102

GRID Alternatives

Oakland

2001

350

42,957

11,235.2

103

Envirosolar

San Antonio

2012

125

31,595

11,140.1

104

Got Electric

Gaithersburg

2006

40,000

11,089.0

105

Sustineo

San Diego

2007

150,133

11,019.0

106

Standard Solar

Rockville

2004

79,514

10,971.1

107

G&S Solar

New York

2009

81,657

10,789.9

108

Advanced Green Technologies

Fort Lauderdale

2007

245,957

10,700.0

109

Southwest Sun Solar

Garden Grove

2014

100

23,500

10,500.0

110

Infinity Energy

Rocklin

2014

130

18,430

9,830.8

111

C-TEC Solar

Bloomfield

2011

37,498

9,580.3

112

Renova Energy

Palm Desert

2006

160

40,332

9,397.8

113

LightWave Solar

Nashville

2006

35,200

9,241.1

114

Scenic Hill Solar

Little Rock

2016

9,128

9,128.0

115

Sullivan Solar Power

San Diego

2004

101

66,607

8,823.0

116

Sunpro Solar

Mandeville

2008

142

31,788

8,788.4

117

Solar Energy World

Elkridge

2009

105

38,600

8,687.6

118

Freedom Forever

Temecula

2013

219

23,000

8,682.8

119

Casey Electric

Tell City

2000

18,000

8,564.1

120

SUNation Solar Systems

Ronkonkoma

2003

141

36,177

8,508.4

121

Auric Solar

West Valley City

2010

220

46,490

8,490.5

122

Key Solar

Holliston

2016

9,000

8,453.0

123

Encore Renewable Energy

Burlington

2007

25,187

8,442.0

124

esaSolar

Lake Mary

2010

623,261

8,261.2

125

Solar Technologies

San Ramon

1998

30,400

8,198.0

SOLAR POWER WORLD

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Type 947D

High Density, DC Link Capacitors

DC link power ﬁlm capacitors Next generation inverter designs for renewable energy demand reliable DC link capacitors with higher capacitance values, voltage, and current ratings. Available in new case sizes and ratings, Cornell Dubilier’s Type 947D power film capacitors offer the highest bulk energy storage, ripple filtering and life expectancy for wind and solar power inverter designs, as well as electric vehicle applications. Select from hundreds of standard catalog listings, or connect with CDE engineers to develop special designs to your requirements.

TYPE 947D POWER FILM CAPACITORS 85, 90, 100 & 116 mm CASE SIZES CAPACITANCE VALUES TO 3600 µF APPLIED VOLTAGE TO 1500 Vdc RIPPLE CURRENT RATINGS >100 A rms

For technical information, visit cde.com/solutions/inverters

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= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER

All kW numbers are in DC

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

Pie pieces represent all services and markets in which a company works

RANK & STATE/ PRIMARY PRIMARY COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES MARKET TERRITORY SERVICE

TOTAL INSTALLED KILOWATTS

KILOWATTS ALL ALL INSTALLED SERVICES MARKETS IN 2017 OFFERED SERVED

126

Infiniti Energy Services

Howell

2015

8,794

7,921.5

127

M.B. Herzog Electric

Paramount

1974

225

46,738

7,493.0

128

Southern Current

Charleston

2016

13,090

7,293.5

129

Vista Solar

Santa Clara

2007

36,000

7,283.0

130

SEM Power

Tampa

2009

17,092

7,182.1

131

Renewable Energy Massachusetts

Belmont

2010

32,100

6,900.0

132

Powerhome Solar

Mooresville

2014

250

45,119

6,892.9

133

SunRenu Solar

Scottsdale

2008

15,332

6,854.4

134

O3 Energy

Dallas

2011

75,917

6,717.0

135

Sun Solar

Springfield

2012

115

27,368

6,704.4

136

Shorebreak Energy Developers

Irvine

2010

64,000

6,514.6

137

LA Solar Group

Los Angeles

2012

19,464

6,502.4

138

GenPro Energy Solutions

Piedmont

2003

8,510

6,329.9

139

Newport Power

San Clemente

2008

31,102

6,251.9

140

SOLON

Tucson

2006

105,839

6,228.1

141

Harmon Electric

Phoenix

1975

130

35,914

6,190.7

142

Renovus Solar

Ithaca

2003

10,000

6,188.8

143

Sunvalley Solar

Walnut

2007

15,840

6,085.0

144

SunVest Solar

Pewaukee

2009

18,581

6,042.8

145

Paradise Energy Solutions

Paradise

2009

30,469

6,032.3

146

TVAEnergy

Franklin

2016

7,810

5,810.0

147

Azimuth Energy

St. Louis

2014

20,000

5,764.0

148

Patriot Solar Group

Albion

2005

135,000

5,655.0

149

Solar Source

Largo

1984

197,842

5,654.5

150

Maximo Solar Industries

Aguadilla

2008

200

21,653

5,582.7

151

SunPower by Venture Solar

Brooklyn

2015

10,341

5,555.9

152

Bithenergy

Baltimore

2009

79,000

5,400.0

153

Intermountain WInd and Solar

Woods Cross

2008

105

29,727

5,388.8

154

V3 Electric

El Dorado Hills

2014

243

13,150

5,327.8

155

Ross Solar, a ConEdison Solutions Company

Danbury

2007

20,135

5,110.8

156

Apex Solar Power

Queensbury

2007

121

63,202

5,022.8

157

Sunny Energy

Tempe

2014

10,112

5,020.2

158

May Electric Solar

Hudson

2006

12,000

4,814.0

159

Sun Light & Power

Berkeley

1976

28,240

4,752.3

160

Third Sun Solar

Athens

2000

16,706

4,685.6

SOLAR POWER WORLD

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7/11/18 10:53 AM

LARGER PV+BATTERY SYSTEMS WITHOUT ADDING MORE PROGRAMMING Introducing the New ME-ARTR Advanced Router The ME-ARTR Advanced Router from Sensata Technologies is designed to connect large, residential Magnum Energy solar + storage installations. The Advanced Router provides complete system-level connectivity and programming for up to 42kW harvest, as well as: WANT TO LEARN MORE? VISIT US AT SOLAR POWER INTERNATIONAL, SEPTEMBER 24-27, ANAHEIM, CA, BOOTH 3474

Program up to seven PT-100 solar charge controllers at once

Firmware upgrades in the field with the microSD drive

Accommodate up to four MS-PAE or MS-PE inverter chargers

“Bulk Always” setting, ideal for charging li-on batteries

Equalize pop-up reminders to ensure the system is performing at peak levels

Check www.SensataPower.com/me-artr-advanced-remote to learn more.

2018-July-Sensata_SolarPowerWorld_Fullpg.indd 1 Sensata 7-18.indd 81

Off-Grid • Backup • AC Coupling • Grid Tie

6/11/18 10:41 AM 7/10/18 4:20 PM

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER

All kW numbers are in DC

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

Pie pieces represent all services and markets in which a company works

RANK & STATE/ PRIMARY PRIMARY COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES MARKET TERRITORY SERVICE

TOTAL INSTALLED KILOWATTS

KILOWATTS ALL ALL INSTALLED SERVICES MARKETS IN 2017 OFFERED SERVED

161

Hannah Solar Government Services

Charleston

2010

15,024

4,631.6

162

Alternative Energy Systems

Chico

2003

38,968

4,602.9

163

Independence Solar

Essex

2007

26,467

4,576.0

164

TMI Electrical Solutions

Cincinnati

1983

28,500

4,559.7

165

Simpleray

Fairfield

2008

6,677

4,477.6

166

SolarFlair Energy

Ashland

2007

29,254

4,333.4

167

Renewable Energy Partners

Corona

2012

11,000

4,276.0

168

SunBug Solar

Arlington

2009

16,000

4,183.4

169

SunPeak

Madison

2014

7,730

4,179.0

170

GRNE Solar

Palatine

2012

10,000

4,010.0

171

A&R Solar

Seattle

2007

13,046

3,984.1

172

Green Solar Technologies

Los Angeles

2011

115

15,000

3,910.8

173

SunPower by Stellar Solar

Oceanside

1998

50,000

3,899.2

174

Solar by CIR

Buffalo

1976

150

17,636

3,871.3

175

Canopy Energy

Van Nuys

2016

100

4,864

3,813.3

176

Invaleon Solar Technologies

Haverhill

2011

25,000

3,804.7

177

A1A Solar Contracting

Jacksonville

2010

13,894

3,792.0

178

SunPower by EmPower Solar

Island Park

2003

22,252

3,772.9

179

Solar Solution

Washington

2008

15,197

3,767.2

180

Harvest Power

Bay Shore

2008

1,885

3,733.8

181

Sylvester & Cockrum

Winston-Salem

1985

175

18,722

3,722.1

182

Wells Solar

Austin

2014

10,000

3,561.7

183

Boston Solar

Woburn

2011

24,949

3,472.8

184

GEM Energy

Walbridge

1955

45,151

3,454.0

185

Dovetail Solar and Wind

Cleveland

1995

20,819

3,429.0

186

CMI Solar & Electric

Newark

1998

20,786

3,385.7

187

Arise Solar

Fresno

2007

19,611

3,368.9

188

Kiss Electric

Levittown

2000

4,645

3,367.2

189

Westcoast Solar Energy

Sebastopol

2009

13,295

3,295.0

190

Earthlight Technologies

Ellington

2008

9,430

3,281.3

191

RGS Energy

Denver

1978

116

260,000

3,279.9

192

Moxie Solar

North Liberty

2008

5,854

3,275.9

193

Nova West Solar

Fresno

2005

16,738

3,242.5

194

Sigora Solar

Charlottesville

2011

6,269

3,232.4

195

SunPower by Infinity Solar

Pearl River

2008

16,750

3,211.5

SOLAR POWER WORLD

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WunderCapital 7-18.indd 81

7/10/18 4:37 PM

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER

All kW numbers are in DC

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

Pie pieces represent all services and markets in which a company works

RANK & STATE/ PRIMARY PRIMARY COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES MARKET TERRITORY SERVICE

TOTAL INSTALLED KILOWATTS

KILOWATTS ALL ALL INSTALLED SERVICES MARKETS IN 2017 OFFERED SERVED

196

Lighthouse Solar Texas

Austin

2007

12,000

3,157.5

197

SunPower by Precis

Wildomar

2009

34,882

3,126.4

198

Tennessee Solar Solutions

Chattanooga

2007

13,935

3,093.0

199

Alder Energy Systems

Charleston

2008

9,445

3,053.5

200

Moore Energy

Southampton

2008

18,537

3,029.1

201

Long Island Power Solutions

Islandia

2009

11,700

2,970.0

202

Green Power Energy

Annandale

2009

9,854

2,954.9

203

EcoMark Solar

Denver

2010

140

13,888

2,923.1

204

SunPower by Positive Energy Solar

Santa Fe

1997

22,500

2,906.2

205

Kopp Electric Company

Toms River

1994

14,048

2,903.0

206

South Texas Solar Systems

San Antonio

2007

7,120

2,852.0

207

Palomar Solar

Escondido

2009

13,028

2,828.2

208

Magic Sun Solar

Loomis

2010

9,870

2,803.3

209

SunPower by Sea Bright Solar

Ocean Township

2003

17,688

2,687.9

210

Creative Energies

Lander

2001

10,360

2,644.1

211

RevoluSun Smart Home

Honolulu

2009

155

55,000

2,634.1

212

Pingo Solar

Buena Park

2016

3,950

2,560.4

213

American Solar Power

Montrose

2009

14,471

2,551.3

214

Resolute Performance Contracting

Tempe

2011

55,019

2,509.3

215

American Sentry Solar

Bel Air

1993

120

11,333

2,483.1

216

Altenergy

Charlottesville

2004

7,890

2,429.4

217

Geoscape Solar

Florham Park

2008

11,000

2,352.6

218

Sunrise Power Solutions

Brentwood

2008

2,840

2,349.0

219

Shine Solar

Bentonville

2016

2,846

2,307.4

220

Freedom Solar Power

Austin

2007

33,200

2,264.9

221

Synergy Power

Sandy

1999

13,400

2,262.3

222

RevoluSun

Burlington

2012

7,877

2,260.9

223

A.M. Sun Solar

Paso Robles

2012

10,724

2,257.0

224

StraightUp Solar

St. Louis

2006

10,268

2,224.3

225

BriteStreet Energy Group

Denver

2012

3,500

2,218.6

226

Mega Solar

Chatsworth

2012

9,264

2,218.2

227

Clean Solar

San Jose

2007

12,416

2,216.1

228

Smart Energy Today

Olympia

2008

5,800

2,200.3

229

Photon Brothers

Denver

2013

9,574

2,152.2

230

North State Solar Energy

Forest Ranch

2002

16,782

2,131.6

SOLAR POWER WORLD

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Fronius 11-17.indd 81

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= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER

All kW numbers are in DC

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

Pie pieces represent all services and markets in which a company works

RANK & STATE/ PRIMARY PRIMARY COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES MARKET TERRITORY SERVICE

TOTAL INSTALLED KILOWATTS

KILOWATTS ALL ALL INSTALLED SERVICES MARKETS IN 2017 OFFERED SERVED

231

Sunlux

Ontario

2015

2,764

2,116.5

232

Current Electric

Brookfield

1983

5,581

2,056.6

233

Solar Chief

Columbia

2015

3,252

2,053.3

234

NC Solar Now

Raleigh

2010

7,210

2,004.6

235

Self Reliant Solar

Austin

2009

15,096

2,003.6

236

PV Squared

Greenfield

2002

12,000

2,000.6

237

Solarponics

Atascadero

1975

10,530

1,993.1

238

Yes Solar Solutions

Cary

2009

7,350

1,979.8

239

PowerLutions Solar

Lakewood

2008

8,500

1,944.8

240

Osceola Energy

Albuquerque

2009

3,978

1,917.9

241

Ace LLC Solar

Pulaski

2009

4,000

1,865.9

242

Universal Solar Direct

Las Vegas

2015

7,000

1,846.8

243

Sunlight Solar Energy

Bend

1988

7,000

1,845.1

244

Solar States

Philadelphia

2008

3,866

1,820.0

245

Renewvia Energy

Atlanta

2009

15,803

1,803.6

246

Morton Solar

Evansville

2006

4,312

1,781.6

247

Your Energy Solutions

Dublin

2008

6,500

1,781.2

248

Good Energy Solutions

Lawrence

2007

3,557

1,735.3

249

GreenBrilliance

Sterling

2007

7,683

1,732.6

250

EIS Solar

Pittsburgh

2008

6,280

1,727.3

251

Cosmic Solar

Vista

2007

17,000

1,687.5

252

iDEAL Energies

Minneapolis

2010

6,647

1,683.9

253

NATiVE

Austin

2007

16,274

1,673.5

254

Renewable Energy Systems of Indiana Avilla

2008

3,100

1,663.0

255

Border Solar

El Paso

2008

10,293

1,631.3

256

Advanced Energy Systems

Eugene

2004

13,000

1,623.4

257

Sun Tribe Solar

Charlottesville

2016

1,959

1,597.1

258

Aegis Renewable Energy

Waitsfield

2011

9,826

1,580.0

259

One Solar

Woodscross

2014

10,266

1,568.3

260

EFS Energy

St. Louis

2011

2,828

1,556.9

261

Solar Choice USA

Atlanta

2010

12,041

1,506.4

262

Allterra Solar

Santa Cruz

2004

7,345

1,467.7

263

YellowLite

Cleveland

2009

4,258

1,431.5

264

New Day Solar

Winchester

1997

21,875

1,375.3

265

Scudder Roofing Sun Energy Systems

Marina

2006

10,480

1,374.7

4 0 SOLAR POWER WORLD

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7/11/18 10:55 AM

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER

All kW numbers are in DC

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

Pie pieces represent all services and markets in which a company works

RANK & STATE/ PRIMARY PRIMARY COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES MARKET TERRITORY SERVICE

TOTAL INSTALLED KILOWATTS

KILOWATTS ALL ALL INSTALLED SERVICES MARKETS IN 2017 OFFERED SERVED

266

Norwich Solar Technologies

White River Junction

2011

5,800

1,355.2

267

Empire Renewable Energy

Phoenix

2010

23,675

1,346.1

268

Urban Solar

Boca Raton

2013

3,300

1,304.1

269

Solar Dad and Sons

Islandia

2008

6,400

1,278.4

270

Island Pacific Energy

Honolulu

2007

10,000

1,271.4

271

Puget Sound Solar

Seattle

2001

8,920

1,265.8

272

Sunsense Solar

Carbondale

1990

13,849

1,249.0

273

Icon Solar Power

Milford

2009

6,448

1,248.9

274

Eagle Point Solar

Dubuque

2010

8,409

1,233.7

275

True South Solar

Ashland

2010

4,112

1,218.2

276

Ultra Solar & Wind Solutions

Ocean City

2009

3,500

1,211.6

277

New England Clean Energy

Hudson

2006

8,468

1,195.6

278

Milholland Electric

El Cajon

1990

19,200

1,193.5

279

3D Solar

Odessa

2013

4,335

1,186.8

280

All American Solar

Orange City

2015

8,475

1,152.7

281

Planet Earth Solar

Santa Ana

2012

6,906

1,146.7

282

SunPower by BlueSel Home Solar

Sandwich

2009

4,181

1,138.3

283

Energy Consultants Group

Anamosa

2008

3,000

1,138.3

284

UGE

New York

2008

24,630

1,111.3

285

Silver Lining Solar

Chappaqua

2015

1,271

1,110.0

286

Arch Electric

Plymouth

2004

6,500

1,096.2

287

GES Solar

Knoxville

2008

4,860

1,077.0

288

Sol-Up USA

Las Vegas

2009

4,583

1,072.6

289

Windfree Solar

Chicago

2009

10,200

1,069.0

290

Victory Solar

Houston

2016

1,064

1,064.5

291

1 Source Solar

Ankeny

2015

2,323

1,058.3

292

PEP Solar

Phoenix

1978

14,380

1,047.7

293

Jefferson Electric

Indianapolis

2011

6,321

1,046.5

294

SolareAmerica

Upper Darby

2010

16,038

1,038.2

295

Imagine Energy

Portland

2003

5,535

1,034.7

296

IQ Power

Sanford

2009

4,449

1,029.0

297

SunOn Energy

Stevensville

2015

1,718

1,026.8

298

Hytech Solar

Bay Shore

2018

3,467

1,020.0

299

Trinity Power

Fresno

2005

22,466

1,008.6

300

EnergyONE

Magnolia

2013

5,000

1,005.1

FINAL list 6-18_Vs2kp.indd 41

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= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER

All kW numbers are in DC

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

Pie pieces represent all services and markets in which a company works

RANK & STATE/ PRIMARY PRIMARY COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES MARKET TERRITORY SERVICE

TOTAL INSTALLED KILOWATTS

KILOWATTS ALL ALL INSTALLED SERVICES MARKETS IN 2017 OFFERED SERVED

301

Elemental Energy

Portland

2010

3,279

1,001.6

302

SolTerra Solar

Seattle

2008

6,248

999.0

303

Western Solar

Bellingham

2002

5,934

996.8

304

Solar Five

Lexington

2015

1,555

985.4

305

Clayco Electric

San Diego

2010

2,000

975.0

306

CB Solar

Des Moines

2013

12,427

972.8

307

Solar-Ray

Orlando

2003

8,626

957.8

308

Artisan Electric

Seattle

2007

5,639

953.1

309

EvenGreen Technology

Meridian

2009

2,947

947.0

310

Accelerate Solar

Charlotte

2012

3,027

937.5

311

Solar CenTex

Harker Heights

2012

3,128

920.7

312

Fresco Solar

Morgan Hill

2007

4,865

916.7

313

Peak View Solar

Colorado Springs

2009

2,561

911.5

314

Southern Energy Management

Raleigh

2001

24,327

905.4

315

Mass Renewables

Bellingham

2009

4,921

901.0

316

South Sound Solar

Olympia

2008

4,060

901.0

317

Green Street Solar

Selbyville

2008

3,962

898.8

318

Energy Concepts

Hudson

1994

6,043

875.3

319

Exact Solar

Yardley

2005

2,697

870.3

320

Power Production Management

Gainesville

2009

4,265

870.1

321

Solar Smart Living

Santa Teresa

2009

5,600

855.7

322

Same Sun of Vermont

Rutland

2011

3,000

850.0

323

Sol Luna Solar

Dixon

1991

3,500

833.5

324

Solar Grid USA

Hayward

2014

2,527

827.0

325

American Made Solar and Wind

Weslaco

2005

9,000

820.5

326

Southard Solar and Construction

Longmont

2005

4,622

810.8

327

Cromwell Solar

Lawrence

1985

5,354

766.7

328

Aurora Energy

Columbia

1994

11,000

759.9

329

My Generation Energy

South Dennis

2009

8,900

744.5

330

North Wind Renewable Energy

Stevens Point

2008

3,219

732.3

331

SunHarvest Solar

Phoenix

2009

20,725

725.8

332

Highlight Solar

San Jose

2010

3,700

721.1

333

Michigan Solar Solutions

Riverdale

2007

2,800

715.0

334

Solar Impact

Gainesville

2007

9,448

714.9

335

Whole Sun Designs

Bloomington

2011

1,515

708.5

SOLAR POWER WORLD

FINAL list 6-18_Vs2kp.indd 42

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7/11/18 10:56 AM

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER

All kW numbers are in DC

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

Pie pieces represent all services and markets in which a company works

RANK & STATE/ PRIMARY PRIMARY COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES MARKET TERRITORY SERVICE

TOTAL INSTALLED KILOWATTS

KILOWATTS ALL ALL INSTALLED SERVICES MARKETS IN 2017 OFFERED SERVED

336

California Solar Electric Co.

Grass Valley

2000

4,413

708.5

337

Robco Electric

Las Vegas

1997

7,381

705.9

338

NW Photon Energy

Portland

2009

3,717

704.0

339

Affiliate Solar

Payson

2014

6,640

698.0

340

California Solar Electric

Ojai

1999

6,842

693.0

341

Renu Energy Solutions

Charlotte

2010

3,300

687.6

342

Buffalo Solar Solutions

Buffalo

2014

1,346

686.8

343

Mountain View Solar

Berkeley Springs

2009

7,183

682.3

344

The Solar Store

Tucson

1998

4,229

677.3

345

Southern Solar Systems

Huntsville

2007

4,437

677.0

346

Cool Blew Solar & Electric

Peoria

2010

1,963

671.7

347

Cutler Bay Solar Solutions

Miami

2013

3,000

644.3

348

SolarPod Mouli Engineering

Eagan

2009

3,500

631.5

349

Sunlight Enterprises

Orlando

2003

3,509

629.2

350

Skytech Solar

San Francisco

2008

6,540

628.4

351

Custom Solar and Leisure

Tucson

2007

2,807

622.2

352

Stellar Energy Contractors

Wheat Ridge

2008

2,657

610.3

353

Atlasta Solar Center

Grand Junction

1979

5,600

609.6

354

Cotuit Solar

Marstons Mills

1988

4,192

605.3

355

Go Smart Solar

San Antonio

2016

855

604.5

356

Alternative Power Solutions of NY

East Syracuse

2008

3,500

604.2

357

Solar Planet Group

Dubuque

2010

2,000

604.2

358

Sunbridge Solar

Vancouver

2010

2,677

601.7

359

Amped On Solar

Florence

2009

2,166

588.7

360

SunSource

Kansas City

2011

2,500

585.1

361

OnSite Energy

Bozeman

2012

1,988

584.9

362

Built Well Solar

Wantagh

2001

8,800

571.0

363

PurePoint Energy

Norwalk

2007

2,239

566.0

364

Tampa Bay Solar

Tampa

2010

2,500

546.4

365

Cape Fear Solar Systems

Wilmington

2007

3,230

538.2

366

Tick Tock Energy

Effingham

2006

1,881

533.6

367

Sunwatt Solar

Pawtucket

2014

4,500

525.0

368

Treepublic

Bel Air

2008

2,320

519.5

369

Newport Renewables

Providence

2011

1,791

519.0

370

PlugPV

Albany

2017

890

517.9

FINAL list 6-18_Vs2kp.indd 43

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SOLAR POWER WORLD

7/11/18 3:53 PM

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER

All kW numbers are in DC

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

Pie pieces represent all services and markets in which a company works

RANK & STATE/ PRIMARY PRIMARY COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES MARKET TERRITORY SERVICE

TOTAL INSTALLED KILOWATTS

KILOWATTS ALL ALL INSTALLED SERVICES MARKETS IN 2017 OFFERED SERVED

371

Electric Distribution & Design Systems Garland

1982

10,135

515.9

372

Sunshine Solar Services

Fort Lauderdale

2007

2,549

508.8

373

Byers Solar

Grass Valley

1987

1,629

505.3

374

Roof Power Solar

Rich Hill

2012

2,870

502.3

375

CalSun Electric & Solar Systems

Paso Robles

2010

1,603

502.1

376

South Mountain Company

West Tisbury

1975

3,077

483.3

377

King Solar

Yoder

1982

1,401

479.2

378

Unique Solar

San Diego

2010

1,893

478.6

379

Ecohouse Solar

Columbus

2008

1,600

462.9

380

Natural Power and Energy

Phoenix

2008

150

64,292

460.6

381

Brightstar Solar

Marlborough

2009

2,266

459.2

382

Alternative Energy Southeast

Lilburn

2007

1,383

456.5

383

Shaw Solar

Durango

2007

3,303

447.1

384

Main Street Solar

Fincastle

2008

1,644

445.7

385

Carolina Energy Conservation

Myrtle Beach

2008

865

445.3

386

Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL) Backus

2000

2,233

443.3

387

Solar-Fit

Holly Hill

1975

3,194

438.8

388

Earth Electric

San Jose

2009

1,680

438.5

389

SunWork Renewable Energy Projects

Milpitas

2005

2,692

433.2

390

Cinnamon Energy Systems

Campbell

2012

1,040

430.1

391

OSullivan Green Solar

Campbell

2014

12,000

420.4

392

Wright-Way Solar Technologies

Tyler

2009

1,397

417.4

393

SWT Energy

Lincoln

2006

1,300

403.9

394

Bob Heinmiller Solar Solutions

Orlando

1990

1,404

400.8

395

E2 Solar

Bend

2005

2,470

393.2

396

Fullers Energy

Oak Bluffs

2007

1,425

384.2

397

SolarHut

Placerville

2008

3,525

380.0

398

Solar Generation

Kingston

2005

2,424

367.7

399

Solar Watt Solutions

Carlsbad

2009

2,063

365.43

400

Green Sun Energy Services

Middletown

2010

1,082

356.3

401

Pennsylvania Solar Energy Co.

Canonsburg

1999

7,292

355.7

402

Kosmos Solar

Arlington

2016

517

353.0

403

Vasco Solar

Fountain Valley

1990

1,384

337.4

404

Maryland Solar Solutions

Owings Mills

2008

2,235

332.8

405

Powell Energy and Solar

Moorestown

2009

2,241

320.0

4 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD

FINAL list 6-18_Vs2kp.indd 44

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7/11/18 10:58 AM

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER

All kW numbers are in DC

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

Pie pieces represent all services and markets in which a company works

RANK & STATE/ PRIMARY PRIMARY COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES MARKET TERRITORY SERVICE

TOTAL INSTALLED KILOWATTS

KILOWATTS ALL ALL INSTALLED SERVICES MARKETS IN 2017 OFFERED SERVED

406

LuxLight Solar Energy

Lockeford

2001

2,560

315.8

407

Renewable Construction Services

New Bedford

2013

5,079

311.5

408

Southern Light Solar

New Bedford

2013

2,092

311.5

409

Belmont Solar

Gordonville

2002

10,906

304.8

410

Winona Renewable Energy

Winona

2010

1,809

304.7

411

Sugar Hollow Solar

Asheville

2012

700

301.8

412

A1 Sun

Berkeley

2007

1,721

300.9

413

GenRenew

Hamilton

2017

675

295.8

414

Alternative Power Solutions

Sonora

2002

1,926

288.1

415

A1 Solar Source

Kansas City

2014

2,319

279.0

416

Texas Green Energy

College Station

2007

5,813

278.0

417

Independent Green Technologies

Tallahassee

2008

1,198

274.6

418

Solar Connexion

Blacksburg

1993

4,000

254.1

419

PPC Solar

Taos

1979

9,000

251.0

420

Missouri Solar Applications

Jefferson City

2008

5,000

251.0

421

EcoSolar and Electric

Klamath Falls

2007

2,110

243.0

422

Arctic Solar Ventures

Anchorage

2015

309

242.7

423

Monarch Solar

Myrtle Beach

2017

315

239.9

424

Sunlife Residential Contracting

Irvine

2016

1,733

229.3

425

Save a Lot Solar

Oakland

2008

1,428

228.5

426

Wayne's Solar

Ormond Beach

1998

1,295

215.1

427

AllCities Solar and Electric

Yakima

1979

5,155

214.7

428

Silverline Home Remodeling

Los Angeles

2014

455

214.7

429

Nickels Energy Solutions

Liverpool

2015

311

211.6

430

Alien Fuel

Langhorne

2007

2,508

208.2

431

Ocean Solar

Cape May Court House NJ

2011

1,341

207.0

432

Empowered Energy Systems

Hotchkiss

2004

950

205.5

433

Emerald Energy

Raleigh

2009

600

183.7

434

Living Solar

Durango

1995

1,956

183.1

435

Harrimans

Venice

1969

5,267

181.2

436

R and C Construction Solar

Greer

2007

2,000

175.8

437

Ailey Solar Electric

Chicago

2007

647

164.6

438

High Noon Solar

Grand Junction

2005

6,794

163.9

439

Collegiate Builders

Buffalo

2010

478

149.0

440

California Home Solar

Encino

2012

5,911

139.1

FINAL list 6-18_Vs2kp.indd 45

7 • 2018

SOLAR POWER WORLD

7/11/18 10:58 AM

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER

All kW numbers are in DC

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

Pie pieces represent all services and markets in which a company works

RANK & STATE/ PRIMARY PRIMARY COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES MARKET TERRITORY SERVICE

TOTAL INSTALLED KILOWATTS

KILOWATTS ALL ALL INSTALLED SERVICES MARKETS IN 2017 OFFERED SERVED

441

Sustainable Technologies

Alameda

1999

1,027

122.0

442

Solar Direct

Sarasota

1985

6,706

120.5

443

Wray Industries

Ellensburg

1991

781

114.7

444

YouVee Solar

Ridgecrest

2011

597

107.6

445

OTG Solar

Macon

2010

914

102.4

446

Run on Sun

Pasadena

2006

915

94.3

447

Superior Energy Solutions

Ottawa

2009

770

86.0

448

Verisolar

Houston

2016

126

73.6

449

Arsenal Solar

Philadelphia

2010

350

72.0

450

Allegiant Electric

Las Vegas

2015

4,734

23.5

Cable Management for Solar Installations

SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES INSTALLATION TIME AND LOWERS CONSTRUCTION COST!

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LET US ENGINEER YOUR NEXT PROJECT www.snaketray.com | 800-308-6788 | Made in the USA Snake Tray® products are covered by one or more of the following patents: #6637704, #6637165, #6463704, #6460812, #6449912, #6361000, #6347493, #6019323, #6347493, #6449912, #6460812, #5953870, #5839702, #6926236, #7168212, #7959019, #8783628, #8985530, #8622679, #9074707. Other Patents Pending.

solar power world july 1-2 pg ad.indd 1

4 6 SOLAR POWER WORLD

FINAL list 6-18_Vs2kp.indd 46

6/15/2018 5:54:24 PM

7 • 2018

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 10:58 AM

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VISIT US AT SPI 2018

B O OT H # 286 7/10/18 4:22 PM

How have the solar tariffs affected your project pipeline? Through 2017, the threat of a tariff caused 500 MW on multiple sites to be cancelled and many others to be delayed due to the unknown costs. Since the tariff was implemented, we’ve adjusted. We’re ramping back up and expect to recover by 2019 or 2020. However, the significant break in construction led much of the solar workforce to leave the industry. We’re having to re-invest in developing a trained solar construction workforce, when prior to the tariff, we were steadily growing our workforce. Through McCarthy’s Training Within Industries (TWI) program, we are bringing more solar construction workers on-line efficiently, although we should be employing approximately 1,200 workers by now, and are closer to half that.

— Scott Canada, senior VP of solar and renewable energy at McCarthy Building Companies (No. 7 overall)

Hazlehurst II

52 MW Hazlehurst, Georgia

= EPC

= INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR

= ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR

= DEVELOPER

= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

TOTAL KILOWATTS STATE/ UTILITY OVERALL COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED TERRITORY RANK RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

Swinerton Renewable Energy

San Francisco

1888

437

3,220,510

889,600.0

Cypress Creek Renewables

Santa Monica

2014

539

2,102,887

869,014.0

Mortenson

Minneapolis

1954

5,000

2,972,700

730,600.0

Arraycon

Sacramento

2009

200

2,487,640

616,640.0

Helix Electric

San Diego

1985

2,600

2,381,000

550,370.0

Rosendin Electric

San Jose

1919

5,500

2,200,000

374,630.0

McCarthy Building Cos.

St. Louis

1864

1,963

1,173,700

370,000.0

Signal Energy

Chattanooga

2005

1,491,927

347,100.0

Black & Veatch

Overland Park

1915

10,000

608,000

346,403.0

HCS Renewable Energy

Georgetown

2014

227

888,000

335,100.0

DEPCOM Power

Scottsdale

2013

104

590,000

291,500.0

Origis Energy USA

Miami

2008

407,480

260,000.0

Bombard Renewable Energy

Las Vegas

1982

500

639,527

235,848.3

CSI Electrical Contractors

Santa Fe Springs

1990

850

1,453,930

222,104.6

4 8 SOLAR POWER WORLD

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= EPC

= INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR

= ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR

= DEVELOPER

= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

TOTAL KILOWATTS STATE/ UTILITY OVERALL COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED TERRITORY RANK RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

Baker Electric

Escondido

1938

622

1,558,362

213,318.2

Cantsink

Lilburn

1988

618,000

203,000.0

E Light Electric Services

Englewood

1998

170

1,759,550

176,030.0

RP Construction Services (RPCS)

Monterey

2014

350,000

165,777.0

J&B Solar

Cocoa

2013

524,000

164,023.0

Hanwha Q CELLS USA

Irvine

2000

181,990

151,500.0

Coronal Energy

Pasadena

2015

105

780,000

145,370.0

Granite Construction

Watsonville

1922

5,000

1,000,000

142,627.0

Knobelsdorff Electric

Goodhue

1997

152

221,000

135,000.0

Pure Power Contractors

Waxhaw

2012

265,000

134,160.0

M+W Energy

Union

2009

130

847,339

117,938.7

Watson Electrical Construction

Wilson

1935

675

282,880

106,500.0

Conti Solar

Edison

1906

329,860

99,860.0

Sunpin Solar

Irvine

2012

114,400

99,600.0

Origis Technics

Miami

2008

98,000

98,000.0

Carolina Solar Energy

Durham

2004

264,170

84,200.0

Moss

Fort Lauderdale

2004

685

872,715

82,700.0

Inovateus Solar

South Bend

2008

359,000

77,801.0

SEI Professional Services (SEIPS)

Paonia

2015

150,000

66,142.0

Oxbow Sunworks

Stillwater

2013

110

240,000

48,112.0

Joule Energy

New Orleans

2009

55,000

39,309.1

J. Ranck Electric

Mount Pleasant

1986

275

205,419

36,082.5

Synergy Solar

Plymouth

2013

250,750

33,424.0

MC Power Companies

Lees Summit

2011

64,990

26,201.0

Riggs Distler

Cherry Hill

1909

1,100

178,407

24,341.0

United Renewable Energy

Alpharetta

2008

80,662

23,038.0

Alten Energy

Miami

2010

45,343

21,122.6

Efficient Energy of Tennessee

Powell

2009

33,389

17,705.0

S&C Electric Company

Chicago

1911

3,000

280,599

16,929.0

Solar Ground-N-Pound

Hamlin

2016

19,953

14,560.0

Newkirk Electric Associates

Muskegon

1961

550

113,071

14,240.0

Radiance Solar

Atlanta

2007

75,000

13,795.5

DKD Electric

Albuquerque

1978

254

382,294

12,173.5

Casey Electric

119

Tell City

2000

18,000

8,564.1

esaSolar

124

Lake Mary

2010

623,261

8,261.2

Renewable Energy Massachusetts

131

Belmont

2010

32,100

6,900.0

7 • 2018

Utility_6-18_Vs2.indd 49

SOLAR POWER WORLD

7/11/18 11:33 AM

How is financing evolving for the C&I market? We are seeing an evolution toward risk sharing, which is ultimately a positive for project delivery. New regional lenders are more aggressively lending to projects, and the market for larger projects and portfolios is much more active. The same has occurred in the utility space, where the financing partners are getting more comfortable with construction risk—an overall tightening of the spreads. Financing partners have adapted to changing market conditions and now offer more flexible products allowing the developers to execute faster and more efficiently. — Mario Carbone, partner with AUI Partners (No. 30 overall)

Vilas Solar

5 MW Vilas, Colorado

= EPC

= INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR

= ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR

= DEVELOPER

= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

COMM. RANK

TOTAL KILOWATTS STATE/ OVERALL COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED TERRITORY RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

AUI Partners

Fort Worth

2005

825,000

94,400.0

M Bar C Construction

San Marcos

2005

175

350,000

81,850.4

REC Solar

San Luis Obispo

1997

125

340,545

78,279.4

EC Electric

Portland

1946

1,000

100,000

70,008.4

Cenergy Power

Merced

2008

248,434

47,135.0

Faith Technologies

Menasha

1972

2,577

167,000

44,598.0

Ameresco

Framingham

2000

953

203,768

43,495.0

Hypower

Fort Lauderdale

1991

480

622,011

42,011.0

A-C Solar

Bakersfield

1945

320

261,696

36,863.5

Sunstall

Novato

2011

287,000

36,358.0

Greenskies Renewable Energy

Middletown

2008

187,038

33,774.0

Baja Construction

Martinez

1981

135

212,000

33,552.8

Nexamp

Boston

2007

84,290

33,176.8

LASE Solar

Doylestown

2016

43,971

31,920.6

SOLAR POWER WORLD

Commercial_6-18_Vs3.indd 50

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7/11/18 11:37 AM

= EPC

= INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR

= ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR

= DEVELOPER

= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

COMM. RANK

TOTAL KILOWATTS STATE/ OVERALL COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED TERRITORY RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

Solar Liberty

Buffalo

2003

60,000

30,072.8

EnterSolar

New York

2005

92,483

29,483.1

Peck Solar

South Burlington

1972

130

110,874

28,783.8

CalCom Energy

Visalia

2012

76,000

27,882.6

Affordable Solar Installation

Albuquerque

1998

91,000

26,643.5

Axium Solar

Plano

2008

43,460

25,501.5

Pfister Energy

Hawthorne

2005

120,000

23,885.0

Solect Energy

Hopkinton

2009

80,291

23,291.1

JKB Energy

Turlock

1982

90,000

22,565.8

Hannah Solar

Atlanta

2008

105

82,000

21,031.0

PermaCity

Los Angeles

2003

70,000

18,711.6

Kuykendall Solar

Coarsegold

2010

66,721

17,877.9

Solar Landscape

Neptune

1985

65,108

17,673.5

Innovative Power Systems

Roseville

1991

43,367

17,586.8

Monolith Solar

Albany

2009

105

40,492

14,324.3

Elite Electric

Riverside

1979

186,352

14,312.0

Collins Electrical

Stockton

1928

500

89,000

14,172.8

PFMG Solar

Huntington Beach

2009

76,623

14,073.7

RER Energy Group

Reading

2009

37,527

13,254.0

NEI Energy

Charlotte

2016

25,268

12,940.9

Solar Optimum

Glendale

2008

85,376

12,460.2

SunSystem Technology

Rancho Cordova

2013

104

23,661

12,174.2

Green Lantern Solar

100

Waterbury

2011

35,000

12,027.2

Pickett Solar

101

Fresno

1988

50,045

11,548.7

Got Electric

104

Gaithersburg

2006

40,000

11,089.0

Sustineo

105

San Diego

2007

150,133

11,019.0

Standard Solar

106

Rockville

2004

79,514

10,971.1

G&S Solar

107

New York

2009

81,657

10,789.9

Advanced Green Technologies

108

Fort Lauderdale

2007

245,957

10,700.0

C-TEC Solar

111

Bloomfield

2011

37,498

9,580.3

LightWave Solar

113

Nashville

2006

35,200

9,241.1

Scenic Hill Solar

114

Little Rock

2016

9,128

9,128.0

Key Solar

122

Holliston

2016

9,000

8,453.0

Encore Renewable Energy

123

Burlington

2007

25,187

8,442.0

Solar Technologies

125

San Ramon

1998

30,400

8,198.0

Infiniti Energy Services

126

Howell

2015

8,794

7,921.5

7 • 2018

Commercial_6-18_Vs3.indd 51

SOLAR POWER WORLD

7/11/18 11:38 AM

= EPC

= INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR

= ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR

= DEVELOPER

= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

COMM. RANK

TOTAL KILOWATTS STATE/ OVERALL COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED TERRITORY RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

M.B. Herzog Electric

127

Paramount

1974

225

46,738

7,493.0

Vista Solar

129

Santa Clara

2007

36,000

7,283.0

SunRenu Solar

133

Scottsdale

2008

15,332

6,854.4

O3 Energy

134

Dallas

2011

75,917

6,717.0

Shorebreak Energy Developers

136

Irvine

2010

64,000

6,514.6

GenPro Energy Solutions

138

Piedmont

2003

8,510

6,329.9

Newport Power

139

San Clemente

2008

31,102

6,251.9

SOLON

140

Tucson

2006

105,839

6,228.1

Sunvalley Solar

143

Walnut

2007

15,840

6,085.0

SunVest Solar

144

Pewaukee

2009

18,581

6,042.8

Paradise Energy Solutions

145

Paradise

2009

30,469

6,032.3

Solar Source

149

Largo

1984

197,842

5,654.5

Bithenergy

152

Baltimore

2009

79,000

5,400.0

Sun Light & Power

159

Berkeley

1976

28,240

4,752.3

Third Sun Solar

160

Athens

2000

16,706

4,685.6

Hannah Solar Government Services

161

Charleston

2010

15,024

4,631.6

Independence Solar

163

Essex

2007

26,467

4,576.0

TMI Electrical Solutions

164

Cincinnati

1983

28,500

4,559.7

Simpleray

165

Fairfield

2008

6,677

4,477.6

Renewable Energy Partners

167

Corona

2012

11,000

4,276.0

SunPeak

169

Madison

2014

7,730

4,179.0

GRNE Solar

170

Palatine

2012

10,000

4,010.0

Solar by CIR

174

Buffalo

1976

150

17,636

3,871.3

Invaleon Solar Technologies

176

Haverhill

2011

25,000

3,804.7

Sylvester & Cockrum

181

Winston-Salem

1985

175

18,722

3,722.1

GEM Energy

184

Walbridge

1955

45,151

3,454.0

Dovetail Solar and Wind

185

Cleveland

1995

20,819

3,429.0

Kiss Electric

188

Levittown

2000

4,645

3,367.2

Westcoast Solar Energy

189

Sebastopol

2009

13,295

3,295.0

Earthlight Technologies

190

Ellington

2008

9,430

3,281.3

Moxie Solar

192

North Liberty

2008

5,854

3,275.9

Tennessee Solar Solutions

198

Chattanooga

2007

13,935

3,093.0

Moore Energy

200

Southampton

2008

18,537

3,029.1

American Solar Power

213

Montrose

2009

14,471

2,551.3

Resolute Performance Contracting

214

Tempe

2011

55,019

2,509.3

Altenergy

216

Charlottesville

2004

7,890

2,429.4

SOLAR POWER WORLD

Commercial_6-18_Vs3.indd 52

7 â&#x20AC;¢ 2018

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= EPC

= INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR

= ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR

= DEVELOPER

= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

COMM. RANK

TOTAL KILOWATTS STATE/ OVERALL COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED TERRITORY RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

Sunrise Power Solutions

218

Brentwood

2008

2,840

2,349.0

A.M. Sun Solar

223

Paso Robles

2012

10,724

2,257.0

BriteStreet Energy Group

225

Denver

2012

3,500

2,218.6

North State Solar Energy

230

Forest Ranch

2002

16,782

2,131.6

Self Reliant Solar

235

Austin

2009

15,096

2,003.6

Osceola Energy

240

Albuquerque

2009

3,978

1,917.9

Ace LLC Solar

241

Pulaski

2009

4,000

1,865.9

Renewvia Energy

245

Atlanta

2009

15,803

1,803.6

Morton Solar

246

Evansville

2006

4,312

1,781.6

iDEAL Energies

252

Minneapolis

2010

6,647

1,683.9

Renewable Energy Systems of Indiana

254

Avilla

2008

3,100

1,663.0

Border Solar

255

El Paso

2008

10,293

1,631.3

Advanced Energy Systems

256

Eugene

2004

13,000

1,623.4

100

Sun Tribe Solar

257

Charlottesville

2016

1,959

1,597.1

Designed to Optimize Solar Energy

The amount of solar radiation reaching your power plant cannot be changed; however, you can make the most of it by choosing high quality equipment. Not only by selecting efficient generating technologies, but by installing the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best instruments to monitor the environmental parameters affecting your solar energy project performance. Whether it is to optimize yield, manage your assets, make investment decisions, schedule plant maintenance or to forecast the energy output reliably, we offer the instruments you need. From Kipp & Zonen smart pyranometers and Lufft weather stations, to the unique new DustIQ for continuous monitoring of module soiling, we have it all.

www.kippzonen.com/energy Commercial_6-18_Vs3.indd 53

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Residential Home

17.1 kW Skillman, New Jersey

How do solar group buy programs affect local residential contractors? Any mechanism that can be offered to the solar industry to help increase the proliferation of solar and help the market grow is a good thing. We believe solar group buy programs are beneficial for smaller contractors as they allow them access to equipment at prices they otherwise would not be able to negotiate as an individual entity. While this doesn’t negatively impact larger contractors like ourselves, it does increase the competition for access to those products at those prices and can play a part in our own negotiations. Overall, we are happy that group buy programs give purchasing power to new companies getting started, and we wish them success as our industry continues to thrive.

— Kristen Drigon, senior VP of corporate operations for Trinity Solar (No. 39 overall) = EPC

= INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR

= ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR

= DEVELOPER

= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

TOTAL KILOWATTS STATE/ RES. OVERALL COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED TERRITORY RANK RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

Sunnova

Houston

2012

280

279,741

82,797.0

Trinity Solar

Wall Township

1994

1,554

273,477

50,224.8

Titan Solar Power

Gilbert

2014

265

75,845

46,922.1

Momentum Solar

Metuchen

2009

606

55,365

35,365.5

PetersenDean

Fremont

1984

3,000

222,000

35,341.7

Namasté Solar

Boulder

2005

163

84,747

34,414.6

Semper Solaris

El Cajon

2012

305

63,370

19,370.3

Premier Solar Solutions

Phoenix

2004

146

80,000

19,073.8

ACE Solar

North Andover

2015

43,080

18,875.3

American Electric

Mililani

1946

150

88,253

17,351.0

ION Solar

Provo

2013

450

70,625

17,056.7

Skyline Solar

Hamilton

2010

51,337

15,033.4

Code Green Solar

Cherry Hill

2009

200

43,750

13,742.2

Sun Valley Solar Solutions

Chandler

2006

150

63,200

13,451.1

5 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD

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SPW.001.18_SOLAR_DCAD.pdf

2/22/18

7:37 AM

>400MWs

of energy storage inverters, DC converters and energy storage systems installed worldwide.

INCREASE pROJECT REVENUES

DC-coupled solar plus storage

Adding energy storage to a new or existing utility-scale

-solar installation with a Dynapower DC-DC converter can increase PV energy production through clipping recapture and low voltage harvest. Further adding to your bottom line, DC-coupled solar plus storage has a higher efﬁciency -than AC-coupled storage and is eligible for valuable tax incentives for installation owners. To learn more about how Dynapower’s patent-pending C

line of DC-DC converters can increase project revenues

and lower the installation costs of utility-scale solar plus

storage, please visit our website to download the

white paper.

CMY

To speak with a sales engineer today about modeling your project for energy storage, please call

1.877.759.4931.

SAMPLE 20MW PV INSTALLATION WITHOUT DC-COUPLED STORAGE

Annual Lost Production:

kWh 1,923,256kWs

275,000 249,548 231,174 231,046 Clipped PV Production kWh/Month

225,000 203,916 183,129

176,789

175,000

160,919 121,861

125,000

117,948

90,625

83,252

75,000

73,047

25,000 JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Inverter Loading Ratio = 1.45

WWW.DYNAPOWER.COM/DC-DC Dynapower 3-18.indd 81

250kW to 3MW

7/10/18 4:03 PM

= EPC

= INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR

= ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR

= DEVELOPER

= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

TOTAL KILOWATTS STATE/ RES. OVERALL COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED TERRITORY RANK RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

ReVision Energy

Portland

2003

250

38,629

13,055.0

Baker Electric Home Energy

Escondido

2007

184

57,731

12,672.8

GRID Alternatives

102

Oakland

2001

350

42,957

11,235.2

Envirosolar

103

San Antonio

2012

125

31,595

11,140.1

Southwest Sun Solar

109

Garden Grove

2014

100

23,500

10,500.0

Infinity Energy

110

Rocklin

2014

130

18,430

9,830.8

Renova Energy

112

Palm Desert

2006

160

40,332

9,397.8

Sullivan Solar Power

115

San Diego

2004

101

66,607

8,823.0

Sunpro Solar

116

Mandeville

2008

142

31,788

8,788.4

Solar Energy World

117

Elkridge

2009

105

38,600

8,687.6

Freedom Forever

118

Temecula

2013

219

23,000

8,682.8

SUNation Solar Systems

120

Ronkonkoma

2003

141

36,177

8,508.4

Auric Solar

121

West Valley City

2010

220

46,490

8,490.5

Southern Current

128

Charleston

2016

13,090

7,293.5

SEM Power

130

Tampa

2009

17,092

7,182.1

Powerhome Solar

132

Mooresville

2014

250

45,119

6,892.9

Sun Solar

135

Springfield

2012

115

27,368

6,704.4

LA Solar Group

137

Los Angeles

2012

19,464

6,502.4

Harmon Electric

141

Phoenix

1975

130

35,914

6,190.7

Renovus Solar

142

Ithaca

2003

10,000

6,188.8

Maximo Solar Industries

150

Aguadilla

2008

200

21,653

5,582.7

SunPower by Venture Solar

151

Brooklyn

2015

10,341

5,555.9

Intermountain WInd and Solar

153

Woods Cross

2008

105

29,727

5,388.8

V3 Electric

154

El Dorado Hills

2014

243

13,150

5,327.8

Ross Solar, a ConEdison Solutions Company

155

Danbury

2007

20,135

5,110.8

Apex Solar Power

156

Queensbury

2007

121

63,202

5,022.8

Sunny Energy

157

Tempe

2014

10,112

5,020.2

May Electric Solar

158

Hudson

2006

12,000

4,814.0

Alternative Energy Systems

162

Chico

2003

38,968

4,602.9

SolarFlair Energy

166

Ashland

2007

29,254

4,333.4

SunBug Solar

168

Arlington

2009

16,000

4,183.4

A&R Solar

171

Seattle

2007

13,046

3,984.1

Green Solar Technologies

172

Los Angeles

2011

115

15,000

3,910.8

SunPower by Stellar Solar

173

Oceanside

1998

50,000

3,899.2

Canopy Energy

175

Van Nuys

2016

100

4,864

3,813.3

A1A Solar Contracting

177

Jacksonville

2010

13,894

3,792.0

SOLAR POWER WORLD

Residential_6-18_Vs1.indd 56

7 â&#x20AC;¢ 2018

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 11:41 AM

ADVERTORIAL

Battery-Based Residential Renewable Energy Applications

Rolls Battery recommends working with NABCEP Certified Professionals www.nabcep.org

Whether you’re considering a grid-tied battery backup system to cover intermittent power outages or a full off-grid system for your home, selecting an appropriate battery type for your particular application and sizing to meet your energy storage requirements are the first steps in successful system design. With various battery technologies, voltage and capacity options available, this task is often overwhelming for the do-it-yourself homeowner. To avoid surprises and ensure the system meets your needs and expectations, we encourage you to work with a reputable certified professional before making any purchasing decisions. Improper system sizing and setup are a common cause of failure in battery-based systems and are often costly to repair or replace. Traditional flooded lead acid deep cycle batteries have been available for 100+ years and continue to be the most popular and widely available energy storage solution. For the ecoconscious consumer, lead acid batteries are also the most recycled consumer product in the U.S. with a recycling rate of 99.3%. Sealed AGM models offer similar technology with reduced maintenance requirements and are well-suited for applications where ventilation and access may be limited. Typically, mobility and weight are not a concern with stationary residential & commercial installs, favoring a proven lead acid battery technology over higher cost lithium alternatives in equivalent capacities. With ongoing maintenance and care, traditional deep cycle batteries continue to offer homeowners the best value when factoring cost, availability, scalable capacity options and cycle life. Solar, wind, hydro or a combination of renewable energy sources may be chosen. Each system is unique; one size does not fit all. Carefully balancing the size of the battery bank and ensuring the charge source will effectively and consistently recharge the batteries is key to prolonging the life of your investment.

7 • 2018

Surrette Rolls Battery 7-18.indd 81

SOLAR POWER WORLD

CHOSEN CHOSEN BY BY RENEWABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY ENERGY PROFESSIONALS FOR OVER PROFESSIONALS FOR OVER 30 30 YEARS, YEARS, ROLLS BATTERY IS YOUR RELIABLE, ROLLS BATTERY IS YOUR RELIABLE, LONG-LASTING LONG-LASTING BACKUP BACKUP & & OFF-GRID OFF-GRID ENERGY ENERGY STORAGE STORAGE SOLUTION. SOLUTION.

THERE’S THERE’S A A LOT LOT OF OF LIFE LIFE IN IN ONE ONE BATTERY. BATTERY.

PREMIUM DEEP CYCLE FLOODED AND PREMIUM DEEP CYCLEAGM FLOODED AND MAINTENANCE-FREE & GEL BATTERIES MAINTENANCE-FREE AGM & GEL BATTERIES ROLLSBATTERY.COM ROLLSBATTERY.COM

7/11/18 4:02 PM

= EPC

= INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR

= ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR

= DEVELOPER

= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

TOTAL KILOWATTS STATE/ RES. OVERALL COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED TERRITORY RANK RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

SunPower by EmPower Solar

178

Island Park

2003

22,252

3,772.9

Solar Solution

179

Washington

2008

15,197

3,767.2

Harvest Power

180

Bay Shore

2008

1,885

3,733.8

Wells Solar

182

Austin

2014

10,000

3,561.7

Boston Solar

183

Woburn

2011

24,949

3,472.8

CMI Solar & Electric

186

Newark

1998

20,786

3,385.7

Arise Solar

187

Fresno

2007

19,611

3,368.9

RGS Energy

191

Denver

1978

116

260,000

3,279.9

Nova West Solar

193

Fresno

2005

16,738

3,242.5

Sigora Solar

194

Charlottesville

2011

6,269

3,232.4

SunPower by Infinity Solar

195

Pearl River

2008

16,750

3,211.5

Lighthouse Solar Texas

196

Austin

2007

12,000

3,157.5

SunPower by Precis

197

Wildomar

2009

34,882

3,126.4

Alder Energy Systems

199

Charleston

2008

9,445

3,053.5

Long Island Power Solutions

201

Islandia

2009

11,700

2,970.0

Green Power Energy

202

Annandale

2009

9,854

2,954.9

EcoMark Solar

203

Denver

2010

140

13,888

2,923.1

SunPower by Positive Energy Solar

204

Santa Fe

1997

22,500

2,906.2

Kopp Electric Company

205

Toms River

1994

14,048

2,903.0

South Texas Solar Systems

206

San Antonio

2007

7,120

2,852.0

Palomar Solar

207

Escondido

2009

13,028

2,828.2

Magic Sun Solar

208

Loomis

2010

9,870

2,803.3

SunPower by Sea Bright Solar

209

Ocean Township

2003

17,688

2,687.9

Creative Energies

210

Lander

2001

10,360

2,644.1

RevoluSun Smart Home

211

Honolulu

2009

155

55,000

2,634.1

Pingo Solar

212

Buena Park

2016

3,950

2,560.4

American Sentry Solar

215

Bel Air

1993

120

11,333

2,483.1

Geoscape Solar

217

Florham Park

2008

11,000

2,352.6

Shine Solar

219

Bentonville

2016

2,846

2,307.4

Freedom Solar Power

220

Austin

2007

33,200

2,264.9

Synergy Power

221

Sandy

1999

13,400

2,262.3

RevoluSun

222

Burlington

2012

7,877

2,260.9

StraightUp Solar

224

St. Louis

2006

10,268

2,224.3

Mega Solar

226

Chatsworth

2012

9,264

2,218.2

Clean Solar

227

San Jose

2007

12,416

2,216.1

Smart Energy Today

228

Olympia

2008

5,800

2,200.3

SOLAR POWER WORLD

Residential_6-18_Vs1.indd 58

7 â&#x20AC;¢ 2018

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 11:41 AM

= EPC

= INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR

= ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR

= DEVELOPER

= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR

= MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

TOTAL KILOWATTS STATE/ RES. OVERALL COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED TERRITORY RANK RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

Photon Brothers

229

Denver

2013

9,574

2,152.2

Sunlux

231

Ontario

2015

2,764

2,116.5

Current Electric

232

Brookfield

1983

5,581

2,056.6

Solar Chief

233

Columbia

2015

3,252

2,053.3

NC Solar Now

234

Raleigh

2010

7,210

2,004.6

PV Squared

236

Greenfield

2002

12,000

2,000.6

Solarponics

237

Atascadero

1975

10,530

1,993.1

Yes Solar Solutions

238

Cary

2009

7,350

1,979.8

PowerLutions Solar

239

Lakewood

2008

8,500

1,944.8

Universal Solar Direct

242

Las Vegas

2015

7,000

1,846.8

Sunlight Solar Energy

243

Bend

1988

7,000

1,845.1

Solar States

244

Philadelphia

2008

3,866

1,820.0

Your Energy Solutions

247

Dublin

2008

6,500

1,781.2

100

Good Energy Solutions

248

Lawrence

2007

3,557

1,735.3

PV K I T ™ 2. 0 IMPROVED DESIGN. EASIER TO INSTALL. S-5!® has introduced a new and improved PV Kit, boasting lower installation time and cost for PV flush-mounting. The kit comes preassembled with both MidGrab and EdgeGrab for easier and more efficient installation. A single tool drives the top bolt, eliminating several installation steps. The PV Kit 2.0 features more aggressive bonding teeth for better grounding. Fewer lugs/ground wires required.

PV KIT 2.0 ADVANTAGES •

Pre-assembled components save time and money

•

Low profile bolt head provides a flush, clean finish

•

Only one tool needed for installation

•

Also available in black by special order

•

Bolt head uses standard hex bit tip which is provided

•

One inch gap between modules, allowing load reduction per ASCE7

•

Improved single piece EdgeGrab installs with ease

•

UL 2703 Listed (Pending)

Top: PV Kit™ 2.0 with EdgeGrab Bottom: PV Kit™ with MidGrab

The Right Way!™ | www.s-5.com | 888-825-3432

Residential_6-18_Vs1.indd 59

7/11/18 11:42 AM

What do you do with broken or damaged panels? Black & Veatch uses slightly damaged panels from previous builds in our ‘Micro Grid in a Box’ installations that support disaster recovery and resiliency efforts, and also to provide temporary power on our construction projects. We also work with local authorities and recyclers to determine the appropriate waste streams to maximize component reclamation and reuse, and ultimately divergence from a landfill.

— Troy Ochoa, associate VP and project director of utility-scale renewables at Black & Veatch (No. 9 overall)

Hammock Solar Station 74.5 MW Labelle, Florida

= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR

= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK CITY KILOWATTS IN 2017

Swinerton Renewable Energy

San Francisco

1888

437

3,220,510

889,600.0

Mortenson

Minneapolis

1954

5,000

2,972,700

730,600.0

Helix Electric

San Diego

1985

2,600

2,381,000

550,370.0

Rosendin Electric

San Jose

1919

5,500

2,200,000

374,630.0

McCarthy Building Cos.

St. Louis

1864

1,963

1,173,700

370,000.0

Signal Energy

Chattanooga

2005

1,491,927

347,100.0

Black & Veatch

Overland Park

1915

10,000

608,000

346,403.0

DEPCOM Power

Scottsdale

2013

104

590,000

291,500.0

Bombard Renewable Energy

Las Vegas

1982

500

639,527

235,848.3

Hanwha Q CELLS USA

Irvine

2000

181,990

151,500.0

SOLAR POWER WORLD

EPC_6-18_Vs2kp.indd 60

7 • 2018

MARKET

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 11:46 AM

SolarFlexrack 7-18.indd 81

7/10/18 4:21 PM

M+W Energy

Union

2009

130

847,339

117,938.7

Conti Solar

Edison

1906

329,860

99,860.0

Origis Technics

Miami

2008

98,000

98,000.0

AUI Partners

Fort Worth

2005

825,000

94,400.0

Moss

Fort Lauderdale

2004

685

872,715

82,700.0

REC Solar

San Luis Obispo

1997

125

340,545

78,279.4

Trinity Solar

Wall Township

1994

1,554

273,477

50,224.8

Cenergy Power

Merced

2008

248,434

47,135.0

Faith Technologies

Menasha

1972

2,577

167,000

44,598.0

Joule Energy

New Orleans

2009

55,000

39,309.1

A-C Solar

Bakersfield

1945

320

261,696

36,863.5

J. Ranck Electric

Mount Pleasant

1986

275

205,419

36,082.5

Momentum Solar

Metuchen

2009

606

55,365

35,365.5

Namasté Solar

Boulder

2005

163

84,747

34,414.6

Peck Solar

South Burlington

1972

130

110,874

28,783.8

CalCom Energy

Visalia

2012

76,000

27,882.6

Affordable Solar Installation

Albuquerque

1998

91,000

26,643.5

MC Power Companies

Lees Summit

2011

64,990

26,201.0

Axium Solar

Plano

2008

43,460

25,501.5

Pfister Energy

Hawthorne

2005

120,000

23,885.0

United Renewable Energy

Alpharetta

2008

80,662

23,038.0

JKB Energy

Turlock

1982

90,000

22,565.8

Hannah Solar

Atlanta

2008

105

82,000

21,031.0

Premier Solar Solutions

Phoenix

2004

146

80,000

19,073.8

ACE Solar

North Andover

2015

43,080

18,875.3

Efficient Energy of Tennessee

Powell

2009

33,389

17,705.0

Solar Landscape

Neptune

1985

65,108

17,673.5

ION Solar

Provo

2013

450

70,625

17,056.7

S&C Electric Company

Chicago

1911

3,000

280,599

16,929.0

Newkirk Electric Associates

Muskegon

1961

550

113,071

14,240.0

Collins Electrical

Stockton

1928

500

89,000

14,172.8

Radiance Solar

Atlanta

2007

75,000

13,795.5

Code Green Solar

Cherry Hill

2009

200

43,750

13,742.2

Sun Valley Solar Solutions

Chandler

2006

150

63,200

13,451.1

NEI Energy

Charlotte

2016

25,268

12,940.9

Pickett Solar

101

Fresno

1988

50,045

11,548.7

Sustineo

105

San Diego

2007

150,133

11,019.0

SOLAR POWER WORLD

EPC_6-18_Vs2kp.indd 62

7 • 2018

MARKET

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 11:46 AM

Huawei 7-18.indd 81

7/10/18 4:07 PM

Standard Solar

106

Rockville

2004

79,514

10,971.1

Advanced Green Technologies

108

Fort Lauderdale

2007

245,957

10,700.0

Southwest Sun Solar

109

Garden Grove

2014

100

23,500

10,500.0

C-TEC Solar

111

Bloomfield

2011

37,498

9,580.3

Renova Energy

112

Palm Desert

2006

160

40,332

9,397.8

LightWave Solar

113

Nashville

2006

35,200

9,241.1

Solar Energy World

117

Elkridge

2009

105

38,600

8,687.6

Freedom Forever

118

Temecula

2013

219

23,000

8,682.8

SUNation Solar Systems

120

Ronkonkoma

2003

141

36,177

8,508.4

Auric Solar

121

West Valley City

2010

220

46,490

8,490.5

Key Solar

122

Holliston

2016

9,000

8,453.0

Solar Technologies

125

San Ramon

1998

30,400

8,198.0

Southern Current

128

Charleston

2016

13,090

7,293.5

SEM Power

130

Tampa

2009

17,092

7,182.1

SunRenu Solar

133

Scottsdale

2008

15,332

6,854.4

Sun Solar

135

Springfield

2012

115

27,368

6,704.4

GenPro Energy Solutions

138

Piedmont

2003

8,510

6,329.9

140

Tucson

2006

105,839

6,228.1

65 SOLON 66

Renovus Solar

142

Ithaca

2003

10,000

6,188.8

Sunvalley Solar

143

Walnut

2007

15,840

6,085.0

Paradise Energy Solutions

145

Paradise

2009

30,469

6,032.3

TVAEnergy

146

Franklin

2016

7,810

5,810.0

Azimuth Energy

147

St. Louis

2014

20,000

5,764.0

Solar Source

149

Largo

1984

197,842

5,654.5

Maximo Solar Industries

150

Aguadilla

2008

200

21,653

5,582.7

SunPower by Venture Solar

151

Brooklyn

2015

10,341

5,555.9

74 Ross Solar, a ConEdison Solutions Company

155

Danbury

2007

20,135

5,110.8

Sunny Energy

157

Tempe

2014

10,112

5,020.2

Sun Light & Power

159

Berkeley

1976

28,240

4,752.3

Third Sun Solar

160

Athens

2000

16,706

4,685.6

Hannah Solar Government Services

161

Charleston

2010

15,024

4,631.6

Alternative Energy Systems

162

Chico

2003

38,968

4,602.9

Independence Solar

163

Essex

2007

26,467

4,576.0

TMI Electrical Solutions

164

Cincinnati

1983

28,500

4,559.7

Simpleray

165

Fairfield

2008

6,677

4,477.6

SolarFlair Energy

166

Ashland

2007

29,254

4,333.4

Renewable Energy Partners

167

Corona

2012

11,000

4,276.0

6 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD

EPC_6-18_Vs2kp.indd 64

7 â&#x20AC;¢ 2018

MARKET

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 11:47 AM

GRNE Solar

170

Palatine

2012

10,000

4,010.0

Green Solar Technologies

172

Los Angeles

2011

115

15,000

3,910.8

SunPower by Stellar Solar

173

Oceanside

1998

50,000

3,899.2

Invaleon Solar Technologies

176

Haverhill

2011

25,000

3,804.7

Sylvester & Cockrum

181

Winston-Salem

1985

175

18,722

3,722.1

Wells Solar

182

Austin

2014

10,000

3,561.7

GEM Energy

184

Walbridge

1955

45,151

3,454.0

Dovetail Solar and Wind

185

Cleveland

1995

20,819

3,429.0

CMI Solar & Electric

186

Newark

1998

20,786

3,385.7

Kiss Electric

188

Levittown

2000

4,645

3,367.2

Westcoast Solar Energy

189

Sebastopol

2009

13,295

3,295.0

Earthlight Technologies

190

Ellington

2008

9,430

3,281.3

RGS Energy

191

Denver

1978

116

260,000

3,279.9

Moxie Solar

192

North Liberty

2008

5,854

3,275.9

Nova West Solar

193

Fresno

2005

16,738

3,242.5

100

Sigora Solar

194

Charlottesville

2011

6,269

3,232.4

EPC_6-18_Vs2kp.indd 65

MARKET

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

7/11/18 11:47 AM

Where do you see the biggest solar growth potential? We see increasing growth in C&I as well as utility offtake markets. Electricity procurement by corporations from large off-site solar facilities, through direct procurement or green sleeve/green tariff structures, represents the fastest growing strategic leg for future solar markets. For U.S. utility offtakers, we believe the fastest growing markets for the next three to five years will be the wider Southeast, Pacific, Texas and the Midwest. Texas will live up to its promising prospectus eventually. The Southeast should benefit from its major economic development efforts that seem to be successfully attracting new industrial investments from Fortune 500 corporations with clear sustainability and renewables targets.

— Guy Vanderhaegen, president and CEO of Origis Energy USA (No. 12 overall)

= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR

144 MW Sumrall, Mississippi

= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

Cypress Creek Renewables

Santa Monica

2014

539

2,102,887

869,014.0

Origis Energy USA

Miami

2008

407,480

260,000.0

Coronal Energy

Pasadena

2015

105

780,000

145,370.0

Sunpin Solar

Irvine

2012

114,400

99,600.0

Carolina Solar Energy

Durham

2004

264,170

84,200.0

Sunnova

Houston

2012

280

279,741

82,797.0

Inovateus Solar

South Bend

2008

359,000

77,801.0

Ameresco

Framingham

2000

953

203,768

43,495.0

Greenskies Renewable Energy

Middletown

2008

187,038

33,774.0

Nexamp

Boston

2007

84,290

33,176.8

Solar Liberty

Buffalo

2003

60,000

30,072.8

EnterSolar

New York

2005

92,483

29,483.1

Solect Energy

Hopkinton

2009

80,291

23,291.1

SOLAR POWER WORLD

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= UTILITY CONTRACTOR

MS Solar 2 and 3

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 11:55 AM

PermaCity

Los Angeles

2003

70,000

18,711.6

Innovative Power Systems

Roseville

1991

43,367

17,586.8

Monolith Solar

Albany

2009

105

40,492

14,324.3

PFMG Solar

Huntington Beach

2009

76,623

14,073.7

RER Energy Group

Reading

2009

37,527

13,254.0

Solar Optimum

Glendale

2008

85,376

12,460.2

Green Lantern Solar

100

Waterbury

2011

35,000

12,027.2

G&S Solar

107

New York

2009

81,657

10,789.9

Scenic Hill Solar

114

Little Rock

2016

9,128

9,128.0

Encore Renewable Energy

123

Burlington

2007

25,187

8,442.0

esaSolar

124

Lake Mary

2010

623,261

8,261.2

Vista Solar

129

Santa Clara

2007

36,000

7,283.0

MARKET

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

Because flat roofs are never flat New Online Configurator

Start your next solar project with a great foundation

3Cdrilling.com Carports – Parking Structures Ground Mounts – Specialty Structures info@sollega.com www.sollega.com 7 • 2018 Sollega_2-17_Vs3.indd 1

Developer_6-18_Vs1.indd 67

Booth #9215

SOLAR POWER WORLD

67 7/11/18 4:09 PM

7/11/18 4:11 PM

What’s your opinion of online solar marketplaces? From my perspective, EnergySage provides a one-stop shop for homeowners interested in making the switch to solar. These online marketplaces help piece together the solar puzzle by offering invaluable tools for prospective clients to learn everything from the basics to filling in the blanks on topics like off-grid installations. An online platform can be less intimidating than the initial face-toface meeting with a salesperson. Solar companies can really benefit from the education EnergySage offers like solar options and technology, ability to view multiple bids and view company ratings. All these things can help dismiss a homeowner’s hesitations about solar.

Residential Install

— David Williamson, CEO

and co-founder of Titan Solar Power (No. 42 overall)

= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR

= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

Titan Solar Power

Gilbert

2014

265

75,845

46,922.1

PetersenDean

Fremont

1984

3,000

222,000

35,341.7

Semper Solaris

El Cajon

2012

305

63,370

19,370.3

Skyline Solar

Hamilton

2010

51,337

15,033.4

ReVision Energy

Portland

2003

250

38,629

13,055.0

Baker Electric Home Energy

Escondido

2007

184

57,731

12,672.8

GRID Alternatives

102

Oakland

2001

350

42,957

11,235.2

Envirosolar

103

San Antonio

2012

125

31,595

11,140.1

Infinity Energy

110

Rocklin

2014

130

18,430

9,830.8

Sullivan Solar Power

115

San Diego

2004

101

66,607

8,823.0

Sunpro Solar

116

Mandeville

2008

142

31,788

8,788.4

Powerhome Solar

132

Mooresville

2014

250

45,119

6,892.9

LA Solar Group

137

Los Angeles

2012

19,464

6,502.4

Newport Power

139

San Clemente

2008

31,102

6,251.9

SOLAR POWER WORLD

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7 • 2018

MARKET

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR

16.2 kW Goodyear, Arizona

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 11:56 AM

Harmon Electric

141

Phoenix

1975

130

35,914

6,190.7

Intermountain WInd and Solar

153

Woods Cross

2008

105

29,727

5,388.8

V3 Electric

154

El Dorado Hills

2014

243

13,150

5,327.8

Apex Solar Power

156

Queensbury

2007

121

63,202

5,022.8

SunBug Solar

168

Arlington

2009

16,000

4,183.4

A&R Solar

171

Seattle

2007

13,046

3,984.1

A1A Solar Contracting

177

Jacksonville

2010

13,894

3,792.0

SunPower by EmPower Solar

178

Island Park

2003

22,252

3,772.9

Solar Solution

179

Washington

2008

15,197

3,767.2

Harvest Power

180

Bay Shore

2008

1,885

3,733.8

Boston Solar

183

Woburn

2011

24,949

3,472.8

Arise Solar

187

Fresno

2007

19,611

3,368.9

MARKET

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

Visit us at SPI Sept. 24-27

7 • 2018

Rooftop_6-18_Vs1.indd 69

SOLAR POWER WORLD

7/11/18 11:56 AM

SunPower by Precis

197

Wildomar

2009

34,882

3,126.4

Long Island Power Solutions

201

Islandia

2009

11,700

2,970.0

EcoMark Solar

203

Denver

2010

140

13,888

2,923.1

SunPower by Positive Energy Solar

204

Santa Fe

1997

22,500

2,906.2

Kopp Electric Company

205

Toms River

1994

14,048

2,903.0

Magic Sun Solar

208

Loomis

2010

9,870

2,803.3

SunPower by Sea Bright Solar

209

Ocean Township

2003

17,688

2,687.9

RevoluSun Smart Home

211

Honolulu

2009

155

55,000

2,634.1

Sunrise Power Solutions

218

Brentwood

2008

2,840

2,349.0

RevoluSun

222

Burlington

2012

7,877

2,260.9

Clean Solar

227

San Jose

2007

12,416

2,216.1

Sunlux

231

Ontario

2015

2,764

2,116.5

NC Solar Now

234

Raleigh

2010

7,210

2,004.6

PV Squared

236

Greenfield

2002

12,000

2,000.6

Yes Solar Solutions

238

Cary

2009

7,350

1,979.8

Universal Solar Direct

242

Las Vegas

2015

7,000

1,846.8

Your Energy Solutions

247

Dublin

2008

6,500

1,781.2

EIS Solar

250

Pittsburgh

2008

6,280

1,727.3

Cosmic Solar

251

Vista

2007

17,000

1,687.5

NATiVE

253

Austin

2007

16,274

1,673.5

263

Cleveland

2009

4,258

1,431.5

47 YellowLite 48

New Day Solar

264

Winchester

1997

21,875

1,375.3

Scudder Roofing Sun Energy Systems

265

Marina

2006

10,480

1,374.7

Puget Sound Solar

271

Seattle

2001

8,920

1,265.8

Icon Solar Power

273

Milford

2009

6,448

1,248.9

New England Clean Energy

277

Hudson

2006

8,468

1,195.6

Milholland Electric

278

El Cajon

1990

19,200

1,193.5

3D Solar

279

Odessa

2013

4,335

1,186.8

All American Solar

280

Orange City

2015

8,475

1,152.7

SunPower by BlueSel Home Solar

282

Sandwich

2009

4,181

1,138.3

Arch Electric

286

Plymouth

2004

6,500

1,096.2

Sol-Up USA

288

Las Vegas

2009

4,583

1,072.6

Victory Solar

290

Houston

2016

1,064

1,064.5

IQ Power

296

Sanford

2009

4,449

1,029.0

Hytech Solar

298

Bay Shore

2018

3,467

1,020.0

Elemental Energy

301

Portland

2010

3,279

1,001.6

Western Solar

303

Bellingham

2002

5,934

996.8

SOLAR POWER WORLD

Rooftop_6-18_Vs1.indd 70

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MARKET

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 11:57 AM

Clayco Electric

305

San Diego

2010

2,000

975.0

Solar CenTex

311

Harker Heights

2012

3,128

920.7

Peak View Solar

313

Colorado Springs

2009

2,561

911.5

Southern Energy Management

314

Raleigh

2001

24,327

905.4

Mass Renewables

315

Bellingham

2009

4,921

901.0

South Sound Solar

316

Olympia

2008

4,060

901.0

Green Street Solar

317

Selbyville

2008

3,962

898.8

Exact Solar

319

Yardley

2005

2,697

870.3

Sol Luna Solar

323

Dixon

1991

3,500

833.5

Southard Solar and Construction

326

Longmont

2005

4,622

810.8

Cromwell Solar

327

Lawrence

1985

5,354

766.7

SunHarvest Solar

331

Phoenix

2009

20,725

725.8

Highlight Solar

332

San Jose

2010

3,700

721.1

Whole Sun Designs

335

Bloomington

2011

1,515

708.5

Robco Electric

337

Las Vegas

1997

7,381

705.9

Renu Energy Solutions

341

Charlotte

2010

3,300

687.6

The Solar Store

344

Tucson

1998

4,229

677.3

Southern Solar Systems

345

Huntsville

2007

4,437

677.0

Cutler Bay Solar Solutions

347

Miami

2013

3,000

644.3

Skytech Solar

350

San Francisco

2008

6,540

628.4

Custom Solar and Leisure

351

Tucson

2007

2,807

622.2

Stellar Energy Contractors

352

Wheat Ridge

2008

2,657

610.3

Atlasta Solar Center

353

Grand Junction

1979

5,600

609.6

Cotuit Solar

354

Marstons Mills

1988

4,192

605.3

Sunbridge Solar

358

Vancouver

2010

2,677

601.7

Built Well Solar

362

Wantagh

2001

8,800

571.0

Tampa Bay Solar

364

Tampa

2010

2,500

546.4

Cape Fear Solar Systems

365

Wilmington

2007

3,230

538.2

Sunshine Solar Services

372

Fort Lauderdale

2007

2,549

508.8

Roof Power Solar

374

Rich Hill

2012

2,870

502.3

South Mountain Company

376

West Tisbury

1975

3,077

483.3

Ecohouse Solar

379

Columbus

2008

1,600

462.9

Brightstar Solar

381

Marlborough

2009

2,266

459.2

Main Street Solar

384

Fincastle

2008

1,644

445.7

Solar-Fit

387

Holly Hill

1975

3,194

438.8

Earth Electric

388

San Jose

2009

1,680

438.5

100

Cinnamon Energy Systems

390

Campbell

2012

1,040

430.1

7 • 2018

Rooftop_6-18_Vs1.indd 71

MARKET

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

SOLAR POWER WORLD

7/11/18 11:57 AM

What’s key to establishing good relationships with EPCs and developers? It’s simple. Beyond providing a competitive price, it’s important to be a good partner and leader throughout pre-construction and construction and, more importantly, during challenging situations. Everyone talks about delivering the project on time and on budget, but for our developer and EPC partners we start the process early on, working diligently to mitigate all risks that can affect the project before we put boots on the ground.

— Jeff Calabro, executive VP of business development and preconstruction at Arraycon (No. 4 overall)

Tranquility Solar 256 MW Fresno, California

= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR

= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

Arraycon

Sacramento

2009

200

2,487,640

616,640.0

HCS Renewable Energy

Georgetown

2014

227

888,000

335,100.0

RP Construction Services (RPCS)

Monterey

2014

350,000

165,777.0

J&B Solar

Cocoa

2013

524,000

164,023.0

Granite Construction

Watsonville

1922

5,000

1,000,000

142,627.0

M Bar C Construction

San Marcos

2005

175

350,000

81,850.4

Sunstall

Novato

2011

287,000

36,358.0

Baja Construction

Martinez

1981

135

212,000

33,552.8

Synergy Solar

Plymouth

2013

250,750

33,424.0

LASE Solar

Doylestown

2016

43,971

31,920.6

SOLAR POWER WORLD

Installation_6-18_Vs2kp.indd 72

7 • 2018

MARKET

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 12:02 PM

Alten Energy

Miami

2010

45,343

21,122.6

Kuykendall Solar

Coarsegold

2010

66,721

17,877.9

Solar Ground-N-Pound

Hamlin

2016

19,953

14,560.0

Elite Electric

Riverside

1979

186,352

14,312.0

SunSystem Technology

Rancho Cordova

2013

104

23,661

12,174.2

Infiniti Energy Services

126

Howell

2015

8,794

7,921.5

Patriot Solar Group

148

Albion

2005

135,000

5,655.0

American Solar Power

213

Montrose

2009

14,471

2,551.3

Resolute Performance Contracting

214

Tempe

2011

55,019

2,509.3

iDEAL Energies

252

Minneapolis

2010

6,647

1,683.9

PEP Solar

292

Phoenix

1978

14,380

1,047.7

Fresco Solar

312

Morgan Hill

2007

4,865

916.7

Solar Grid USA

324

Hayward

2014

2,527

827.0

American Made Solar and Wind

325

Weslaco

2005

9,000

820.5

Sunlight Enterprises

349

Orlando

2003

3,509

629.2

MARKET

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

Power (kW) and Energy (kWh) Meters for Solar

Technology • Development • Installation

Engaged B E C O M E

VISIT US | LIKE US | TWEET US | CONNECT WITH US

Installation_6-18_Vs2kp.indd 73

Revenue-Grade and Standard AC Metering PV Production Metering • Consumption Metering Net Metering • Zero Export Metering Battery Storage Metering 1-888-928-8663 sales@ctlsys.com www.ctlsys.com

7/11/18 12:02 PM

Are you seeing the industry transition to 1,500-volt products? Beginning in 2015, we have seen more and more 1,500-volt systems being introduced in the utility-scale solar industry. These products are being used in these areas because they are a more cost-efficient design option, and 1,500-volt systems will likely be the prevailing voltage for a while in utility-scale solar until the next efficiency jump. The solar industry will continue to move forward, pushing the boundaries and limits as far as we can, seeking out more efficient means and methods. Perhaps the question we should be asking is, “Are we seeing the industry transition to 2,000-volt products?”

Westmont Solar Project

— Dan Sicard, director of preconstruction for utility solar at Baker Electric (No. 15 overall)

= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR

= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR

= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK CITY KILOWATTS IN 2017

CSI Electrical Contractors

Santa Fe Springs

1990

850

1,453,930

222,104.6

Baker Electric

Escondido

1938

622

1,558,362

213,318.2

E Light Electric Services

Englewood

1998

170

1,759,550

176,030.0

Knobelsdorff Electric

Goodhue

1997

152

221,000

135,000.0

Pure Power Contractors

Waxhaw

2012

265,000

134,160.0

Watson Electrical Construction

Wilson

1935

675

282,880

106,500.0

EC Electric

Portland

1946

1,000

100,000

70,008.4

SEI Professional Services (SEIPS)

Paonia

2015

150,000

66,142.0

Oxbow Sunworks

Stillwater

2013

110

240,000

48,112.0

Hypower

Fort Lauderdale

1991

480

622,011

42,011.0

Riggs Distler

Cherry Hill

1909

1,100

178,407

24,341.0

American Electric

Mililani

1946

150

88,253

17,351.0

DKD Electric

Albuquerque

1978

254

382,294

12,173.5

Got Electric

104

Gaithersburg

2006

40,000

11,089.0

Casey Electric

119

Tell City

2000

18,000

8,564.1

M.B. Herzog Electric

127

Paramount

1974

225

46,738

7,493.0

May Electric Solar

158

Hudson

2006

12,000

4,814.0

Solar by CIR

174

Buffalo

1976

150

17,636

3,871.3

Current Electric

232

Brookfield

1983

5,581

2,056.6

Renewable Construction Services

407

New Bedford

2013

5,079

311.5

SOLAR POWER WORLD

Electrical_6-18_Vs1.indd 74

7 • 2018

MARKET

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR

16.6 MW San Pedro, California

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 12:05 PM

TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS

BY STATE Imagine Energy

Key Solar Monolith Solar Belmont Solar

Vista Solar

Photon Brothers

Kuykendall Solar M Bar C Construction

Momentum Solar

Pure Power Contractors

DEPCOM Power

O3 Energy

Solar Source

Each U.S. state and territory has its own unique solar market, and the contractors on our list represent most of them. Here are 11 regions with the most Top Solar Contractors. We highlight one company (or a few) from each to see the similarities and differences in solar regulations, activities and predictions from across the country.

Recognizing local solar businesses doing hard work.

INTRO States_Vs2KP.indd 1

7/11/18 12:05 PM

What software solution could your company not survive without?

— John Schroeder, VP of plant operations for DEPCOM Power (No. 11 overall)

*Although headquartered in the state, DEPCOM Power has not yet installed a solar project in Arizona due to lack of utility-scale-solar-friendly policies.

SOLAR POWER WORLD

Arizona_6-18_Vs3kp.indd 76

IS-42 Solar

71 MW Cumberland County, North Carolina* = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR = MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

DEPCOM Power

Scottsdale

2013

104

590,000 291,500.0

Titan Solar Power

Gilbert

2014

265

75,845

46,922.1

Premier Solar Solutions

Phoenix

2004

146

80,000

19,073.8

Sun Valley Solar Solutions

Chandler

2006

150

63,200

13,451.1

SunRenu Solar

133

Scottsdale

2008

15,332

6,854.4

SOLON

140

Tucson

2006

105,839

6,228.1

Harmon Electric

141

Phoenix

1975

130

35,914

6,190.7

Sunny Energy

157

Tempe

2014

10,112

5,020.2

Resolute Performance Contracting

214

Tempe

2011

55,019

2,509.3

Empire Renewable Energy

267

Phoenix

2010

23,675

1,346.1

PEP Solar

292

Phoenix

1978

14,380

1,047.7

SunHarvest Solar

331

Phoenix

2009

20,725

725.8

The Solar Store

344

Tucson

1998

4,229

677.3

Cool Blew Solar & Electric

346

Peoria

2010

1,963

671.7

Custom Solar and Leisure

351

Tucson

2007

2,807

622.2

7 • 2018

MARKET

DEPCOM Power designs, builds and operates utility solar plants for our customers across the United States. The ability to monitor the plant and respond in real time is critical to our O&M performance. Ignition is a human machine interface (HMI) software that allows our operators to centrally monitor and control all of our clients’ solar plants. Ignition is a vital part of our data collection, machine learning and complex analysis engine. This suite of software helps DEPCOM prevent failures, respond more quickly and analyze the performance of each component in the solar plant. Ignition also provides business intelligence through graphical representations of the solar plants, with reporting and trending that is built right into the tool.

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 12:09 PM

How do you keep a steady pipeline of developer and EPC partners?

San Diego International Airport 2.3 MW San Diego, California

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

Swinerton Renewable Energy

San Francisco 1888

437

3,220,510 889,600.0

Cypress Creek Renewables

Santa Monica 2014

539

2,102,887 869,014.0

Arraycon

Sacramento

2009

200

2,487,640 616,640.0

Helix Electric

San Diego

1985

2,600

2,381,000 550,370.0

Rosendin Electric

San Jose

1919

5,500

2,200,000 374,630.0

CSI Electrical Contractors

Santa Fe Springs

1990

850

1,453,930 222,104.6

Baker Electric

Escondido

1938

622

1,558,362 213,318.2

RP Construction Services (RPCS)

Monterey

2014

350,000 165,777.0

Hanwha Q CELLS USA

Irvine

2000

181,990 151,500.0

Coronal Energy

Pasadena

2015

105

780,000 145,370.0

Granite Construction

Watsonville

1922

5,000

1,000,000 142,627.0

Sunpin Solar

Irvine

2012

114,400

99,600.0

M Bar C Construction

San Marcos

2005

175

350,000

81,850.4

REC Solar

San Luis Obispo

1997

125

340,545

78,279.4

Cenergy Power

Merced

2008

248,434

47,135.0

MARKET

= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR = MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

While communication is key in keeping the pipeline steady, so is the product we deliver. Safety, quality, integrity and efficiency are among the many reasons customers come to us for repeat projects. We are quick and efficient while being safe, maintaining a clean worksite and providing an aesthetically pleasing end product. Many people change jobs and go to new companies in the solar industry. As they enter new companies, they remember us, and this leads to new opportunities and partnerships.

— Neil Bradley, director of sales and marketing at M Bar C Construction (No. 34 overall)

7 • 2018

California_6-18_Vs3.indd 77

SOLAR POWER WORLD

7/11/18 12:14 PM

How do you see the mandate for solar on all new homes playing out?

— Liz Kuykendall, coowner and director of business operations for Kuykendall Solar (No. 76 overall)

SOLAR POWER WORLD

California_6-18_Vs3.indd 78

Cinemark

218 kW Downey, California = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR = MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

A-C Solar

Bakersfield

1945

320

261,696

36,863.5

Sunstall

Novato

2011

287,000

36,358.0

PetersenDean

Fremont

1984

3,000

222,000

35,341.7

Baja Construction

Martinez

1981

135

212,000

33,552.8

CalCom Energy

Visalia

2012

76,000

27,882.6

JKB Energy

Turlock

1982

90,000

22,565.8

Semper Solaris

El Cajon

2012

305

63,370

19,370.3

PermaCity

Los Angeles

2003

70,000

18,711.6

Kuykendall Solar

Coarsegold

2010

66,721

17,877.9

Elite Electric

Riverside

1979

186,352

14,312.0

Collins Electrical

Stockton

1928

500

89,000

14,172.8

PFMG Solar

Huntington Beach 2009

76,623

14,073.7

Baker Electric Home Energy

Escondido

2007

184

57,731

12,672.8

Solar Optimum

Glendale

2008

85,376

12,460.2

SunSystem Technology

Rancho Cordova

2013

104

23,661

12,174.2

Pickett Solar

101

Fresno

1988

50,045

11,548.7

GRID Alternatives

102

Oakland

2001

350

42,957

11,235.2

Sustineo

105

San Diego

2007

150,133

11,019.0

Southwest Sun Solar

109

Garden Grove 2014

100

23,500

10,500.0

Infinity Energy

110

Rocklin

130

18,430

9,830.8

7 • 2018

2014

MARKET

What this new solar mandate does is reduce California’s energy usage in new homes by more than 50%; however, it does so without regard to the welfare of the solar industry, utility infrastructure costs, job creation or the housing market/economy as a whole. In the next few decades, residential solar companies will be competing for new or track-home projects composed of multiple 2- to 3-kW jobs or retrofit projects that will be significantly reduced in size (and profit). The tradeoff? California will lead the nation in prioritizing the welfare of our environment over all else. The cost is steep, but we must adapt in the defense of a sustainable world.

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 12:14 PM

How does your company encourage customers to complete online reviews?

Golden Gate Produce Terminal 1.322 MW South San Francisco, California

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

Renova Energy

112

Palm Desert

2006

160

40,332

9,397.8

Sullivan Solar Power

115

San Diego

2004

101

66,607

8,823.0

Freedom Forever

118

Temecula

2013

219

23,000

8,682.8

Solar Technologies

125

San Ramon

1998

30,400

8,198.0

M.B. Herzog Electric

127

Paramount

1974

225

46,738

7,493.0

Vista Solar

129

Santa Clara

2007

36,000

7,283.0

Shorebreak Energy Developers

136

Irvine

2010

64,000

6,514.6

LA Solar Group

137

Los Angeles

2012

19,464

6,502.4

Newport Power

139

San Clemente 2008

31,102

6,251.9

Sunvalley Solar

143

Walnut

2007

15,840

6,085.0

V3 Electric

154

El Dorado Hills 2014

243

13,150

5,327.8

Sun Light & Power

159

Berkeley

1976

28,240

4,752.3

Alternative Energy Systems

162

Chico

2003

38,968

4,602.9

Renewable Energy Partners

167

Corona

2012

11,000

4,276.0

Green Solar Technologies

172

Los Angeles

2011

115

15,000

3,910.8

MARKET

It’s challenging to get our light-commercial customers to complete online reviews. On the other hand, we have had great success simply asking our customers for letters of reference. One of the founding principles of Vista Solar is “every customer must be referenceable.” We share that with our customers from Day 1 and empower our team to honor our commitment. For most of our customers it comes down to simply communicating clearly and frequently, executing competently and delivering on what you promised. If you do those things, there’s no shame in asking for the reference, and no struggle for them to give it to you.

— Jaymes Callinan, president of Vista Solar (No. 129 overall)

7 • 2018

California_6-18_Vs3.indd 79

SOLAR POWER WORLD

7/11/18 5:42 PM

With Senate Bill 9, Colorado has become one of the first states to declare energy storage a “right” for consumers. How has your company responded to this?

— David Raichart, cofounder and president of sales for Photon Brothers (No. 229 overall)

SOLAR POWER WORLD

Colorado_6-18_Vs2kp.indd 80

Residential Install

24 kW Greenwood Village, Colorado = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR = MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

E Light Electric Services

Englewood

1998

170

SEI Professional Services (SEIPS)

Paonia

2015

150,000

66,142.0

Namasté Solar

Boulder

2005

163

84,747

34,414.6

RGS Energy

191

Denver

1978

116

260,000

3,279.9

EcoMark Solar

203

Denver

2010

140

13,888

2,923.1

BriteStreet Energy Group

225

Denver

2012

3,500

2,218.6

Photon Brothers

229

Denver

2013

9,574

2,152.2

Sunsense Solar

272

Carbondale

1990

13,849

1,249.0

Peak View Solar

313

Colorado Springs

2009

2,561

911.5

Southard Solar and Construction

326

Longmont

2005

4,622

810.8

Stellar Energy Contractors

352

Wheat Ridge 2008

2,657

610.3

Atlasta Solar Center

353

Grand Junction

1979

5,600

609.6

Shaw Solar

383

Durango

2007

3,303

447.1

Empowered Energy Systems

432

Hotchkiss

2004

950

205.5

Living Solar

434

Durango

1995

1,956

183.1

7 • 2018

MARKET

The new bill is a huge help in our quest to make solar energy an on-demand power source. By working with utilities and supplying power to the grid when it is actually needed, solar energy is now a reliable source of power. We are encouraging customers to consider batteries for security and offsetting peak demand. We are already working with some of the smaller utilities to design systems that communicate with the grid to supply power as needed. We look forward to Colorado utilities offering time-of-use rates. We think that this is a better way to bill for power, for both the utility and the consumer.

1,759,550 176,030.0

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 12:17 PM

Do you have any crazy weather stories that prove solar can withstand extreme events?

University of South Florida 366 kW Tampa, Florida

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017 1

Origis Energy USA

Miami

2008

407,480

260,000.0

J&B Solar

Cocoa

2013

524,000

164,023.0

Origis Technics

Miami

2008

98,000

98,000.0

Moss

Fort Lauderdale 2004

685

872,715

82,700.0

Hypower

Fort Lauderdale 1991

480

622,011

42,011.0

Alten Energy

Miami

2010

45,343

21,122.6

Advanced Green Technologies

108

Fort Lauderdale 2007

245,957

10,700.0

esaSolar

124

Lake Mary

2010

623,261

8,261.2

SEM Power

130

Tampa

2009

17,092

7,182.1

Solar Source

149

Largo

1984

197,842

5,654.5

May Electric Solar

158

Hudson

2006

12,000

4,814.0

A1A Solar Contracting

177

Jacksonville

2010

13,894

3,792.0

Urban Solar

268

Boca Raton

2013

3,300

1,304.1

3D Solar

279

Odessa

2013

4,335

1,186.8

All American Solar

280

Orange City

2015

8,475

1,152.7

IQ Power

296

Sanford

2009

4,449

1,029.0

Solar-Ray

307

Orlando

2003

8,626

957.8

Power Production Management

320

Gainesville

2009

4,265

870.1

Solar Impact

334

Gainesville

2007

9,448

714.9

Cutler Bay Solar Solutions

347

Miami

2013

3,000

644.3

MARKET

Building solar in Florida presents specific challenges in assuring operation regardless of major storms. It’s a consideration with every system Solar Source builds. One month before Hurricane Irma hit, we completed a 366-kW at the University of South Florida. The system is partially ballasted, mounted at 10° on a four-story modified bitumen roof. After the storm traveled the Florida coastline, thousands of area residents were left without power in structures that were built before modern wind codes existed. However, the system at USF was unscathed and producing power! Not one panel was disturbed. In fact, even on the worse day of the storm, the system still produced some electricity.

— Rick Gilbert, executive VP of Solar Source (No. 149 overall)

7 • 2018

Florida_6-18_Vs1.indd 81

SOLAR POWER WORLD

7/11/18 12:20 PM

What do you think about solar policy in your state?

— Kevin Price, managing partner of Key Solar (No. 122 overall)

SOLAR POWER WORLD

Massachusetts_6-18_Vs1.indd 82

Commercial building 2.4 MW Braintree, Massachusetts

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017 1

Ameresco

Framingham

2000

953

203,768

43,495.0

Synergy Solar

Plymouth

2013

250,750

33,424.0

Nexamp

Boston

2007

84,290

33,176.8

Solect Energy

Hopkinton

2009

80,291

23,291.1

ACE Solar

North Andover

2015

43,080

18,875.3

Key Solar

122

Holliston

2016

9,000

8,453.0

Renewable Energy Massachusetts

131

Belmont

2010

32,100

6,900.0

SolarFlair Energy

166

Ashland

2007

29,254

4,333.4

SunBug Solar

168

Arlington

2009

16,000

4,183.4

Invaleon Solar Technologies

176

Haverhill

2011

25,000

3,804.7

Boston Solar

183

Woburn

2011

24,949

3,472.8

RevoluSun

222

Burlington

2012

7,877

2,260.9

PV Squared

236

Greenfield

2002

12,000

2,000.6

New England Clean Energy

277

Hudson

2006

8,468

1,195.6

SunPower by BlueSel Home Solar

282

Sandwich

2009

4,181

1,138.3

Solar Five

304

Lexington

2015

1,555

985.4

Mass Renewables

315

Bellingham

2009

4,921

901.0

My Generation Energy

329

South Dennis

2009

8,900

744.5

Cotuit Solar

354

Marstons Mills

1988

4,192

605.3

South Mountain Company

376

West Tisbury

1975

3,077

483.3

7 • 2018

MARKET

My business partner Ed Kelly and I would like to commend our fellow solar workers who have been in the forefront of supporting pro-PV policies both on a federal level and here in Massachusetts. At Key Solar, we have worked with our legislative representatives and the incentive program directors to provide our feedback on current and upcoming initiatives. Massachusettsbased programs such as the Commonwealth Solar rebate program, the SREC program and now the upcoming Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program have provided tremendous support to our growing industry. We count ourselves fortunate that we can do business in Massachusetts with such a robust marketplace. We value the good working relationships we have with our distributed generation utility counterparts and support policy initiatives to streamline regulatory processes.

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 12:21 PM

Is your business more affected by national or statelevel policies?

Residential Install

13.44 kW West Caldwell, New Jersey

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

M+W Energy

Union

2009

130

847,339

117,938.7

Conti Solar

Edison

1906

329,860

99,860.0

Trinity Solar

Wall Township

1994

1,554

273,477

50,224.8

Momentum Solar

Metuchen

2009

606

55,365

35,365.5

Riggs Distler

Cherry Hill

1909

1,100

178,407

24,341.0

Pfister Energy

Hawthorne

2005

120,000

23,885.0

Solar Landscape

Neptune

1985

65,108

17,673.5

Skyline Solar

Hamilton

2010

51,337

15,033.4

Code Green Solar

Cherry Hill

2009

200

43,750

13,742.2

Infiniti Energy Services

126

Howell

2015

8,794

7,921.5

Green Power Energy

202

Annandale

2009

9,854

2,954.9

Kopp Electric Company

205

Toms River

1994

14,048

2,903.0

SunPower by Sea Bright Solar

209

Ocean Township

2003

17,688

2,687.9

Geoscape Solar

217

Florham Park 2008

11,000

2,352.6

PowerLutions Solar

239

Lakewood

2008

8,500

1,944.8

Amped On Solar

359

Florence

2009

2,166

588.7

Green Sun Energy Services

400

Middletown

2010

1,082

356.3

Powell Energy and Solar

405

Moorestown 2009

2,241

320.0

GenRenew

413

Hamilton

675

295.8

Ocean Solar

431

Cape May Court House 2011

1,341

207.0

2017

MARKET

While solar in other countries has predominantly been influenced by national policy, the solar industry in the United States has, to date, thrived only with the dual support of both national and state level policies. As I map out Momentum Solar’s growth trajectory today and I consider where we can be successful in delivering low-cost solar power to our prospective customers, my primary consideration is state and local policy. To further accelerate our nation’s transition from centralized carbon-emitting power generation to decentralized solar energy, companies like Momentum Solar will need the support of thoughtful and progressive policymakers to help pave the way.

— Arthur Souritzidis, CEO of Momentum Solar (No. 50 overall)

7 • 2018

New Jersey_6-18_Vs3kp.indd 83

SOLAR POWER WORLD

7/11/18 12:23 PM

How do you find skilled workers?

— Mike Hickey, CEO of Monolith Solar (No. 85 overall)

8 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD

New York_7-18_Vs2kp.indd 84

Solar Farm

153 kW Salem, New York = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR = OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = EPC = INSTALLATION SUBCONTRACTOR = ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTOR = DEVELOPER = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR = MANUFACTURER INSTALLER

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

Solar Liberty

Buffalo

2003

60,000

30,072.8

EnterSolar

New York

2005

92,483

29,483.1

Solar Ground-N-Pound

Hamlin

2016

19,953

14,560.0

Monolith Solar

Albany

2009

105

40,492

14,324.3

G&S Solar

107

New York

2009

81,657

10,789.9

SUNation Solar Systems

120

Ronkonkoma 2003

141

36,177

8,508.4

Renovus Solar

142

Ithaca

2003

10,000

6,188.8

SunPower by Venture Solar

151

Brooklyn

2015

10,341

5,555.9

Apex Solar Power

156

Queensbury 2007

121

63,202

5,022.8

Solar by CIR

174

Buffalo

1976

150

17,636

3,871.3

SunPower by EmPower Solar

178

Island Park

2003

22,252

3,772.9

Harvest Power

180

Bay Shore

2008

1,885

3,733.8

SunPower by Infinity Solar

195

Pearl River

2008

16,750

3,211.5

Long Island Power Solutions

201

Islandia

2009

11,700

2,970.0

Sunrise Power Solutions

218

Brentwood

2008

2,840

2,349.0

Solar Dad and Sons

269

Islandia

2008

6,400

1,278.4

UGE

284

New York

2008

24,630

1,111.3

Silver Lining Solar

285

Chappaqua

2015

1,271

1,110.0

Hytech Solar

298

Bay Shore

2018

3,467

1,020.0

Buffalo Solar Solutions

342

Buffalo

2014

1,346

686.8

7 • 2018

MARKET

Staffing an organization with the best talent is always a challenge, particularly in a young industry, but a convergence of factors has helped Monolith Solar maintain a consistent pool of skilled candidates for our growing business. Over the last decade, New York’s developing solar market attracted a lot of new companies to the state, but the competition and recent policy changes led many to close their doors or leave. Fortunately for us, they left behind a sizable population with experience and a passion for renewables. When combined with our own internal training, which NYSERDA has supported through guidelines and manuals, and a partnership with Hudson Valley Community College, our recruitment efforts have been very successful both in the office and out in the field.

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 12:24 PM

What’s your favorite type of groundcover to use on solar farms?

Bladen Solar Project 75 MW Fayetteville, North Carolina

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK CITY KILOWATTS IN 2017

Pure Power Contractors

Waxhaw

2012

265,000

134,160.0

Watson Electrical Construction

Wilson

1935

675

282,880

106,500.0

Carolina Solar Energy

Durham

2004

264,170

84,200.0

NEI Energy

Charlotte

2016

25,268

12,940.9

Powerhome Solar

132

Mooresville

2014

250

45,119

6,892.9

Sylvester & Cockrum

181

Winston-Salem 1985

175

18,722

3,722.1

NC Solar Now

234

Raleigh

2010

7,210

2,004.6

Yes Solar Solutions

238

Cary

2009

7,350

1,979.8

Accelerate Solar

310

Charlotte

2012

3,027

937.5

Southern Energy Management

314

Raleigh

2001

24,327

905.4

MARKET

Solar field ground coverage is dependent on the local environment, and in North Carolina, with abundant rainfall in short periods of time, a solid vegetative ground covering is required to combat rapidly eroding unstable soil. We prefer to use a combination of fescue and ryegrass, which controls erosion and is easier to grow. It is also naturally slow-growing, which helps lower maintenance costs and avoid any potential shading of modules. Once the grass has been established, we like to introduce clover into the mix to help nourish the soil. Clover also doubles as a favorite meal for livestock such as sheep, which are commonly used in solar fields to control the growth of grass.

— Justin Taylor, president of Pure Power Contractors (No. 24 overall)

7 • 2018

North Carolina_7-18_Vs2km.indd 85

SOLAR POWER WORLD

7/11/18 12:25 PM

The state legislature is considering updates to Pennsylvania’s clean energy standards. How do you think this will affect your business?

— Ben Zook, owner of Belmont Solar (No. 409 overall, No. 11 in Pennsylvania)

SOLAR POWER WORLD

Pennsylvania_7-18_Vs2kp.indd 86

Residential Install 12 kW Lebanon, Pennsylvania

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK CITY KILOWATTS IN 2017

LASE Solar

Doylestown

2016

43,971

31,920.6

RER Energy Group

Reading

2009

37,527

13,254.0

Paradise Energy Solutions

145

Paradise

2009

30,469

6,032.3

Kiss Electric

188

Levittown

2000

4,645

3,367.2

Moore Energy

200

Southampton 2008

18,537

3,029.1

Solar States

244

Philadelphia 2008

3,866

1,820.0

EIS Solar

250

Pittsburgh

2008

6,280

1,727.3

SolareAmerica

294

Upper Darby 2010

16,038

1,038.2

Exact Solar

319

Yardley

2005

2,697

870.3

Pennsylvania Solar Energy Co.

401

Canonsburg 1999

7,292

355.7

7 • 2018

MARKET

It is likely to help, however I am grateful that it seems to be a very modest change and one that is designed to endure for the long-term. Solar is still in its infancy, and there are already plenty of factors that seem to make the end-user’s interest in solar power come and go from year to year. The industry needs long-term dedication, not just another short-term incentive that causes another boom-and-bust cycle. For the first time since 2002, it finally seems like the end-user’s awareness of solar power might be on a gradual, sustainable upward path.

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 12:27 PM

Have you done any interesting brownfield projects?

Eubank Landfill Solar Array 2.5 MW Albuquerque, New Mexico

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

HCS Renewable Energy

Georgetown 2014

227

888,000

335,100.0

AUI Partners

Fort Worth

2005

825,000

94,400.0

Houston

2012

280

279,741

82,797.0

3 Sunnova 4

Axium Solar

Plano

2008

43,460

25,501.5

Envirosolar

103

San Antonio 2012

125

31,595

11,140.1

O3 Energy

134

Dallas

2011

75,917

6,717.0

Wells Solar

182

Austin

2014

10,000

3,561.7

Lighthouse Solar Texas

196

Austin

2007

12,000

3,157.5

South Texas Solar Systems

206

San Antonio 2007

7,120

2,852.0

Freedom Solar Power

220

Austin

2007

33,200

2,264.9

Self Reliant Solar

235

Austin

2009

15,096

2,003.6

NATiVE

253

Austin

2007

16,274

1,673.5

Border Solar

255

El Paso

2008

10,293

1,631.3

Victory Solar

290

Houston

2016

1,064

1,064.5

EnergyONE

300

Magnolia

2013

5,000

1,005.1

Solar CenTex

311

Harker Heights 2012

3,128

920.7

American Made Solar and Wind

325

Weslaco

2005

9,000

820.5

Go Smart Solar

355

San Antonio 2016

855

604.5

Electric Distribution & Design Systems

371

Garland

1982

10,135

515.9

Wright-Way Solar Technologies

392

Tyler

2009

1,397

417.4

MARKET

The Eubank Landfill Solar Array is a pioneering solar energy project that transformed a former landfill into a clean-energy-producing site that relieves energy grid demand in Albuquerque while supporting the local economy. The project with EMCORE was supported by PNM’s solar incentive program and is the largest commercial distributed power generation project in New Mexico. The site features CPV solar systems in combination with traditional PV panels installed on 17 acres leased from the New Mexico State Land Office. The Suncore CPV modules incorporate EMCORE CPV solar cells developed and manufactured in Albuquerque.

— Brad Stutzman, co-founder and COO of O3 Energy (No. 134 overall)

7 • 2018

Texas_7-18_Vs2km.indd 87

SOLAR POWER WORLD

7/11/18 12:28 PM

How do you go about learning about new technologies, installation methods and products?

— Jonathan Cohen, principal and founder of Imagine Energy (No. 295 overall)

SOLAR POWER WORLD

PacificNorthwest_7-18_Vs1.indd 88

Montgomery Park North Parking Garage 229 kW Portland, Oregon

TOTAL KILOWATTS OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK KILOWATTS IN 2017

EC Electric

Portland

1946

1,000

100,000

70,008.4

A&R Solar

171

Seattle

2007

13,046

3,984.1

Smart Energy Today

228

Olympia

2008

5,800

2,200.3

Sunlight Solar Energy

243

Bend

1988

7,000

1,845.1

Advanced Energy Systems

256

Eugene

2004

13,000

1,623.4

Puget Sound Solar

271

Seattle

2001

8,920

1,265.8

True South Solar

275

Ashland

2010

4,112

1,218.2

Imagine Energy

295

Portland

2003

5,535

1,034.7

Elemental Energy

301

Portland

2010

3,279

1,001.6

SolTerra Solar

302

Seattle

2008

6,248

999.0

Western Solar

303

Bellingham

2002

5,934

996.8

Artisan Electric

308

Seattle

2007

5,639

953.1

South Sound Solar

316

Olympia

2008

4,060

901.0

NW Photon Energy

338

Portland

2009

3,717

704.0

Sunbridge Solar

358

Vancouver

2010

2,677

601.7

7 • 2018

MARKET

We try to stay in touch through trade publications, industry conferences and trainings, well-informed sales reps, etc. We recently had to span a 125-ft solar canopy across an open parking garage driveway. The existing parking was already limited, so perforating the deck with intermediate columns was not acceptable. In presenting the challenge to our team, a colleague had read about SunShot grantee Quest Renewables and its QuadPod canopy. The QuadPod uses a specially site-built, pin-jointed truss system that is tall enough to maintain drive aisles. We could span the parking lot ramp while making minimal structural upgrades to the building—all without losing a single parking space. By keeping our feelers out for all possible solutions, we came up with the best solution to this design challenge.

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

7/11/18 12:31 PM

TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS

ACROSS AMERICA Solar Generation GenPro Energy Solutions Exact Solar

Solar Optimum

Accelerate Solar

Riggs Distler

Cape Fear Solar Systems

Sol Luna Solar Electric Distribution & Design Systems

Our list recognizes contractors installing megawatts in the desert and off-grid homes in the mountains. We just had to share some of the more interesting projectsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;from the Caribbean to Malaysia, with a few heart-warming stories in between.

Join us as we find the highlights of the U.S. solar industry.

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

Accellerate Solar makes it through hellish year and doubles down on goals Last year was the most stressful for North Carolina-based Accelerate Solar (No. 310) in its six years in operation. A trifecta of trials befell the company in a short timespan: A crucial utility rebate reached its cap, a colleague was caught embezzling money and one of its salespeople tried to scam customers with a copycat company. Accelerate works in both North and South Carolina. As an important South Carolina Duke Energy solar rebate neared its cap and ended earlier than the company expected in early 2017, many Accelerate jobs were canceled by customers not interested in solar unless they got extra money back. “We ended up having a load of cancels from customers getting wary of even seeing a rebate,” said CEO Xavier Veille. Accelerate ended up paying the rebates for many of those customers in order to keep the jobs, but still lost almost $80,000 in projects because of the abrupt cutoff, said head project manager Chris Verner. Only two or three customers on the wait list actually 90

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received a rebate from Duke. In mid-2016, Accelerate hired a person who would eventually be an equal partner to run the sales team. He was tasked with building a sales team, handling dealer fees and sales payroll and commissions. That meant he had control of the sales bank account. When the man was unable to even pay sales payroll, Veille and Verner audited his credit card statements and found he’d been misappropriating funds and giving big bonuses to his friends on the sales team. Luckily, they had an agreement in place where he wouldn’t be brought on as an equal partner until he brought in 2 MW in sales—and he did not meet that goal in his time there. Accelerate terminated his employment in January 2017 along with the entire sales team of over 50 people, since they could no longer trust the salespeople either after discovering the embezzlement. “We lost the rebate and we lost our entire sales force with his termination,”

Veille said. “We basically were back at Ground Zero, building a company with $100,000 a month overhead.” Then, a former salesperson for Accelerate hired in 2015 set up a copycat company called “Accelerate Solar SC LLC.” He used Accelerate’s old lead list to sell systems to customers under the

guise of the real Accelerate Solar. He was able to cash checks that were written to Accelerate Solar because his company name was so close to it. Some of the systems were actually installed, but the real Accelerate got a lot of phone calls to fix the errors of that sham installer. Some customers put down deposits with the fake company,

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then couldn’t contact the salesperson. To win back consumer trust and safeguard against a scam happening again, Accelerate put a disclaimer on its website instructing customers to call if they’d been contacted by the rogue former salesperson and implemented processes to let consumers know they were talking to the right company. “Accelerate Solar SC LLC” was officially dissolved in June 2018. To recoup the money lost in the embezzlement, Veille, Verner and a third partner did not take a paycheck for almost one year, and Accelerate had to change the way it operated. “We decided maybe having a large internal sales team was just a little bit much to deal with when it comes to residential projects, so we ended up with just a small five-person sales team, mostly focused on our commercial [projects],” Verner said. Now, the company outsources most of its sales functions and has found success in that strategy. “It’s a much better relationship, much better flow,” Veille said. “We’re back on track.” A couple of medium commercial projects for Kannapolis Middle School and Royal Oaks Elementary School helped set Accelerate back on the path of growth after the turmoil. “Getting those projects done helped keep the cash flowing to survive, but we also got them done really well and got our foot in the door with some good projects in the ground for commercial,” Verner said. Veille still sees the positive side in the nearly disastrous series of events. Accelerate Solar made it through, and new North Carolina Duke Energy rebates in 2018 aim to help reduce the upfront cost of solar and grow the industry even more. The hard times forced Accelerate to reassess its goals and focus on what it wanted to all along—increase commercial jobs to make up 80% of its project pipeline with residential at 20%, instead of the opposite. “Everything was trying to put us under, but we survived,” Veille said. SPW

WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

NC installer shows retirees they can still save with long-term solar contracts Cape Fear Solar Systems (No. 365) has been designing and installing solar systems in North Carolina since 2007. Last year, the company decided to celebrate 10 years in business by holding a summer contest asking customers to share photos, videos and stories on their Facebook page of why they decided to go solar for a chance to win a trip to Prague, Czech Republic. “The goal was for customers to show the rest of the world how solar technology affected their lives,” said Cape Fear Solar Systems sales and marketing manager Cassandra Barba. Barba said Cape Fear Solar received many creative and compelling submissions, but none stood out as much as one from Dr. Richard and Lynne Adams, an 82-year-old couple who added solar to their home in 2015. Leasing is not currently available in North Carolina, so homeowners have to purchase their systems. Barba said most of Cape Fear Solar’s customers see a payback period of seven to 12 years. This makes sense for those who plan to own their homes for the life of the solar project 20 to 30 years or more. But does going solar make sense for someone later in life? The Adamses think so. “It seemed somewhat logical given that we are in great health and the resale potential loomed large,” Lynne Adams said in her submission. So the couple had someone from Cape Fear Solar come over for a consultation. It turned out that the couple’s roof had due-south exposure with no tree shade. “It took about one day to decide to go ahead and sign up, and a short seven days later it was installed!” she said.

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Almost four years later, the couple is still enjoying getting near-zero electric bills in the mail. Like many retirees, the Adamses live elsewhere for part of the year. They spend summers in New Hampshire, and find that they bank power through net-metering credits at home while they’re away, even with an air conditioner running. “Since we were not going in and out, and most appliances were turned off, the house remained cool at 76°,” Adams said. “Upon returning in early October we found that we had banked enough power to take us through mid-January! Those near-zero bills looked fantastic to us and still do.” Though the Adamses may not be in their home for another 30 years, they think their solar system will continue to benefit their families. “We firmly believe when it comes time to sell that it will help make for a quick sale for us or our children,” Adams said. The Adamses hope to inspire other retired individuals to go solar. Barba said many of Cape Fear Solar’s customers are retirees. “They see solar as a smart investment and a way to help the environment,” she said. “In our area, solar homes sell quicker and appraise higher. Our customers want energy independence and solar gives them just that.” The Adamses are on their way to celebrating their win, as well as their energy savings, with their trip to Prague this summer. SPW

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GARLAND, TEXAS

Texas solar contractor keeps business moving without a sales team Thomas Edds has done some eccentric things in his life, from traveling to dance in Europe as a teenager even performing at a royal Swedish weddingto bull riding in Midland, Texas. He’s also installed thousands of solar modules since he started Electric Distribution & Design Systems (No. 371) as an electrical contracting business in 1982. And he’s stayed in business ever since without ever hiring a sales rep. Edds first became hip to solar in 2000 when a friend asked if he could use Edds' Master Electrician’s license to comply with state requirements for a renewable energy startup. “I said yes, but only if he taught me everything he knew about wind and solar,” Edds said. His friend complied and contracted Edds to do electrical work for solar projects. Unfortunately, the startup failed just months later. But his friend moved on to work for a larger solar company that continued to subcontract with Edds. Before long, Edds and his team had learned enough to install entire solar systems. Eventually, that business failed as well, but Edds continued to find new partnerships that allowed him to keep installing solar without having to hunt for

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the next project himself. “It’s just my preference; I don’t ever profess to be a salesperson,” Edds said. “Being a small company, I would have to wear that hat and I just never looked forward to doing that.” Electric Distribution & Design Systems mainly partners with companies that only do solar marketing and sales and then subcontract out for engineering and installation. He has also negotiated contracts with companies that can’t keep their installation crews working year-round. By partnering with multiple solar companies, Edds has enough work to hire their crews and take over their installations as well. “Then those relationships grow to the point where their customers are more satisfied with my team than with their own people so I wind up with all the business,” he said. Edds works with anywhere from three to eight companies at a time, but says many eventually go out of business due to their inability to sell year-round. So he’s

constantly searching for partnerships. “Each year we have to find two to three new companies with a sales force that values our reputation of quality installation and respect for customers,” he said. However, most of the time companies find him. “It’s all about having a good reputation, and word gets out.” While Electric Distribution & Design Systems outsources sales, Edds said he insists on meeting with the customer and doing his own site assessment to set realistic expectations. “I always tell them what we can give and what we cannot give up front, so no one will be disappointed,” he said. While Electric Distribution & Design Systems does get referrals, they only account for about 5% of its business. As work ebbs and flows, Edds and his partner have finally decided to try other lead sources to smooth the “solar coaster.” They’re checking out online lead generation platforms such as Google, Yelp and SolarReviews to reach more stability. SPW

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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

Philly installer goes far off-grid through fellowship exchange program Mark Bortman, founder of Exact Solar (No. 319) in Philadelphia, has long prioritized travel and cultural exploration—he even moved his family to Costa Rica in 2004 to learn more about alternative energy options. So when his friend at the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission told him a Malaysian solar entrepreneur was coming to Philadelphia through an exchange program in 2017, he quickly agreed to spend some time with him, entrepreneur to entrepreneur. The U.S. State Department's Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Fellows Program, in conjunction with the DVRPC, sponsored Noor Shahiwan (Iwan) along with 29 other Southeast Asian entrepreneurs for a two-week visit to the United States. The program is designed to connect Southeast Asian young professionals with American counterparts in individually tailored work placements. Iwan is the owner of Kuala Lumpurbased off-grid solar company SunCrox Solar that he founded in 2011. While Iwan was in Philadelphia, he came to Exact Solar's offices and warehouse to learn a bit about the business. He also got the chance to tour a couple of the company's solar jobsites, both residential and small commercial. Bortman emphasized that the exchange program was meant to be a reciprocal cultural learning experience. "It was not a program where we were supposed to be teaching him something. The idea was not, 'Oh you know these American companies are great and you have a lot to learn from them,'" he said. "It was more just a sharing of ideas.” When it came time for Iwan to head

home, Bortman figured he wouldn't see him again. But then Bortman’s friend at the DVRBC contacted him again with a new opportunity. She said the State Department had a reciprocal fellowship program he could apply for to go learn in Malaysia. "When someone offers you something like that, we said definitely," Bortman said. "I applied and was luckily accepted and had the chance to go over to Malaysia and visit Iwan." After 24 hours in the air, Bortman made it to Malaysia for his two-and-a-half-week immersive experience at the end of February 2018. He stayed with Iwan and his family, eating with them and learning about daily life in Malaysia. Iwan is well-connected to the entrepreneur community in the country, so he set up many different meetings for Bortman where he could share his story of building Exact Solar and learn from other entrepreneurs. The two also toured some of SunCrox Solar's off-grid projects on food carts and bus stops. Bortman’s favorite part of the trip was getting in a four-wheel drive vehicle and driving deep into the jungle to check on some really off-grid solar customers. "There are these villages of indigenous people that are way back off the electric grid, but Iwan has worked with them a lot in the past to install small off-grid solar systems to give them lights and phone charging and stuff like that at night," Bortman said. Since it's so remote and the people don't have cell phone service out there,

Iwan works with residents of a remote village to teach them how to troubleshoot solar problems.

Iwan isn't able to help troubleshoot anytime the group had a problem or question. So instead, Iwan has been teaching one of the residents how to fix problems himself to help the community be more self-sufficient. Bortman's trip to Malaysia came during an interesting time in solar foreign policy. The module tariffs took effect that month, and the topic did come up when he toured one of JinkoSolar's manufacturing facilities in the country. "These guys at Jinko, this huge panel manufacturer, that was certainly a concern for them and something that we did talk about," Bortman said. Despite the trade unease, Bortman said Malaysian hospitality was on parade throughout his trip. "The people over there are just very nice, very friendly, and I highly encourage anyone, whether they can go through some kind of exchange program or not, to get out there and see what things are like in other parts of the world," Bortman said. SPW

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Iwan on left, Mark on right.

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PIEDMONT, SOUTH DAKOTA

Caribbean solar markets get helping hand from South Dakota installer The Caribbean solar market is getting some assistance from a far-away partner with South Dakota's GenPro Energy Solutions (No. 138). The energy provider has spent 15 years building trusting relationships first as a distributor and now as an expert PV installer. These relationships have opened doors across the globe, especially in the Caribbean, and GenPro has been installing solar and other energy efficiency projects in the warm sunshine for the last decade. "It's really hot. We have to get used to that," said GenPro president Jeremy Anderson. "Salt water is hard on everything; we have to account for that as well. But working with the local guys there has been a good thing. We've built good relationships." CEO Dwight Patterson said these good relationships are the backbone of the company and what has allowed it to venture past the Dakotas. "From Day 1, we've always been investing in relationships, making sure what we do for business is a win-win for both parties," he said. "If it can't be a win-win, we gracefully bow out. It's about investing in long-term relationships." Patterson started GenPro Energy 94

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Solutions in the early 2000s to "fill a need for people desiring information and education about renewables in a reputable space to acquire product." The company started out as a dealer and distributor of solar pumps before getting involved with PV installations. "While solar is a big portion of what we do, it's not everything," Patterson said. "We really focus on energy efficiency and energy management as a whole. Solar is just one of the tools in our tool bag." GenPro as a distributor has dealers across the world, and many of these far-reaching solar projects happen when dealer-partners don't have the ability to install. Anderson went down to oversee a solar project in Jamaica and used the close proximity to meet a lot of the company's Caribbean dealers in-person. He said those face-to-face relationships grew the trust between GenPro and its dealers, and soon more Caribbean partners were requesting solar project help. "We're not just a company that you call up and ask for 10 solar panels. We provide solutions," Anderson said. "When someone calls, we give them full service, whether it's helping

them with the install or the design or everything in between." Last year's busy hurricane season did hit a GenPro project head-on. Anderson said a solar install in Turks and Caicos survived the wind, but the building under it suffered quite a bit of damage. These success stories fuel the trust behind the GenPro name. "We're really confident in the systems we design," Anderson said. "For one project, we had third-party inspectors from the United States flown in because [locally] they weren't confident to do it themselves. We won't always be the cheapest, but we're always going to make sure things are done properly, and safety is No. 1." When GenPro first started, the goal wasn't to install solar PV in the Caribbean, 2,000 miles away from home. But Patterson said as the company got involved in the market, it became an obligation to do the best job possible down there. "[The Caribbean] has been burned so much by fly-by-night operations looking to make a quick buck," he said. "We try really hard to continually push quality. It helps increase the standards down there as well." SPW

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CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY

Riggs Distler works around bald eagle family to finish solar installation Riggs Distler’s (No. 65) 20-MW ground-mounted array in Pemberton, New Jersey, was complicated by some particularly patriotic winged residents. Bald eagles constructed a nest in a tree in the middle of the former farmland where Riggs Distler was to install the grid-tied project. Both the installer and the client, Pro-Tech Energy Solutions, were aware of the nest and the eaglets, but figured the eaglets would have fledged and left the nest by the time they initially planned to start the project. “We were aware of the nest, and the owners were, but basically what they said when we first bid was, ‘Don’t worry about it, we’re not going to start until the summertime, and then we think the birds are going to leave by August, so they really wouldn’t be in our way,’” said Jeff Simpson, operations manager of renewables for Riggs Distler. But plans changed after learning the utility, New Jersey Resources, was concerned about instituting the power outages necessary to tie the project into the grid during the summertime―a period of high electricity demand. Unless it was done by Memorial Day, it likely couldn’t come online until the end of the year. Since Pro-Tech’s fiscal year ended on September 30, it moved the deadline to the end of May—giving Riggs Distler eight weeks to complete the project. Bald eagles were removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act in 2007, but are still on New Jersey’s state endangered species list due to their sensitivity to environmental contaminants, habitat loss and human disturbance. Riggs Distler wasn’t allowed to work within a 700-ft perimeter of the tree until the eaglets left

“The mom or the dad eagle was chasing after the drone.” On top of the eagle disruption, Riggs Distler ran into roadblocks with permitting and module delivery. The township would only release portions of the project to them at a time. “Luckily, we had a good relationship with them so we would go down every day and they would release a little bit more work to us,” Simpson said. On top of that, the shipping company that was bringing the Hyundai solar modules from overseas went out of business, so the barges with the modules were stuck out at sea and delayed coming to dock. “They couldn’t get through into the docks because they were stuck out at sea, and then they couldn’t clear customs,” Simpson said. “It was fun.” Despite the natural and man-made hurdles, Riggs Distler completed the project on time and under budget, and left the site with a new power source as well as an intimate knowledge of the national bird. SPW

the nest. That meant 3 MW of the project were on hold until the eaglets left. So the installer had to get creative. More than 150 laborers worked 58-hour weeks to meet the rigorous deadline. They had to redesign the project so all the combiners and MV feeders were outside of that perimeter so it could be installed and energized before the deadline. Workers developed 17 MW outside the eagle zone first, then finished the remaining 3 MW in May and June after the eaglets left the nest. Throughout the project, the company had to work with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife to ensure it wasn’t violating state regulations by disrupting the eagles’ habitat. A representative from the Division came to monitor the nest often, and gave the go-ahead to the Riggs Distler team to finish the project once the eaglets had fledged. Simpson said the team was treated to great views of the growing eagle family, and they now “know more about bald eagles than you ever want to know.” The crew got the chance to watch the eaglets start experimenting with leaving the nest. First they’d fly out to a branch a few inches away, then that increased to a few feet, Simpson said. They watched the parent eagles fly to and from the Delaware River about 16 miles away to hunt for meals. “I had a drone I was flying up to take pictures of [the nest] in the beginning, and then everybody started laughing,” Simpson said.

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DIXON, NEW MEXICO

New Mexico installers put differences aside to secure local jobs

KINGSTON, NEW YORK

As much as Democrats and Republicans compete against each other for votes, they do (sometimes) come together for mutually beneficial legislation. Two competing New Mexico rooftop contractors can relate: they decided to team up to bid on large-scale projects to keep jobs local. Sol Luna Solar (No. 323) and PPC Solar regularly battle for solar customers in Northern New Mexico. When the local utility Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) announced 35 MW of projects in the next few years, the utility actually suggested Sol Luna and PPC join together. "Kit's wish was to keep all of these jobs as local as possible to benefit the local economy," said Mark Johnson, Sol Luna CEO. "Kit suggested we form a joint venture together, because they didn’t want to deal with us separately." The two companies now operate as ParaSol Solar, a name that means umbrella. The solar installers operating under the same umbrella finished the utility's first 1.5-MW project and plan to complete another 10 MW before the end of 2018. Johnson said while the two companies are still regularly bidding against each other for smaller projects, the third-party venture operates very smoothly. "We're really combining forces. We're doing the procurement together," he said. "Being competitors in the same area, we procure materials from the same suppliers, so that has been seamless. We're wellpositioned to complete this." KCEC recently announced a goal for 100% daytime solar energy by 2022. The roadmap of 35 MW will provide 34% of the area's total electricity demand and 100% during daylight hours on sunny days. “Our decision to recommend ParaSol Solar as our EPC partner was intended to build a world-class solar fleet," said Luis Reyes, KCEC's CEO, in a press release. "The re-emphasis demonstrates KCEC’s commitment to our local labor force and to economic development within the region." Johnson said this partnership between Sol Luna and PPC is a novel approach, but everyone agrees it's well worth rising above the daily competition to ensure a local workforce is used for projects that will benefit the community for years to come. SPW

It says a lot about the customer experience at Solar Generation (No. 398) that after getting solar installed on his home last year, Paul McMenemy wanted to buy the company and come on board. "There was an open line of communication, and they were just down to earth," McMenemy said. "They did it all efficiently, and there was no mess. They were very friendly with the dog— all those silly little things, but just natural customer service. One hires contractors throughout your life, and this was the best group that I've ever dealt with." This wasn't McMenemy's first interaction with Solar Generation in New York's Hudson Valley. He got a solar quote on his home a few years ago, but the project didn't pan out. He also knew Solar Generation's previous owner Todd Koelmel because their children went to the same schools. When McMenemy

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Happy solar customer buys New York contractor moved to a new house better primed for solar, he gave Koelmel and Solar Generation a call. "I called Todd again and the crew came out and put up some gorgeous panels and were just really a top-notch crew," McMenemy said. "I was very impressed by their work ethic and the quality of work. Got to talk to Todd a little bit. He was nearing the end of his 13 years as an installer and I was looking for a new gig, so we started talking." McMenemy has been involved with renewable energy since the early 2000s, as a developer and entrepreneur in biofuels and other organic markets. Now in charge of Solar Generation's future, he wants to lead the company into the next horizon—large-scale projects. "I was of the opinion and still am that this is a quality group with high-quality projects," he said. "We're doing Solar Generation 2.0 which

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GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA

Southern California developer finds big opportunity for solar on megamalls is to [continue] the residential and commercial and also now doing project development in terms of solar farms here in New York state." Solar Generation has seven employees plus McMenemy. Vicki Weaver, project analyst, said the closeknit team is excited about the future. "When Todd had discussed it with us, we were kind of wondering how the change would go," she said of McMenemy's new leadership. "I have to say it went really smoothly. Paul was great with coming in and seeing our process and viewing us as a team before implementing anything. It's been a great transition." McMenemy said the learning curve to solar has been steep, but he has plenty of experience with the business basics. "Customers are customers. Whether it's selling a $30 million digester to a city or an 8-kW [solar] system to someone, it's the same process. You have to be transparent," he said. "I've always been in renewables, so the tax stuff and financing and the contracts, I'm very familiar with. But the nitty gritty of where to put this particular inverter or where we should hang this disconnect switch, that's a learning curve I'm slowly getting up on." To take on larger projects, Solar Generation will have to grow beyond its seven employees or begin partnering with subcontractors. McMenemy is looking into all options. "I have a very solid base team and we'll organically grow from this core team. We'll see where it takes us," he said. "We're a very small company, but we have big ambitions." SPW

Solar Optimum (No. 97) is celebrating a decade of residential and commercial solar installations. One key to its success is embracing new market opportunities. Several years ago, the company was contracted as an EPC for a solar project on a large shopping mall. Ara Krikorian, VP of commercial development for Solar Optimum, said opportunities to install on other megamalls just ballooned from there. “We’ve constructed solar projects for nearly every large mall from the Central Valley through Southern California,” he said. Krikorian said solar makes sense in all industries, and large malls are no exception. Malls have high cooling and lighting costs. Solar helps offset those loads producing significant savings as well as providing environmental benefits that can bring malls some positive PR. “Operating expenses are factors that every business deals with, and if there is a practical and economical way to decrease those costs, any business will do it,” he said. “Solar’s value exists; articulating it well enough for executives to understand is all that’s needed to bridge the gap.” Although traditional malls in many parts of the country have struggled to stay open, California malls have been able to adapt by moving away from enclosed buildings and toward

more mixed-use, open space areas. No matter the design, malls offer plenty of room for solar on roofs or parking structures. Adding solar to decrease operating costs gives malls a fighting chance to compete against the increasing online shopping market. But these projects don’t come without challenges. “You have tens of thousands of customers entering and exiting these facilities daily, dealing with a thorny engineering endeavor, having multiple interconnections thousands of feet away, navigating the logistical nightmare of staging and coordinating utility shutdowns and backup power,” Krikorian said. “Safety for both our personnel and retail patrons is paramount, and most of the industry doesn’t think about that regularly. It is even more essential for projects like this.” Despite the unique hurdles, he said Solar Optimum’s experience and vertical integration allows the company to plan for and navigate the complexities of massive retail centers. “Finding markets that are underserved, understanding what value you can bring them and scaling to further grow that value is what’s necessary for any company,” Krikorian said. “Large malls aren’t our core business, but it’s definitely a market that we serve well.” SPW

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Five oldest businesses When this Top Solar Contractor company was founded...

1864

1888

1906

1909

1911

McCarthy Building Cos.

Swinerton

Conti Solar

Riggs Distler

S&C Electric Company

Abraham Lincoln was reelected.

The Great Blizzard of 1888 hits the East Coast.

The 1906 San Francisco earthquake on the San Andreas Fault destroys much of the city.

Drilling begins on the Lakeview Gusher oil well, which will erupt the following year and hold the record for the largest oil spill on land to this day.

The hull of the RMS Titanic was successfully launched.

Geography Northernmost Contractor:

Arctic Solar Ventures, Anchorage, Alaska

What’s in a name? Number of companies with “sun” in their names

Westernmost Contractor:

Southermost/ Easternmost Contractor:

American Electric, Mililani, Hawaii

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Maximo Solar Industries, Aquadilla, Puerto Rico

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Seeing double

Most & least employees

(California)

Alternative Power Solutions Alternative Power Solutions of NY

(New York)

(Ojai, California)

10,000

California Solar Electric California Solar Electric Co.

(Grass Valley, California)

Black & Veatch

Maximum coverage These top contractors work in the most states.

Baja Construction

Greenskies Renewable Energy

RP Construction Services (RPCS)

Sunnova

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NW Photon Energy, SolarPod Mouli Engineering, Superior Energy Solutions

Green Solar Technologies SOLAR POWER WORLD

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The Greenest Contractor award celebrates the greenest contractors on our list. These companies stand out by making their companies and communities as environmentally friendly as possible.

WINNER

The Solar Store The Solar Store (No. 344) has strived to be greener every year since its founding 20 years ago. For example, the company has taken great steps to ensure its office building is as sustainable as possible. This includes fitting windows with movable screens and adding reflective coating to the roof to manage heat, installing low-flow aerators on water faucets, using LED lights and adding solar to the roof as well as a solar hot water system to cover all its hot water needs. The company uses monitoring to ensure that all systems are working and reviews utility and fuel bills in a monthly staff meeting to see to it that energy use is minimized. 100

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The Solar Store’s commitment to be green is part of our company’s core values. Monthly team meetings cover new technologies and strategies that we implement at work, add to our customer offerings and adopt in our own homes. Our customers expect us to show the way to greener living and we strive to live up to that expectation. Work areas have recycling bins and recycled paper is available to use when printing is necessary. Crews are also instructed to segregate waste on site, and upon return trucks are emptied and wastes are directed to appropriate areas. The company’s weekly recycling is about 30-times that of its garbage. Funds generated from recycling are used for company events. The Solar Store is recognized as a certified green business by the City of Tucson Office of Conservation and Sustainable Development. SPW

— Katharine Kent, president

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RUNNER-UP

SunPower by EmPower Solar SunPower by EmPower Solar (No. 178) embodies the “EmPowering Way” philosophy with a tenet being "commitment to clean energy." Its sales and permitting teams only drive electric cars and other employees can get money toward an EV or public transportation. In an effort to maintain a plastic-free office, EmPower Solar offers reusable take-out containers and shopping bags for employees. Cashiers know not to offer anyone wearing an EmPower Solar shirt a plastic bag. Also, to eliminate paper use, almost all marketing collateral is onlineonly and client records are digital, using a shared network drive between offices. The company volunteers for community beach cleanups, as well as offers space in its solar design center for local environmental non-profits to use. It also advocates for plastic bag legislation and waterway protection. SPW

POWER RAIL

Commercial Mounting System

For over 15 years, EmPower Solar's commitment to clean energy has been the guiding light in everything we do. We are not just in the business of selling solar panels, we are here to EmPower others to use clean energy to reduce their environmental impact and achieve energy independence. — Tara Bono, marketing manager 7 • 2018

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Our Most Forward-Thinking Contractor award recognizes innovative solar installers on the cutting-edge of solar. These companies seek out new technologies, teach solar power to their communities and find creative ways to streamline the customer experience.

WINNER

Buffalo Solar Solutions This Upstate New York contractor took a problem and solved it with the latest technology. During the solar sales process, Buffalo Solar Solutions (No. 342) found it was sometimes difficult to verbally explain the nuances of solar installation to customers. So the company started using virtual reality to put customers through an installation digitally. The 360° VR experience brings users onto the rooftop to walk them through module installation, then into the basement for the electrical portion of the install in the span of about four minutes. In the VR video, the team explains the ins and outs of the waterproofing process, solar electrical work and more. The company unveiled the VR solar experience at the 2018 Buffalo Home Show, and now uses the technology in the proposal process to teach new customers how solar works. SPW 102

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We are beyond honored to be recognized for our uniqueness. With so many misconceptions about solar energy, especially in this region of the country, we try to really focus on educating customers. We aren’t trying to redesign the solar wheel, just trying to be different in this market, while helping people better understand solar energy. — Quinn Porzio, project manager

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RUNNER-UP

Maximo Solar Industries Puerto Rico suffered immense damage after Hurricane Maria knocked out power to the island in 2017. With hurricane season again approaching, some solar and storage companies have jumped to action to try and bring some energy independence to the island in the case of another disaster. Puerto Rico-based Maximo Solar Industries (No. 150) is one of those companies. It aims to build solar-plus-storage infrastructure on the island to ensure critical places don’t lose energy if another hurricane strikes. Maximo is a distributor and installer with a foundation called the SOMOS Solar Foundation, which is facilitating renewable energy projects to non-profit organizations on the island. The foundation donates solar-plus-storage systems to community centers that serve residents who have critical life-saving device needs. It’s also focusing on solar backup for businesses to keep the lights on and business running if another storm hits. The photos showcase Maximo’s installations for Casa Pueblo, a community self-management project committed to the appreciation and protection of natural, cultural and human resources. SPW

We are positive that the opportunities that are emerging in Puerto Rico will render a more resilient and sustainable island. We expanded our efforts to support organizations that facilitate community support to elderly centers, kid orphanages, rural aqueducts and medical centers, where energy plays a big role in humanitarian relief. Maximo Solar and SOMOS Solar are helping to fill the gap to maximize resources into a result-driven microgrid and utility interactive energy storage solution to customers all around zones impacted by Hurricane Maria. — Maximo Torres, CEO

LEFT: The Maximo Solar team with the founder of Casa Pueblo in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico MIDDLE: Casa Pueblo radio station RIGHT: Casa Pueblo museum

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SALES

ABB Power-One..............................................................................5

Jim Powers 312.925.7793 jpowers@wtwhmedia.com @jpowers_media

Michelle Flando 440.381.9110 mflando@wtwhmedia.com @mflando

David Geltman 516.510.6514 dgeltman@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_david

Garrett Cona 213.219.5663 gcona@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_gcona

Neel Gleason 312.882.9867 ngleason@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_ngleason

Ashley N. Burk 737.615.8452 aburk@wtwhmedia.com

Tom Lazar 408.701.7944 wtlazar@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_Tom

Tamara D. Phillips 216.386.0953 tphillips@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_Tamara

Axitec Solar.....................................................................................14 Baja Construction Co., Inc..........................................................27 Chint Power Systems.....................................................................1 Continental Control Systems....................................................73 Cornell Dublier Electronics, Inc................................................33 Dynapower.................................................................................... 55 Eagle View Technologies.......................................................... 29 Fronius USA.................................................................................. 39 Huawei Technologies................................................................. 63 Kipp & Zonen................................................................................ 53 LONGi Solar Technology Co., Ltd...........................................IBC M Bar C Construction................................................................. 65 Megger............................................................................................ 15 Nine Fasteners, Inc. USA.............................................................13 Panasonic Eco Solutions..............................................................9 Preformed Line Products..........................................................101 ProSight Specialty Insurance......................................................6 RBI Solar, Inc.................................................................................BC S-5!.................................................................................................. 59 Seaward Group............................................................................... 3

LEADERSHIP TEAM VP of Sales Mike Emich 508.446.1823 memich@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_memich

EVP Marshall Matheson 805.895.3609 mmatheson@wtwhmedia.com @mmatheson

Managing Director Scott McCafferty 310.279.3844 smccafferty@wtwhmedia.com @SMMcCafferty

Publisher Courtney Seel 440.523.1685 cseel@wtwhmedia.com @wtwh_CSeel

Sensata Technologies | Magnum Energy Brand................. 35 SnakeTray...................................................................................... 46 Solar FlexRack.............................................................................. 61 Solar Raceway.............................................................................. 69 SolarEdge Technologies.......................................................... IFC SolarRoofHook..............................................................................47 Sollega............................................................................................67 Stäubli Electrical Connectors......................................................2 Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd................................................31 SunModo Corp................................................................................ 7 Surrette-Rolls Battery.............................................................11, 57 Swinerton Renewable Energy ................................................ 24

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SOLAR POWER WORLD (ISSN 2164-7135) is published by WTWH Media, LLC, 6555 Carnegie Avenue, Suite 300, Cleveland, OH 44103.

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Single-source solution for your next solar racking project.

Canopy Roof Mount Grount Mount Ballast

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