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Technology • Development • Installation
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E D I T O R I A L
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THE FIRST WORD TOP 500 Advisory Board AES Distributed Energy E Light Wind and Solar Ecological Energy Energy Independent Solutions Exact Solar Florida Solar One Harmon Electric Helios Solar Helix Electric LightWave Solar Monolith Solar New England Clean Energy Palomar Solar Photonworks Engineering Positive Energy Solar Rosendin Electric Sierra Solar Systems Solar Source Solar-Fit Solect Energy Development Sol-Up USA Southern Energy Management Standard Solar Tennessee Solar Solutions
The
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Welcome everyone to Solar Power World’s biggest and best Top Solar Contractors issue yet. This year we present a great group of 500 solar companies that have worked on projects across North America, from Saskatchewan to Puerto Rico. The companies are grouped by their specific services (construction firms, developers, electrical subcontractors, EPCs, rooftop contractors, solar hot water installers), markets (commercial, off-grid, residential, utility) and regions by 2014 installed capacity. We hope you enjoy seeing how everyone stacks up. We at Solar Power World strive to make sure each Top Contractors list is better than the last, and that’s why this year we turned to our readers for support. A 24-contractor advisory board was established to assist us in verifying installation claims. The 2015 advisory board was essential to ensuring the Top Contractors list is as accurate as possible. We want to thank our board members (see their names on the left), because we couldn’t have done this without them. Each year we receive great feedback from contractors. One notable improvement they suggested involves how we organized the solar hot water installer list. This year’s list is determined by the number of residential and commercial projects installed in 2014, not by BTUs or kilowatts. Contractors received one point per residential hot water installation and two points per commercial installation. The industry is dominated by PV, but solar hot water holds a strong presence in the residential market, and we want to accurately recognize those who work in both. If you have any suggestions on how to improve this issue for next year, please let us know! In addition to our great lists, we also provide insight from contractors and tips on how to build a successful business. After reading this issue, you’ll know how to design a better website, survive the ITC reduction and lobby your local governments. We hope this advice will allow you to thrive in the coming years and build off 2014’s success. Thank you for keeping this industry going! We would be nothing without your dedication to bringing solar power to the world! SPW
SolarPowerWorld team
M anag i ng E d i t o r K ath ie Z ip p
A s s o c i at e E d i t o r S te v e n Bu s h o n g
As s ociat e E dit or Kelly Pi ckerel
kzipp@w tw hm e dia.com
sbushong@w tw hm e dia.com
k p ic ke re l@wtwhme d ia.c o m
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7/23/15 12:01 PM
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[MESSAGE FROM SEIA]
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
Congratulations Top 500 Solar Contractors!
Rhone Resch
Special to Solar Power World Rhone Resch is the president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), a co-sponsor of the Top 500 Solar Contractors list.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Connect and discuss this and other solar issues with thousands of professionals online
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Last year, in this very publication, I wrote that America’s solar energy industry was on pace to achieve another record-shattering year. This year, I’m proud to say we did just that and the future is only getting brighter. Today, solar is the fastest-growing source of renewable energy in America. There are 20 GW of installed solar capacity in the United States—enough to power more than 4 million homes—and we’re going to double both of those numbers by the end of next year. In 2014, for the first time in history, each of the three major U.S. market segments—utilityscale, residential and commercial—installed more than 1 GW of solar PV systems. This simply wouldn’t be possible without the effort, hard work and creativity of these Top 500 Solar Contractors. Their collective success is so vast that new jobs in the solar industry are being added every day. Solar currently employs 174,000 Americans—more than tech giants Apple, Google, Facebook and Twitter combined—and our ranks are only going to grow. We’re also increasingly diverse. By 2020, the solar industry has committed to hire 50,000 U.S. military veterans. Women now account for more than 37,500 solar workers across America—21.6% of the industry’s total workforce. To put it plainly, solar has become critically important to both our nation’s energy and economic security. The solar industry pumps nearly $18 billion a year into the U.S. economy. We’re also doing our part to combat climate change, flipping the switch every 2.5 minutes every day on a completed solar project. By 2016, solar is expected to offset more than 45 million metric tons of damaging carbon emissions—the equivalent of removing 10 million cars off U.S. roads and highways or shuttering 12 coal-fired plants. Without question, effective, forward-looking public policies, like the solar investment tax credit (ITC), net energy metering (NEM) and renewable portfolio standards (RPS), are helping to drive solar energy’s remarkable growth. The Solar Energy Industries
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Association (SEIA) was the main force behind the 30% ITC that is the backbone of our national policy today. SEIA also successfully advocated for its extension multiple times. By any measurement, the work of both SEIA in pushing for the ITC and the industry that ran with it, paid off for America. More than 97% of all installed solar capacity in the United States has come online since the ITC was extended in 2006. Today, 20 states have significant solar markets (greater than 100 MW in cumulative capacity). To put that in context, only California had that much solar in 2006. We are providing homeowners, businesses, schools, nonprofits and government officials at all levels with real choices in how they meet their electricity needs. Solar energy empowers consumers, and consumers love solar power. According to recent polls, 9 out of 10 Americans support solar. A Gallup poll, released earlier this year, shows solar as the No. 1 energy choice among a large majority of Americans. That’s real progress. But our work is far from over. Once again, the ITC is due to expire. It’s now more important than ever to join SEIA. To help us in our fight to help save the ITC. To tell members of Congress how important the ITC is to preserving and growing jobs in their districts and states. The solar industry has enjoyed unprecedented growth, and we’re only just getting started. I applaud every one of the Top 500 Solar Contractors for making the solar market the strong, proud industry it is today. SPW
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ON COVER ON THE THE COVER
16 19 70 89 6 FIRST WORD 8 A MESSAGE FROM SEIA
12 LOBBYING FOR BUSINESS 14 BUILDING A BETTER WEBSITE
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19 TOP 500 BY THE NUMBERS 25
Now in its fourth year, Solar Power World’s Top Solar Contractors list recognizes 500 companies helping to grow solar in North America. Thanks to all who applied and advised. You helped make this year’s list our best yet!
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16 SURVIVE THE ITC LOSS 112 AD INDEX
TOP 500 CONTRACTORS LIST
62 TOP DEVELOPERS 64 TOP ROOFTOP CONTRACTORS
50 TOP UTILITY CONTRACTORS
68 TOP CONSTRUCTION FIRMS
52 TOP COMMERCIAL CONTRACTORS
69 TOP ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTORS
54 TOP RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTORS
70 TOP SOLAR HOT WATER INSTALLERS
56 TOP OFF-GRID CONTRACTORS
73 CONTRACTORS BY STATE
58 TOP EPCs
91 CONTRACTORS ACROSS AMERICA
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CohnReznick is an independent member of Nexia International ational
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Forward Thinking Creates Results.
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Lobby to keep business booming In North Carolina, lawmakers want to reverse renewable energy mandates and kill solar tax credits. In Nevada, a 3% cap on net metering is frustrating residential installers. In Colorado, the major utility wants to place prohibitive fees on customers going solar. In California, the public utilities commission is considering changes to net metering. Nationally, the ITC is in severe danger. Clearly, solar installers have plenty to do to improve the market and political landscape in which they do work, but how does a political novice begin to make a difference? First, he or she must understand the challenge.
Entrenched interests
Steven Bushong Steven Bushong is associate editor of Solar Power World. sbushong@wtwhmedia.com
For a century, U.S. consumers have received electricity by way of a low-competition utility market. If you’ve ever bought electricity for your house, your selection of power providers was probably limited to one or two utilities. Solar—which generates electricity on your own roof—disrupts the utility-centric model for getting power. Currently, more than 200,000 solar arrays are challenging a standard that once seemed permanent. The problem is that utilities have a longcultivated, entrenched relationship with their local legislators and regulators, two groups that wield tremendous power over the solar industry. Legislators write laws and taxes; regulators approve fees and promote competition within the generation industry, when they deem appropriate. Many of the aforementioned utilities either oppose or don’t understand the rise of distributed solar (though some progressive utilities have embraced the technology). Feeling threatened, they are visiting halls of power and using their lobbying prowess to oppose legislation and policies that would be supportive of our industry. Prudent contractors, which should be any contractor planning to stay open beyond 2017 (when the ITC for residential solar likely disappears), will take an interest in visiting these places of power and shaping the decisions made there, too. Laws and policies impact bottom lines, and your efforts can make a difference. In Tennessee, for example, the comptroller’s office proposed an increase in the tax valuation of solar property from half a
Good things don’t happen because of luck.
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percent to 33%, the same valuation as wind turbines. A year later, solar advocates had succeeded in reducing the valuation to 12.5%. “[The 33% valuation] was such a deal-killer,” said Mary Shaffer Gill, president of TenneSEIA. “Obviously, we’d love to have it at half a percent, but we felt satisfied with the result.”
Step one The work will continue for advocacy groups across the country because threats to solar business surface all the time. More than a dozen states have issues in contention now, and contractors must bring a dose of their reality—that solar is good, and this is why—to the insular halls of legislators. The most basic way to get involved is to sign up for alerts from regional or national solar advocacy groups, or become a member of one. SEIA hosts a directory of regional chapters on its website, seia.org. “These groups will let you know when your voice will matter most, and they will give you the tools you need to take action,” said Rosalind Jackson, director of external relations at Vote Solar. “It could be a couple clicks, but it will have an impact.”
Tips for effective lobbying Lawmakers are humans. Start from where they are, not where you are, said Jason Rooks, a lobbyist with GASEIA. Politics is local. Tell how solar impacts the lawmaker’s district specifically—focus on jobs and the economy. Put it in writing. Solar is one of 100 special issues. A lawmaker’s bandwidth is limited. Leave reference materials. Don’t forget the staff. They are the gatekeepers. They also write the press releases. Build a relationship. People trust information from people they trust, Rooks said. Get a commitment. When the time is right, ask for support. Polite nods tell you nothing. Additional source: Ohio Environmental Council
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[LOBBYING] Legislators But maybe you want to be more involved and come face-to-face with your elected officials. All the experts interviewed agree on this fact: More than anything else, legislators are driven by job creation and economic growth in their districts. But they also want votes. Therefore, communication should come from someone who matters to them—in other words, someone who can vote for them—and the constituent should offer just the facts that matter. Legislators are busy people, and you may only have a few minutes to share your point and secure support. “Good things don’t happen because of luck,” said Jason Rooks, a professional lobbyist who works with GASEIA. “I spend a lot of time making sure the right person is communicating the right thing to the right legislator.” Advocating for Tennessee installers, Gill traveled to Washington, D.C., twice last year. She and her party stressed numbers. “We talked jobs, talked dollars and
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
shared an inventory of the solar assets in the state,” Gill said. “With those numbers, we can show the economic impact of the industry here, up and down the value chain. Turning it into a business case is extremely important.” Solar is a big business today. More than $71 billion in solar investment was deployed in the U.S. in 2014, and more than 174,000 Americans are employed in the solar industry, according to SEIA.
in electricity than the typical legislator,” Jackson said. For regulators, she said, “it’s really making the case for rethinking the whole relationship between the customer and the utility and the value local solar power brings to a grid.” For contractors interested in lobbying regulators, IREC has developed a guide specifically for regulators on assessing the costs and benefits of distributed solar (available at tinyurl.com/ IREC-Solar). Bring this with you. But at the end of the day, Jackson said, local and regional issues come down to one stakeholder versus another. “What solar really has going for it is public support and a vision that inspires people,” she said. “You want to report a fact-based case, but also remind regulators about what their consumers want.” Polling consistently puts consumer support for all forms of solar power at over 80%, and support comes from across the political spectrum. The trick is getting policy makers to also see the tangible benefits of the technology. SPW
Regulators Talking to regulators is a bit more nuanced than sharing information with legislators. Whereas a lot of what lobbyists do with legislators is educate, regulators already know the details. Still, their details come from a small group of interests that often have a strong connection to utilities. They are accustomed to a utility-centric electricity model. They need to hear from contractors and others outside their comfort zone. “Regulators are more well-versed
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Let’s talk about your website What would a visitor say about your website? Have you really looked through it lately? Do you have one? Today, a website is most likely the first place people come to learn about your company. A visitor’s experience with your website could greatly impact his or her view of your company and whether they proceed with your service. As an editor, and consumer, I’m constantly exploring websites and working on our own site. I’d like to share some basic best practices to ensure your website represents your company the best way possible.
Eye-appealing and easy to navigate Kathie Zipp Kathie Zipp is managing editor of Solar Power World. kzipp@wtwhmedia.com
Your website is the face of your business. If it looks thrown together, cluttered with information and poorly designed, customers may see your business as unprofessional, inexperienced or even untrustworthy. The best websites are user friendly with a clean, professional design. Start by choosing attractive, high quality photos that reflect the work you do, especially for your homepage. Text color is also important. It may sound obvious, but you want the visitor to be able to read your material. Ensure there is contrast between the text color and the background (no bright yellow on fuchsia!). Make headlines and sections clear by using bolded or larger font. On that note, organization, structure and content should all be catered to your target audience. Consider who you are trying to reach and what kind of information they’re looking for. Then, ensure that information is accessible and easy to find. Most people don’t read websites; they scan them. If they can’t find what they need quickly and easily, they will get frustrated and leave. Structure your content in a hierarchy for easy navigation. Also, when was the last time you checked links on your site? Links that don’t work or take a long time to load can deter visitors. This goes for videos and other multimedia as well.
Your website’s focus should be on meeting your audience’s needs
Who you are and how to contact you The answers to these questions should be the easiest to find on your website. Most visitors 14
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either want to learn about what you do or how to contact you. Including clearly marked “About us” and “Contact us” pages is a great way to do this. Then, make sure these pages have adequate information. Your About page should clearly state the services you provide and for whom (this is also something to consider saying on your homepage in a short line or slogan). Other great information to include on your About page is a brief explanation of how and when your company was founded, as well as a company mission statement. It’s also nice to add some faces, whether it’s on the About or Contact page. Headshots with titles and brief bios for key executives and departments, if not your whole company (depending on size), can add a nice human element to a visitor’s experience. Including contact information, such as name and email, is helpful. Specific email addresses to real individuals are always preferable because they can direct people to the right person (I’m obviously overjoyed when companies have a specific media contact). However, if your company prefers to keep this information private, at the very least the visitor should be able to find a general name, address and phone number or contact form under the contact page. But contact forms and info@xyz.com email addresses are only as good as the person checking them. Ensure someone does and responds to all inquiries promptly!
Create content Your website’s focus should be on meeting your audience’s needs, not just selling to them. Quality, consistent content can help attract and engage with your audience. I think, at the very least, it’s a good idea to include a news section and project portfolio. Again, selfishly as a member of the press, I want to see what’s new, and your visitors do too! Sharing releases with updates on projects, changes in your business or anything else new keeps you looking relevant and active. Don’t forget to include a contact for more information on the bottom of every release, if not also on your news page. Including a project portfolio on your website is a great way to demonstrate what
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[BUILD A BETTER WEBSITE]
kind of work you do and showcase your experience. Whether this is accomplished through simple posts, a slideshow, or clickable thumbnails with captions, each project should include the name, location, commissioning date and size. Portfolios I find most impressive include additional project partners and component brands and models. Some great websites even link to more information about the project. I see the next level of content as blogs, videos or other multimedia. If your company has the resources, these can be great tools for attracting and educating visitors. The keys to producing these effectively are to keep them relevant and consistent. Publishing one blog every six months isn’t going to impress anyone, but every month or week could. Consumers are more wary of a sales pitch than ever, so keep your content relevant to your audience. A good place to start is considering your audience’s pain points and creating content to educate them on how to resolve them. Another good place to share educational content is on a “Why solar” or “Solar FAQ” page. One of our industry’s greatest challenges is educating the consumer. Many homeowners and businesses still need to be taught about the benefits of going solar and why it may be right for them. Having a page with FAQs and posts about why solar makes sense or links to additional solar resources helps visitors feel comfortable with the idea of going solar. Delivering this type of relevant content to your audience can help position you as a thought leader and develop trust with visitors. Other things to include on your website include memberships, awards and social media icons (linked!). We want to follow you! These are just some basic tips. There are many aspects of website design and performance I didn’t touch on, such a mobile optimization, but there’s a plethora of additional resources and services available to help you create the best website for your business. Your customers will thank you! SPW
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233A South Street | Hopkinton, MA 01748 | 800.539.3939
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15
7/23/15 1:57 PM
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[ITC]
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
Residential contractors: You can survive the ITC loss
Kelly Pickerel Kelly Pickerel is associate editor of Solar Power World. kpickerel@wtwhmedia.com
It’s not pessimistic or unrealistic to prepare for what’s coming. Assuming the federal investment tax credit (ITC) is not renewed by Dec. 31, 2016, all sections of the market will be affected. Specifically, residential solar will see significant changes when the ITC under Section 25D drops from 30% to zero. There are nearly 100,000 solar workers involved with installation in the United States, and many of these are employed by smaller businesses that benefit from Section 25D (the section focusing on residential installations). Without an extension of the residential ITC (which is looking more likely, especially with the lack of movement in Washington), many of these jobs will be lost. While 2017 may seem like a long way out, preparations should have already started. But if you’ve been too focused on the present to concern yourself with the future, don’t panic; there are still steps you can begin now. Solar Power World spoke with Stephen Irvin, president of Amicus Solar Cooperative, and he offered residential installers the tips detailed below. Irvin represents the knowledge base of Amicus’ 34 developer, EPC and installer companies based in 26 states. These are the questions you must ask yourself and the obstacles you must plan for if you want to be a successful company past 2016.
Referrals are your best base for turning a lead into a sale.
Decide what your company means to you
First and foremost, are you happy working in solar? Do you want to stick around? Continued success in this business may not come easily, and you need to be prepared for the road ahead. “It’s very possible some installation companies today are looking to earn all they can from the salmon run that will happen through the end of 2016, and then maybe they’ll close the business down or try and sell their business,” Irvin said.
16
SOLAR POWER WORLD
ITC_7-15_Vs5sb.indd 16
7 • 2015
“Then there are those who want to be in it for the long haul. It can simply depend on the personal plans of those small business owners.” Once you determine if you want to stay in solar, it’s time to prepare for changes.
Be realistic with your employees You could very well come out the other side of the credit reduction without scrapes or bruises, but business is still unlikely to go on as usual. It’s best to be up-front with your current employees and any potential hires. “Set expectations very clearly with your employees: This is what’s staring us in the face. [We] can’t guarantee what’s even going to happen with the business,” Irvin said. “It’s OK to say they’ll have a job at this pay rate today, installing solar and learning this trade for a year and a half. But after that, no job is safe and this is just the reality of what’s happening in our industry.” But hiring has to happen now, not next year. According to a report from Mercatus, which cited University of Chicago research, because solar’s pool of quality talent is small, outside individuals must be trained, and that takes time. In order to meet 2016’s demand for solar installations, employees should begin training four to six months out, which is right now.
Use your money carefully Do you need to buy new trucks or can you lease them? Do you have to move the company to a larger building this year? Would switching to new management software save time and funds? Make wise decisions with your cash.
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/23/15 5:59 PM
5OO
[ITC]
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
Photos courtesy of Dennis Schroeder, NREL
“Ideally, residential contractors who want to remain competitive will partner with banks and financial firms that can offer monthly cash flows for the homeowner which show savings compared to their current utility bill,” Irvin said. Longer term loans could help get them there when the credit goes to zero. A $20,000 residential system amortized over many years is much easier to handle without any incentives up front.
Get creative about marketing Referrals are the best and easiest ways to secure business, but out-of-the-box marketing will help you get over the post-2016 hump. “Get creative about how to get around people and talk about solar,” Irvin said. “Referrals are your best base for turning a lead into a sale.” Attend community festivals, host education nights, try a new advertising campaign—informing customers that solar is affordable even without the Section 25D credit will secure your leadership in the area and bring in sales. But remember, you’ll likely need the financing partners to bring such affordability to those kitchen tables. SPW
THE SPEED OF LIGHT Does your smart inverter need a revenue-grade power meter with a fast power (Opt FP) update rate?
“For residential, it depends on your current operational efficiencies and cost structure,” Irvin said. “As a smaller business, you have to be profitable. Can you reach installation prices that allow you to be profitable without the residential Section 25D credit? If not, then consider holding off on making large capital investments that take years to see the return on. Be very careful with your cash flow and use it for operating and installation labor expenses that will generate earnings in the short term.”
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Search for financing options Contractors that present attractive financing options to their clients will come out ahead after the credit drops.
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ITC_7-15_Vs4sb.indd 17
7 • 2015
SOLAR POWER WORLD
17
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BayWa 7-15.indd 1
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Lists By State p.xx
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2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS
BY THE NUMBERS BROUGHT TO YOU BY
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“By the Numbers” powered by:
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
WHAT’S IN A NAME
SCALE OF WORK Top Contractors work in these markets primarily:
158 Commercial / Industrial / Government 10 Off-Grid 292 Residential 40 Utility
40
Solar contractors are progressive by nature, but when it comes to business names, they stick with the tried and true— Tick Tock Energy (No. 460) excepted. 131
131
E N
235
39
S
273
158
292
44
39
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273
49
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L
273
49
49
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131
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49
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131
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18
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18
18
17
17
17
17
N E W A B
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5
Most common words used in business names:
# of companies
49
C
R G Y
44 Sun 39 Power 18 Green
17 5 3
17
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17
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17
Renewable Roofing Stellar
THE SOLAR ERA
75
56
39
273
R O O F
THE JOB Some companies specialize in specific aspects of solar installation; others do it all, working as EPCs.
E
A
273 Solar 131 Energy 49 Electric
158
44
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10 5
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McCarthy Building Cos. (No. 17) was founded in 1864, but the majority of Top Contractors started in the last decade.
50
25
0 2004 2005
2006
2007
2008 2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
year founded
22 3
SUPPLYING HOT WATER Romans used solar hot water heating 2,500 years ago. A tried and true technology, a fifth of the Top Contractors list continues to provide the solution.
3 f to
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Infographics_7-15_Vs9sb.indd 20
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7 • 2015
103
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
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“By the Numbers” powered by:
The 2015 TopSolar
CONTRACTORS
by the numbers
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
HAVE BUSINESS, WILL TRAVEL Most Top Contractors do work outside of their hometowns, and many go out of state. This is where they do business.
191 California
77 Pennsylvania
107 New York
75 Colorado
94 Arizona
74 Maryland
87 North Carolina
65 Georgia
84 Massachusetts
65 Connecticut
79 Florida
64 Virginia
78 Nevada
59 Delaware 57 Hawaii
Technology • Development • Installation
SOLAR WORKERS NRG Energy (No. 18) and SolarCity (No. 3) claim about 10,000 employees each, but 120 companies get the job done with fewer than 10 people.
66: 101 to 1,000 employees
298:
11 to 100
16: Over 1,000
STORAGE BREAKTHROUGH
57%
Most contractors have experience with solar storage. We expect these numbers to go up. For decades, off-grid projects were the purview of solar storage. That’s changing as technology becomes more affordable and reliable. These are the Installed solar types of projects that Top Contractors storage in 2014 installed with storage in 2014.
120:
Up to 10
4%
18%
SMALL UTILITY
COMMERCIAL
52%
77%
OFF-GRID
SOLAR HUBS Only Sound Solar (No. 499) calls Kronau, Saskatchewan, Canada, home, but a number of contractors share residency of the same city.
5
5 Seattle, Washington
3 Raleigh, North Carolina
3 Scottsdale, Arizona
11 Phoenix, Arizona
14 San Diego, California
4 New Orleans, Louisiana
6 Chicago, Illinois
4 Salt Lake City, Utah
5 Las Vegas, Nevada
9 Austin, Texas
14
The information on these pages comes from 2015 Top Solar Contractors list application results and a survey sent to some applicants.
Infographics_7-15_Vs9sb.indd 21
RESIDENTIAL
4 Knoxville, Tennessee
5
Technology • Development • Installation
6 7 • 2015
SOLAR POWER WORLD
21
7/23/15 6:27 PM
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“By the Numbers” powered by:
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
ITC OUTLOOK
EXPERT OPINIONS
Top Contractors rated the importance of the continuation of the ITC for their businesses. In short, it’s a critical piece of legislation. Here’s what they said:
Solar design and sales software continues to improve, but nothing beats an in-house human expert for those complex technical questions.
328
331
companies benefit from an electrical, mechanical or civil engineer on staff companies employ at least one NABCEPcertified principal
BEYOND SOLAR 20% NO 19% LOOKING INTO IT
DRONES!
EXPERT
328 ENGINEERING DEGREE
SOLAR POWER WORLD
DO YOU OFFER OTHER SERVICES BESIDES PV INSTALLATION?
Infographics_7-15_Vs9sb.indd 22
42%
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
Much more than toys, drones can be valuable marketing and maintenance and operations tools.
7 • 2015
42%
USED DRONES IN 2014
21%
“It’s too early to tell”
26%
“We will survive”
47%
NABCEP CERTIFICATION
Diversification has long been a sound business strategy, and the same applies in this industry.
42 22
331
“We will close without it”
61% YES 34%
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Companies also provided grant writing, installing solar attic fans and aerial solar imaging.
20%
PANEL CLEANING & SNOW REMOVAL
SALES SRATEGY There are many ways to find clients. Referrals are king. Some contractors exhibit at fairs and festivals. Others use direct mail, radio or television promotion. Media savvy businesses distribute press releases. Here are other common ways contractors found clients:
46%
35% $
$
BUY FROM A 3 RD PARTY
COLD CALLING
67%
22%
WEB MARKETING
DOOR-TODOOR SALES
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/23/15 6:27 PM
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“By the Numbers” powered by:
The 2015 TopSolar
CONTRACTORS
by the numbers LUKE WARM ON THE NEC Most contractors could take it or leave it. When asked if they agree with the implementation of NEC regulations, this is what they said:
5%
RELATIONSHIP WITH UTILITIES Utilities tend to get a bad rap in the industry, but many contractors reported a good working relationship.
STRONGLY AGREE “I train fire fighters, and rapid shut down is a must in their eyes.” – JEH Solar (No. 203)
27%
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
AGREE “Shut down and arcfault safety are important issues. Addressing them will make solar safer.”
24%
26%
50%
Have a great relationship
Report they’re doing “OK”
Did not answer
UNION LABOR
– Run on Sun (No. 468)
56%
Sometimes a project is bigger than any one developer or EPC, and the local labor hall gets a call.
of contractors used union labor
LABOR HALL
NO OPINION “Our engineers feel that rapid shutdown requirement is mostly a solution looking for a problem.”
Of those that used union labor:
23% All of the time 61% Used it less than a third of the time
– ReVision Energy (No. 165)
9%
19%
DISAGREE “Rapid shut down requirements are like wearing a belt and suspenders. The entire code is overkill”
16% Did not specify
– Unique Solar (No. 429)
STRONGLY DISAGREE “The built-in inverter safety features and labeling requirements seem adequate and reasonable for safety.” 2%
WOMEN IN SOLAR
35% have women working in the field, and the majority of them are managers.
– A1A Solar Contracting (No. 212)
The information on these pages comes from 2015 Top Solar Contractors list application results and a survey sent to some applicants.
Infographics_7-15_Vs9sb.indd 23
7 • 2015
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7/23/15 6:28 PM
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10539_SL_Solar Power World- Top Contractors Ad.indd 1 SunLink 7-15.indd 1
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Lists By State p.xx
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2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
HONORING THE BEST OF THE INDUSTRY Top Solar Contractors are dedicated to bringing renewable energy to North America. The following pages honor the efforts of 500 solar companies and celebrate their success.
The Top 500 List Begins On The Next Page Lists By Market Lists By Service
Top 500 Intro_Vs3kp.indd 1
p.50 p.58
Lists By Top States p.73 Contractors Across America p.91
7/23/15 4:41 PM
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THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= UTILITY CONTRACTOR
= EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
The SolarReviews Pre-Screened Solar Pro program is a performance-based quality accreditation for solar installers. Consumers and business owners looking to install solar can trust an installer with this badge. The badge appears on the Top 500 list next to contractors that have achieved this status.
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2014 1
First Solar
Tempe
CA
1999
6,060
3,881.333
1,023.130
2
Mortenson Construction
Minneapolis
MN
1954
3,810
1,275.900
512.920
mortenson.com/solar
3
SolarCity
San Mateo
CA
2006
10,000
1,100.000
502.000
solarcity.com
4
Arraycon
Sacramento
CA
2009
67
642.000
449.000
arraycon.com
5
Helix Electric
Las Vegas
NV
1985
1,500
1,150.000
411.000
helixelectric.com
6
Signal Energy Constructors
Chattanooga
TN
2005
115
691.600
331.000
signalenergy.com
7
Rosendin Electric
San Jose
CA
1919
4,500
798.000
319.000
rosendin.com
8
Swinerton Renewable Energy
San Francisco
CA
1888
1,729
657.000
318.000
swinerton.com
9
Amec Foster Wheeler
Atlanta
GA
1946
40,000
595.000
287.000
amecfw.com
10
Cupertino Electric
San Jose
CA
1954
2,190
940.000
280.500
cei.com
11
HB White Canada
Brampton
Ontario
2005
500
408.000
280.000
hbwhitecanada.com
12
E Light Electric Services
Englewood
CO
1998
945
770.350
279.650
elightelectric.com
13
Alternative Energy Development
Fort Lee
NJ
2008
100
925.610
273.500
aed.us.com
14
Strata Solar
Chapel Hill
NC
2008
176
544.000
250.000
stratasolar.com
15
CSI Electrical Contractors
Santa Fe Springs
CA
1990
700
575.700
214.000
csielectric.com
16
Vivint Solar (now SunEdison)
Lehi
UT
2011
3,289
228.000
155.000
vivintsolar.com
17
McCarthy Building Cos.
St. Louis
MO
1864
1,300
211.500
133.000
mccarthy.com
18
NRG Energy (including NRG Renew & NRG Home Solar) Princeton
NJ
1989
10,000
1,341.000
112.000
nrg.com
19
JE Dunn Construction
MO
1924
2,850
126.000
108.000
jedunn.com
20
Renewable Energy Systems Americas Broomfield
CO
1997
500
141.000
91.000
res-americas.com
21
Baker Electric Solar
Escondido
CA
2007
522
151.056
71.397
bakerelectricsolar.com
22
Gehrlicher Solar America
Springfield
NJ
2010
70
184.592
69.500
gehrlichersolar.us
23
Moss Solar
Fort Lauderdale
FL
2004
430
331.890
63.000
mosscm.com
24
FLS Energy
Asheville
NC
2006
60
175.000
63.000
flsenergy.com
25
S&C Electric Company
Chicago
IL
1911
2,500
132.200
63.000
sandc.com
26
Hanwha Q CELLS USA
Irvine
CA
1999
49
170.640
58.337
q-cells.us
27
Borrego Solar
San Diego
CA
1980
120
161.998
51.204
borregosolar.com
28
Pro-Tech Energy Solutions
Moorestown
NJ
2008
32
100.489
46.000
pro-techenergy.com
Kansas City
Top 500 list 7-15_Vs10kp FINAL.indd 27
7 • 2015
firstsolar.com
SOLAR POWER WORLD
27
7/23/15 8:24 PM
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Sign up now www.aurorasolar.com
How about you.indd Aurora 7-15.indd 1 1
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THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2014 29
Advanced Green Technologies
Fort Lauderdale
FL
2007
25
130.454
43.683
agt.com
30
Sunstall
Novato
CA
2011
26
151.000
43.000
sunstall.com
31
Cenergy Power
Carlsbad
CA
2008
45
107.500
39.500
cenergypower.com
32
Quanta Power Generation
Greenwood Village CO
2008
703
341.032
38.659
quantapower.net
33
A-C Electric Company (A-C Solar)
Bakersfield
CA
1945
200
87.000
37.400
a-csolar.com
34
SunRise Power
Peterborough
Ontario
2009
46
136.724
35.790
sunrisepower.ca
35
Alpha Energy
Phoenix
AZ
1976
2,000
200.000
35.000 alpha.com/solar
36
DKD Electric
Albuquerque
NM
1978
120
95.800
32.800
dkdelectric.com
37
Riggs Distler & Company
Cherry Hill
NJ
1909
1,000
130.000
32.000
riggsdistler.com
38
The Conti Group
Edison
NJ
1906
750
72.200
31.300
conticorp.com
39
NARENCO
Charlotte
NC
2009
22
47.000
31.000
narenco.com
40
AUI Contractors
Fort Worth
TX
1983
250
124.000
30.000
auigc.com
41
REC Solar
San Luis Obispo
CA
1997
156
139.820
28.842
recsolar.com
42
Sunnova
Houston
TX
2013
175
45.486
26.092
sunnova.com
43
Baja Construction
Martinez
CA
1981
100
100.000
25.846
bajacarports.com
44
Inovateus Solar
South Bend
IN
2008
31
151.430
25.080
inovateussolar.com
45
M Bar C Construction
San Marcos
CA
2005
65
202.000
25.000
mbarconline.com
46
Baker Renewable Energy
Raleigh
NC
2009
30
80.000
24.000 bakerrenewable.com
47
Bombard Renewable Energy
Las Vegas
NV
1982
300
100.000
22.931
bombardre.com
48
Greenskies Renewable Energy
Middletown
CT
2008
50
41.794
22.611
greenskies.com
49
Nexamp
Boston
MA
2007
42
46.953
22.086
nexamp.com
50
Clean Focus
Sunnyvale
CA
2008
20
40.000
22.000
cleanfocus.us
51
American Helios Constructors
Owings Mills
MD
2012
25
60.000
21.000
americanhelios.com
52
Watson Electrical Construction
Wilson
NC
1935
700
52.000
20.000
watsonenergysolutions.com
53
Hannah Solar
Atlanta
GA
2008
30
46.900
20.000
hannahsolar.com
54
RGS Energy (Real Goods Solar)
Louisville
CO
1978
200
22.500
17.044
rgsenergy.com
55
Solar Universe
Livermore
CA
2008
600
46.000
17.000
solaruniverse.com
56
Sun Ray Install
West Berlin
NJ
2011
26
56.660
16.400
sunrayinstall.com
57
PsomasFMG
Huntington Beach CA
2009
25
42.230
16.160
psomasfmg.com
58
Peck Solar
South Burlington
VT
1972
120
30.935
16.124
peckelectric.com
59
AES Distributed Energy
Boulder
CO
2009
32
249.058
15.500
aesdistributedenergy.com
60
Cantsink
Lilburn
GA
1988
50
61.000
15.000
cantsink.com
61
J. Ranck Electric
Mt. Pleasant
MI
1986
200
30.040
14.900
jranck.com
62
Bland Solar & Air
Bakersfield
CA
1985
55
62.870
14.220
blandsolar.com
63
GeoPeak Energy
Somerset
NJ
2009
28
50.000
14.000
geopeak.com
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THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2014 64
Newkirk Electric Assoicates
Muskegon
MI
1961
425
98.331
13.200
65
Standard Solar
Rockville
MD
2004
55
47.143
13.149 standardsolar.com
66
Energy Systems & Installation
Jonestown
PA
2008
30
30.300
12.700
esipowercorp.com
67
Amergy Solar
Piscataway
NJ
2010
70
30.000
12.000
amergysolar.com
68
Smart Energy Solar
Corona
CA
2005
140
20.240
11.920
smartenergyusa.com
69
KDH Solar
New Orleans
LA
2011
27
25.600
11.600
kdhsolar.com
70
Renewable Assets
Richmond
VA
2009
32
42.800
11.500
renewableassets.com
71
Direct Energy Solar
Annapolis Junction MD
2008
500
40.000
11.200
directenergysolar.com
72
Namaste Solar
Boulder
CO
2004
110
37.000
11.000
namastesolar.com
73
Horizon Solar Power
Hemet
CA
1998
540
15.260
10.670
horizonsolarpower.com
74
EnterSolar
New York City
NY
2006
17
17.300
10.500
entersolar.com
75
Carolina Solar Energy
Durham
NC
2007
4
76.000
10.400
carolinasolarenergy.com
76
PetersenDean Roofing and Solar
Fremont
CA
1984
4,000
100.000
10.000
petersendean.com
77
Shorebreak Energy Developers
Irvine
CA
2010
65
35.000
10.000
shorebreakenergy.com
78
NOVA Consultants
Novi
MI
1992
50
25.000
10.000
novaconsultants.com
79
Natural Power and Energy
Scottsdale
AZ
2008
7
37.439
9.984
naturalpowerandenergy.com
80
Radiance Solar
Atlanta
GA
2007
32
40.037
9.558
radiancesolar.com
81
System 3
Carmichael
CA
2001
250
17.054
9.430 system3inc.com
82
Sun Valley Solar Solutions
Chandler
AZ
2006
94
25.800
9.200
svssolutions.com
83
Stellar Energy GP
Rohnert Park
CA
2006
30
34.080
9.032
stellarenergy.com
84
Solect Energy Development
Hopkinton
MA
2009
34
14.500
8.900
solect.com
85
Tecta Solar
Fort Washington
PA
2000
2,200
81.250
8.820
tectasolar.com
86
Solar Source
Largo
FL
1984
45
92.804
8.688
solarsource.net
87
Haleakala Solar
Kahului
HI
1977
180
63.284
8.632 haleakalasolar.com
88
OnForce Solar
Bronx
NY
2008
100
24.600
8.600
onforcesolar.com
89
Summerwind Solar
Phoenix
AZ
2009
26
44.550
8.440
summerwindsolar.com
90
Solar Power & Light
Miamisburg
OH
2010
20
15.000
8.000
splsolar.com
91
Sustainable Energy Developments
Rochester
NY
2002
25
17.000
7.760
sed-net.com
92
Titan Solar Construction
Van Nuys
CA
2011
188
18.000
7.500
titansolarco.com
93
The Solar Company
Castro Valley
CA
2004
180
19.342
7.403
thesolarco.com
94
Bithenergy
Baltimore
MD
2009
28
29.000
7.000
bithenergy.com
95
Solar Energy World
Elkridge
MD
2009
52
23.000
7.000
solarenergyworld.com
96
GCI Solar
Huntington Beach CA
1986
130
22.000
7.000
gcisolar.com
97
SUNworks
Roseville
CA
2010
100
15.000
7.000
visitsunworks.com
98
Oak Leaf Energy Partners
Denver
CO
2005
66.000
6.700
oakleafep.com
30
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newkirk-electric.com
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/23/15 3:17 PM
Rapid Shutdown. You don’t want to worry about NEC® 2014. So we did.
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ABB 7-15.indd 1
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THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2014 99
Vision Solar
Provo
UT
2013
150
10.000
6.700
visionsolar.com
100
PermaCity Construction Corp
Santa Monica
CA
2003
15
42.000
6.600
permacity.com
101
SolBright Renewable Energy
Charleston
SC
2009
7
20.010
6.459
solbrightre.com
102
American Solar Direct
Los Angeles
CA
2009
400
23.278
6.452
americansolardirect.com
103
M.B. Herzog Electric
Paramount
CA
1974
150
24.000
6.280
herzogelectric.com
104
Pickett Solar
Fresno
CA
1988
16
15.500
6.150
pickettsolar.com
105
Stellar Solar
Carlsbad
CA
1998
95
35.000
6.000
stellarsolar.net
106
Solar Topps
Phoenix
AZ
2009
60
25.000
6.000
solartopps.com
107
Freedom Solar Power
Austin
TX
2007
60
17.000
6.000
freedomsolarpower.com
108
Hawaii Energy Connection
Honolulu
HI
2007
73
30.031
5.961
hawaiienergyconnection.com
109
Sullivan Solar Power
San Diego
CA
2004
119
24.757
5.937
sullivansolarpower.com
110
Affordable Solar Installation
Albuquerque
NM
1998
100
15.000
5.800
thinkaffordablesolar.com
111
SolarFlair Energy
Ashland
MA
2007
45
12.216
5.780
solarflair.com
112
Rising Sun Solar & Electric
Haiku
HI
1986
200
11.000
5.500
risingsunsolar.com
113
Got Electric
Gaithersburg
MD
2006
10
19.000
5.411
gotelectric.net
114
Resolute Performance Contracting
Tempe
AZ
2011
42
35.900
5.369
resolutepc.com
115
Sun Solar Energy Solutions
Bakersfield
CA
2008
80
12.410
5.300
sunsolarpros.com
116
Fidelity Home Energy
San Diego
CA
1991
80
17.964
5.164
fidelityhome.net
117
Ray Angelini
Sewell
NJ
1974
250
100.000
5.000
raiservices.com
118
So-Cal Solar
Lancaster
CA
2005
50
50.000
5.000
socalsolarinc.com
119
Blue Oak Energy
Davis
CA
2003
52
40.000
5.000
blueoakenergy.com
120
Island Pacific Energy
Honolulu
HI
2007
13
30.000
5.000
islandpacificenergy.com
121
SunSmart Technologies
Gladstone
MO
2012
25
16.000
5.000
sunsmartusa.com
122
German Solar Corporation
London
Ontario
2009
35
12.000
5.000
germansolarcorp.com
123
NRG Clean Power
Canoga Park
CA
1987
120
11.000
5.000
nrgcleanpower.com
124
German Energy Alternatives
London
Ontario
2004
25
7.500
5.000
geainc.ca
125
Positive Energy Solar
Santa Fe
NM
1997
75
11.222
4.965
positiveenergysolar.com
126
Alternative Energy Systems
Chico
CA
2003
63
10.000
4.900
solarenergyforlife.com
127
Boston Solar
Woburn
MA
2011
130
9.629
4.848
bostonsolar.us
128
Revolve Solar
Austin
TX
2012
103
8.329
4.700
revolvesolar.com
129
Efficient Energy of Tennesse
Knoxville
TN
2009
20
10.911
4.600
eetenn.com
130
Clean Energy Collective
Louisville
CO
2009
106
12.730
4.503 easycleanenergy.com
131
South Coast Solar
New Orleans
LA
2007
42
25.000
4.400
southcoastsolar.com
132
Dovetail Solar and Wind
Athens
OH
1995
26
10.500
4.299
dovetailsolar.com
133
GEM Energy
Walbridge
OH
2009
10
13.500
4.100
gemenergy.com
32
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Renewable NRG 7-15.indd 1
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5OO
THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2014 134
Complete Solar Solutions of California
San Mateo
CA
2009
73
135
Solar Electrical Systems
Thousand Oaks
CA
1981
136
Milholland Electric
El Cajon
CA
137
A1 Solar Power
Van Nuys
138
Meridian Solar
139
10.000
4.027 completesolar.com
25
115.000
4.000
solarelectricalsystems.com
1990
35
10.000
4.000
milhollandelectric.com
CA
1986
499
9.527
3.927
a1solarpower.net
Austin
TX
1999
25
40.000
3.900
meridiansolar.com
American Electric
Honolulu
HI
1946
185
13.300
3.900
americanelectrichomes.com
140
Hawaii Energy Smart
Maui
HI
2009
8
8.400
3.900
hawaiienergysmart.com
141
Harmon Electric
Phoenix
AZ
1975
75
20.508
3.872 harmonsolar.com
142
Enver Solar
Tustin
CA
2013
145
5.832
3.804
enversolar.com
143
Paradise Energy Solutions
Gap
PA
2009
50
11.670
3.760
paradisesolarenergy.com
144
GRID Alternatives
Oakland
CA
2001
200
17.874
3.645
gridalternatives.org
145
SunVest Solar
Pewaukee
WI
2009
5
8.500
3.524
sunvest.com
146
Sunpro Solar
Lacombe
LA
2007
42
5.381
3.520
gosunpro.com
147
Consolidated Solar Technologies
Albuquerque
NM
2008
51
25.000
3.500
gocstsolar.com
148
Solaris Energy Solutions
Carolina
Puerto Rico 2014
110
3.500
3.500
solarispr.com
149
Alternate Energy
Honolulu
HI
1993
80
273.359
3.446
alternateenergyhawaii.com
150
Vista Solar
Santa Clara
CA
2008
20
10.216
3.369
vista-solar.com
151
Sea Bright Solar
Ocean
NJ
2003
65
8.500
3.265
seabrightsolar.com
152
Monolith Solar Associates
Albany
NY
2009
56
11.500
3.250
monolithsolar.com
153
Alder Energy Systems
Mt. Pleasant
SC
2008
10
6.000
3.250 alder-energy.com
154
Pfister Energy
Hawthorne
NJ
2005
27
30.000
3.200
pfisterenergy.com
155
Herca Solar
Oceanside
CA
2004
35
17.300
3.100
hercasolar.com
156
O3 Energy Solutions
Dallas
TX
2011
7
7.200
3.100
o3energysolutions.com
157
Vanguard Energy Partners
Somerville
NJ
2008
35
61.000
3.000
vanguardenergypartners.com
158
American Made Solar & Wind
Brownsville
TX
2005
50
56.000
3.000
ausasolar.com
159
Renova Solar
Palm Desert
CA
2006
101
6.750
3.000
renovasolar.com
160
Kurios Energy
Manteca
CA
2010
30
5.000
3.000
kuriosenergy.com
161
Maui Solar Project
Kahului
HI
2008
18
5.000
3.000
mauisolarproject.org
162
Suncrest Solar
Salt Late City
UT
2013
200
5.000
3.000
suncrestsolar.com
163
Apex Solar Power
Queensbury
NY
2007
70
44.200
2.923
apexsolarpower.com
164
Joule Solar Energy
New Orleans
LA
2009
65
8.000
2.902
joule-energy.com
165
ReVision Energy
Portland
ME
2003
81
10.000
2.900
revisionenergy.com
166
Arizona Solar Solutions
Phoenix
AZ
2003
125
6.500
2.880
az-solarsolutions.com
167
CB Solar
Des Moines
IA
2013
10
4.290
2.880
cbsolarinc.com
168
OneRoof Energy
San Diego
CA
2011
108
11.087
2.865
oneroofenergy.com
34
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7/23/15 3:18 PM
5OO
THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2014 169
EcoMark Solar
Denver
CO
2010
70
4.343
2.793
ecomarksolar.com
170
Sunvalley Solar
Walnut
CA
2007
15
6.468
2.713
sunvalleysolarinc.com
171
SUNation Solar Systems
Oakdale
NY
2003
55
12.699
2.684
sunationsolarsystems.com
172
Superior Solar Systems
Altamonte Springs FL
1984
27
77.595
2.653
superiorsolar.com
173
Longhorn Solar
Austin
TX
2009
40
5.775
2.549
longhornsolar.com
174
Empire Renewable Energy
Phoenix
AZ
2010
15
19.500
2.500
solarbyempire.com
175
Renewable Energy Massachusetts
Cambridge
MA
2010
2
11.000
2.500
remenergyco.com
176
Sunsense Solar
Carbondale
CO
1990
15
7.300
2.500
sunsensesolar.com
177
Granite State Solar
Boscawen
NH
2008
11
3.000
2.500
granitestatesolar.com
178
Ross Solar Group
Danbury
CT
2007
26
16.980
2.490
rosssolargroup.com
179
McWire Electric
El Cajon
CA
1999
45
8.000
2.400
mcwireelectric.net
180
Lifestyle Solar
Fresno
CA
2008
40
6.400
2.400
lifestylesolarinc.com
181
Sustineo
San Diego
CA
2007
9
134.000
2.346
sustineocorp.com
182
Independence Solar
Cherry Hill
NJ
2007
6
17.300
2.300
independencesolar.com
183
Arise Solar
Clovis
CA
2007
50
8.221
2.263
arisesolar.com
184
Sunline Energy
San Diego
CA
2011
48
8.650
2.250
sunlineenergy.com
185
EmPower Solar
Island Park
NY
2003
70
11.300
2.213
empower-solar.com
186
American Solar & Roofing
Scottsdale
AZ
2001
58
29.300
2.200
americansolarandroofing.com
187
Newport Power
San Clemente
CA
2008
9
11.200
2.200
newportpower.com
188
Axium Solar
Plano
TX
2008
30
9.400
2.200
axiumsolar.com
189
Auric Solar
Midvale
UT
2010
26
7.010
2.200
auricsolar.com
190
Ambassador Energy
Murrieta
CA
2008
21
5.100
2.200
ambassadorenergy.com
191
Electric Distribution & Design Systems Garland
TX
1976
6
4.600
2.200
garlandtxsolarcontractors.com
192
NATiVE
Austin
TX
2007
50
10.500
2.100
buildnative.com
193
Intermountain Wind and Solar
Salt Lake City
UT
2008
80
9.500
2.100
intermtnwindandsolar.com
194
Lighthouse Solar Texas
Austin
TX
2007
35
5.900
2.100
lighthousesolar.com
195
American Solar Power
Glendale
CA
2009
34
5.500
2.100
asolarp.com
196
Robco Electric
Las Vegas
NV
1997
49
4.300
2.100
robcosolarlasvegas.com
197
Energy Concepts
Sapello
NM
1991
11
4.000
2.100 eccsolar.com
198
Missouri Sun Solar
Houston
MO
2012
25
6.365
2.065
missourisunsolar.com
199
Solar Choice Solutions
Westlake Village
CA
2007
43
235.000
2.000
solarchoicesolutions.com
200
Independent Energy Solutions
Vista
CA
1998
30
38.000
2.000
indenergysolutions.com
201
RWD Consultants
Camden
NJ
2004
14
15.000
2.000
rwdconsultants.com
202
SunHarvest Solar
Phoenix
AZ
2009
30
13.100
2.000
sunharvest-us.com
203
JEH Solar
Lafayette
LA
2009
8
10.000
2.000
jehsolar.com
Top 500 list 7-15_Vs9kp FINAL.indd 35
7 • 2015
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35
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5OO
THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2014 204
SunFusion Solar
San Diego
CA
2010
30
9.280
2.000
sunfusionsolar.com
205
Solar Solution
Washington
DC
2009
23
7.000
2.000
solarsolutionllc.com
206
LuxLight Solar Energy
Lodi
CA
2001
15
5.000
2.000
luxlightsolar.com
207
West Coast Solar
Brentwood
CA
2007
30
5.000
2.000
westcoastsolar.com
208
Photonworks Engineering
Honolulu
HI
2003
40
11.000
1.953
photonworks.com
209
Nova West Solar
Fresno
CA
2005
22
7.677
1.927
novawestsolar.com
210
Kopp Electric Company
Toms River
NJ
1994
40
4.850
1.900
koppsolar.com
211
Creative Energies
Lander
WY
2001
18
4.875
1.875
cesolar.com
212
A1A Solar Contracting
Jacksonville
FL
2010
25
2.410
1.822
a1asolar.com
213
Sunpro Solar
Wildomar
CA
2008
60
6.056
1.817
sunpro-solar.com
214
Central California Solar
Tulare
CA
2009
23
3.656
1.805
ccsolar.com
215
Alternative Energy Services
Sanford
FL
2007
9
6.000
1.800
wearesolarpower.com
216
Infinity Solar Systems
Pearl River
NY
2007
36
4.000
1.800
infinitysolarsystems.com
217
New York State Solar Farm (NYSSF)
Modena
NY
2007
30
2.900
1.800
nyssf.com
218
CIR Electrical Constrution Corp.
Buffalo
NY
1976
155
1.986
1.760
solarbycir.com
219
Stronghold Engineering
Riverside
CA
1991
150
15.469
1.755
strongholdengineering.com
220
RevoluSun
Honolulu
HI
2009
40
57.000
1.750
revolusn.com
221
Air Wind & Solar
Stephenville
TX
2010
35
8.000
1.750
airwindsolar.com
222
Sky High Energy
Phoenix
AZ
2009
18
6.750
1.750
skyhighenergy.com
223
SunGreen Systems
Irwindale
CA
2009
10
4.855
1.700
sungreensytems.com
224
Sun Light & Power
Berkeley
CA
1976
58
18.000
1.659
sunlightandpower.com
225
Clean Solar
San Jose
CA
2007
36
5.534
1.600
cleansolar.com
226
Complete Energy Solutions
Elk River
MN
2009
8
4.600
1.600
completeenergy.biz
227
Fresco Solar
Morgan Hill
CA
2006
15
3.800
1.600
frescosolar.com
228
Atwood Electric
Sigourney
IA
1977
26
2.300
1.600
atwoodelectric.com
229
Solare Energy
San Diego
CA
1989
30
4.258
1.537
solareenergy.com
230
Solis Partners
Sea Girt
NJ
2009
15
13.500
1.500
solispartners.com
231
RER Energy Group
Reading
PA
2009
15
8.600
1.500
rerenergygroup.com
232
Scudder Roofing Sun Energy Systems
Marina
CA
2007
15
7.500
1.500
scuddersolar.com
233
Aztec Solar
Rancho Cordova
CA
1980
40
7.000
1.500
aztecsolar.com
234
Cosmic Solar
Vista
CA
2005
14
7.000
1.500
cosmicsolar.com
235
Maximo Solar Industries
Aguadilla
Puerto Rico 2009
53
6.250
1.500
maximosolar.com
236
Solarponics
Atascadero
CA
1975
35
5.000
1.500
solarponics.com
237
Synergy Power
Midvale and Alpine UT
1999
11
5.000
1.500
synergypowerpv.com
238
Valley Pro Electric
Phoenix
2009
12
5.000
1.500
valleyproelectric.com
36
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AZ
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/23/15 3:18 PM
Higher Energy Production with Smarter Monitoring
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UC-8100 Programmable Communications Gateway
Ethernet Switches • Wireless AP/Bridge/Clients • Cellular Gateways Secure Routers • Gateways and Protocol Converters • Media Converters Serial Device Servers • Multiport Serial Boards • IP Cameras Video Servers • Remote I/O and Controllers • Embedded Computing
Moxa 7-15.indd 1
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THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2014 239
Innovative PowerSystems
St. Paul
MN
1991
8
4.950
1.500
ips-solar.com
240
Zia Suns Green Construction
Las Cruces
NM
2013
8
2.000
1.500
ziasuns.com
241
Zing Solar
American Fork
UT
2007
75
2.000
1.500
zingsolar.com
242
A&R Solar
Seattle
WA
2007
26
2.859
1.453
a-rsolar.com
243
Border Solar
El Paso
TX
2008
12
5.345
1.410
bordersolar.com
244
Sun First Solar
San Rafael
CA
1984
26
15.000
1.400
sunfirstsolar.com
245
Palomar Solar
Escondido
CA
2009
16
3.000
1.400
palomarsolar.com
246
PEP Solar
Phoenix
AZ
1978
29
8.000
1.384
pepsolar.com
247
North State Solar Energy
Forest Ranch
CA
2002
25
3.500
1.300
northstatesolarenergy.com
248
SunRenu Solar
Scottsdale
AZ
2008
25
3.500
1.300
sunrenu.com
249
All Energy Solar
St. Paul
MN
2009
50
3.100
1.300
allenergysolar.com
250
Solar Electric Power Company (SEPCO) Stuart
FL
1994
11
8.444
1.250
sepco-solarlighting.com
251
Sunergy Systems
Seattle
WA
2005
20
4.700
1.250
sunergysystems.com
252
Artisan Electric
Seattle
WA
1997
26
3.000
1.250
artisanelectricinc.com
253
Magic Sun Solar
Loomis
CA
2010
12
3.030
1.228
magicsunsolar.com
254
CBS Solar
Copemish
MI
1992
12
60.000
1.200
cbssolar.com
255
Vis Solis
Franklin
TN
2010
5
11.000
1.200
vis-solis.us
256
Sol Reliable
Valley Village
CA
2008
50
6.000
1.200
solreliable.com
257
Terra Steward
La Mesa
CA
2004
23
6.000
1.200 terrasteward.com
258
Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort
Rancho Cordova
CA
1984
115
5.000
1.200
sierrapacifichome.com
259
Sunlight Solar Systems
Salt Lake City
UT
2008
10
5.000
1.200
sunlightsolar.pro
260
Connector Electric (CE Solar)
Upland
CA
1989
7
4.700
1.200
connectorelectric.com
261
Greenbelt Solar
Austin
TX
2009
13
3.060
1.200
greenbeltsolar.com
262
Highlight Solar
San Jose
CA
2011
11
3.000
1.200
highlightsolar.com
263
Casey Electric
Tell City
IN
2000
10
1.500
1.200
caseysolar.com
264
Solar-Ray
Orlando
FL
2003
8
6.500
1.166
solar-ray.net
265
Yes! Solar Solutions
Cary
NC
2009
24
3.000
1.150
yessolarsolutionsnc.com
266
That Solar Guy
Murrieta
CA
2010
22
1.750
1.150
thatsolarguy.com
267
Zager Global
Deerfield Beach
FL
1989
32
2.649
1.133
zagerglobal.com
268
Planet Earth Solar
San Clemente
CA
2012
6
4.027
1.130
planetearthsolarenergy.com
269
Black Rock Solar
Reno
NV
2007
15
5.115
1.106
blackrocksolar.org
270
Southern Energy Management
Morrisville
NC
2001
67
21.000
1.100
southern-energy.com
271
Endurance Solar & Engineering
Boulder
CO
2009
6
2.900
1.100
endurance-solar.com
272
Puget Sound Solar
Seattle
WA
2001
35
4.459
1.097
pugetsoundsolar.com
38
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Visit Us at SPI Booth #3310
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THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2014 273
Lighthouse Solar Hudson Valley
New Paltz
NY
2009
10
2.746
1.090
lighthousesolar.com
274
Solar Symphony Construction
Escondido
CA
2012
26
2.154
1.089
solarsymphony.com
275
NC Solar Now
Raleigh
NC
2010
15
2.500
1.080
ncsolarnow.com
276
Bonterra Solar
Honolulu
HI
2009
22
5.470
1.020
bonterrasolar.com
277
Skytech Solar
San Francisco
CA
2008
13
2.642
1.010
skytechsolar.com
278
New Day Solar
Murrieta
CA
1997
14
6.703
1.003
newdaysolar.com
279
Atlasta Solar Center (ASC)
Grand Junction
CO
1979
15
10.000
1.000
atlastasolar.com
280
Belmont Solar
Gordonville
PA
2002
4
10.000
1.000
belmontsolar.com
281
Nu Energy Solutions
Sylvania
OH
1998
18
10.000
1.000
nuenergysolutions.net
282
SolareAmerica
Malvern
PA
2010
5
10.000
1.000
solareamerica.com
283
Northern Pacific Power Systems
Santa Rosa
CA
2010
15
8.000
1.000
northernpacificpower.com
284
Arizona Solar Wave & Energy
Mesa
AZ
1999
4
5.000
1.000
arizonssolarwave.com
285
Sierra Solar Systems
Carson City
NV
2005
10
5.000
1.000
sierrasolarsystems.com
286
Kingspan Energy
Jessup
MD
2009
4
4.000
1.000
kingspanenergy.com
287
Able Energy
River Falls
WI
2010
15
3.000
1.000
weknowsolar.com
288
NW Wind & Solar
Seattle
WA
1972
110
3.000
1.000
nwwindandsolar.com
289
CM Solar Electric
San Diego
CA
1999
15
2.000
1.000
cmsolarelectric.com
290
Simply Solar Systems
Hamlin
NY
2010
6
1.800
1.000
simplysolarsystems.com
291
Slingshot Power
Los Altos
CA
2012
36
1.200
1.000
slingshotpower.com
292
Solargaines
Baltimore
MD
2009
35
1.857
0.991
solargaines.com
293
Built Well Solar
Wantagh
NY
2001
16
6.990
0.990
builtwellsolar.com
294
Bella Energy
Louisville
CO
2005
13
12.470
0.957
bellaenergy.com
295
Technicians for Sustainability
Tucson
AZ
2003
30
11.600
0.938 tfssolar.com
296
Ace LLC Solar
Pulaski
TN
2009
15
1.693
0.918
acellcsolar.com
297
Solar Impact
Gainesville
FL
2007
9
7.095
0.907
solarimpact.com
298
Advanced Energy Systems
Eugen
OR
2004
15
15.000
0.900
aesrenew.com
299
Pro Solar Hawaii
Kailua-Kona
HI
2003
6
3.300
0.900
prosolarhawaii.com
300
Global Efficient Energy
Fort Worth
TX
2011
282
3.000
0.900
globalefficientenergy.com
301
New England Clean Energy
Hudson
MA
2006
21
2.789
0.894
newenglandcleanenergy.com
302
AMECO Solar
Paramount
CA
1974
20
10.678
0.878
solarexpert.com
303
Kasselman Solar
Albany
NY
2014
30
3.000
0.875
kasselmansolar.com
304
You Save Green
Albertson
NY
2010
15
2.864
0.864
yousavegreen.com
305
Geoscape Solar
Livingston
NJ
2008
35
4.000
0.850 geoscapesolar.com
306
Altenergy
Charlottesville
VA
2005
26
2.400
0.850
altenergyinc.com
307
Sol-Up USA
Las Vegas
NV
2009
18
1.464
0.838
solup.com
4 0 SOLAR POWER WORLD
Top 500 list 7-15_Vs9kp FINAL.indd 40
7 • 2014
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5OO
THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2014 308
Jamar Power Systems
Santee
CA
1984
50
3.524
0.835
jamarpower.com
309
LightWave Solar
Nashville
TN
2006
30
9.200
0.833
lightwavesolar.com
310
Texas Solar Outfitters
Houston
TX
2010
22
3.240
0.820
texassolaroutfitters.com
311
Capital City Solar
Roseville
CA
2002
25
7.000
0.800
capitalcitysolar.com
312
Innovative Solar
Sun City
FL
1993
15
5.000
0.800
flsolarproducts.com
313
Eco Estates International
Austin
TX
2013
56
3.000
0.800
ecoestates.us
314
AWS Solar
Los Angeles
CA
2007
9
2.000
0.800
aws-solar.com
315
Solar Sales of Michigan
Davison
MI
2003
16
1.520
0.800
solarsalesofmichigan.com
316
Energy Consultants Group
Anamosa
IA
2008
6
1.100
0.800
ecgllp.com
317
American Sentry Solar
Bel Air
MD
1993
40
1.849
0.799
americansentrysolar.com
318
IES Texas Solar
Stafford
TX
2014
5
2.000
0.795 iestxsolar.com
319
Tennessee Solar Solutions
Chattanooga
TN
2007
17
7.500
0.786
tennesseesolarsolutions.com
320
Florida Power Services
Tampa
FL
2007
4
3.900
0.785
fpssolar.com
321
Pinnacle Exteriors
Allentown
PA
2010
12
1.235
0.777 pinnacle-exteriors.com
322
Mass Renewables
Bellingham
MA
2009
7
3.170
0.770
massrenewables.net
323
ZeroBase Energy
Ferndale
MI
2009
28
2.000
0.765
thezerobase.com
324
Green Power Energy
Annandale
NJ
2009
15
3.000
0.750 greenpowerenergy.com
325
Missouri Solar Applications
Jefferson City
MO
2008
20
2.500
0.750
mosolarapps.com
326
Kenergy Solar
Washington
DC
2009
12
2.200
0.750
kenergysolar.com
327
Cromwell Solar
Lawrence
KS
1982
26
2.000
0.750
cromwellsolar.com
328
A.M. Sun Solar
Atascadero
CA
2004
15
3.500
0.740
amsunsolar.com
329
Solarado Energy
Salida
CO
1997
21
3.021
0.730
solaradoenergy.com
330
El Paso Green Energies
Colorado Springs
CO
2009
8
1.600
0.726
elpasogreenenergies.com
331
Helios Solar
Kalamazoo
MI
2009
15
1.037
0.704 helios-power.com
332
California Solar Electric Systems
Ojai
CA
2002
22
6.000
0.703
californiasolarelectric.com
333
Western Solar
Bellingham
WA
2008
12
2.100
0.691
westernsolarinc.com
334
Southern Solar Systems
Huntsville
AL
2007
15
2.500
0.689
southernsolarsystems.com
335
Legend Solar
St. George
UT
2010
25
1.525
0.682
legendsolarteam.com
336
Cost Less Energy
Yakima
WA
1979
19
1.885
0.665
costlessenergy.com
337
Great Canadian Solar
Edmonton
Alberta
2009
8
1.100
0.660
greatcanadiansolar.com
338
Windfree Solar
Chicago
IL
2008
10
1.500
0.650
windfree.us
339
Mountain View Solar and Wind
Berkeley Springs
WV
2009
19
6.650
0.646
mtvsolar.com
340
Independent Power Systems
Boulder
CO
1996
25
27.671
0.643
solarips.com
341
Potere Solar
Rancho Mirage
CA
2008
15
2.700
0.625
poteresolar.com
342
EC Company
Portland
OR
1962
600
15.000
0.600 e-c-co.com
Top 500 list 7-15_Vs9kp FINAL.indd 41
7 • 2015
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41
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THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2014 343
Simpler Solar Systems
Tallahassee
FL
1980
12
3.600
0.600
simplersolar.com
344
GreenBrilliance
Sterling
VA
2007
125
3.000
0.600
greenbrilliance.com
345
Florida Solar One
Fort Lauderdale
FL
2008
16
2.725
0.600
floridasolarone.com
346
Novel Energy
Rochester
MN
2012
15
0.800
0.600
novelenergysolutions.com
347
California Solar Electric
Grass Valley
CA
2000
14
3.686
0.594
californiasolarco.com
348
Earth Wind And Solar Energy
Chicago
IL
2008
10
2.270
0.580
earthwindandsolarenergy.com
349
Go Solar Group
Salt Lake City
UT
2011
16
1.325
0.575
gosolargroup.com
350
Thames Solar Electric
Denver
CO
1981
3
2.500
0.550
thamessolar.com
351
Texas Solar Power Company
Austin
TX
1996
16
8.000
0.530
txspc.com
352
Solar Service
Chicago
IL
1977
12
1.477
0.530
solarserviceinc.com
353
YellowLite
Cleveland
OH
2009
9
1.165
0.524
yellowlite.com
354
Ultra Solar & Wind Solutions
Ocean City
MD
2010
4
2.100
0.520
ultrasolarandwind.com
355
Solar Sale USA
Atlanta
GA
2010
15
1.150
0.515
solarsaleusa.com
356
Energy Conservation Solutions
Mooresville
NC
2011
5
0.888
0.510
energyconservationnc.com
357
Sunlight Solar Energy
Bend
OR
1988
47
4.000
0.500
sunlightsolar.com
358
Power Production Management
Gainesville
FL
2009
15
3.000
0.500
powerproductionmanagement.com
359
2K Solar
Middletown
NY
2007
6
2.000
0.500
2ksolar.com
360
Greenwired
Redway
CA
2004
11
2.000
0.500
greenwired.com
361
Progressive Power Solutions
Orem
UT
2006
13
2.000
0.500
ppswest.com
362
Cape Fear Solar Systems
Wilmington
NC
2007
12
1.625
0.500
capefearsolarsystems.com
363
Ecohouse Solar
Columbus
OH
2008
5
1.500
0.500
ecohousesolar.com
364
California Home Solar
Los Angeles
CA
2012
15
1.200
0.500
cahomesolar.com
365
Simply Solar Of Maryland
Edgewood
MD
2009
6
1.200
0.500
simplysolarofmaryland.com
366
Hardt Electric
Chicago
IL
1973
45
1.000
0.500
hardtelectric.com
367
InSite Energy
Jacksonville
FL
2012
10
1.000
0.500
insitenrg.com
368
Southern Light Solar
New Bedford
MA
2013
8
0.900
0.500
southernlightsolar.com
369
Solar States
Philadelphia
PA
2008
10
0.850
0.500
solar-states.com
370
Linear Solar
New Orleans
LA
2013
12
0.750
0.500
linearsolar.com
371
Green Energy EPC
San Diego
CA
2011
10
0.700
0.500
greenepc.com
372
Energy Independent Solutions (EIS Solar)
Pittsburgh
PA
2008
12
2.796
0.483
eissolar.com
373
PowerLutions Solar
Lakewood
NJ
2006
15
4.000
0.480 powerlutions.com
374
Pure Power Solutions
Healdsburg
CA
1993
15
3.800
0.455
purepowersolutions.com
375
PurePoint Energy
Norwalk
CT
2007
7
1.100
0.450
purepointenergy.com
376
ReNu Energy Solutions
Charlotte
NC
2010
18
1.325
0.436
renuenergysolutions.com
377
Roof Power Solar
Rich Hill
MO
2011
3
0.913
0.435
roofpowersolar.com
42
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7/23/15 3:20 PM
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Seaward 7-15.indd 1
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5OO
THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2014 378
SunBlue Energy
Sleepy Hollow
NY
2009
11
0.849
0.435
sunblueenergy.com
379
Solar Smart Living
Sunland Park
NM
2008
10
5.300
0.434
solarsmartliving.com
380
Solar CenTex
Harker Heights
TX
2012
10
0.751
0.432
solarcentex.com
381
GenPro Energy Solutions
Piedmont
SD
2003
19
1.460
0.430
genproenergy.com
382
Energy Concepts
Hudson
WI
1994
5
4.000
0.426
energyconcepts.us
383
Smart Energy of New England
Columbia
NH
2008
6
1.950
0.425
smartenergyne.com
384
Green Conception
Burbank
CA
2011
10
1.300
0.413
greenconception.com
385
True South Solar
Ashland
OR
2010
10
1.150
0.412
truesouthsolar.net
386
PPC SOLAR
Taos
NM
1979
9
6.000
0.409
ppcsolar.com
387
Solar Watt Solutions
Carlsbad
CA
2009
10
1.231
0.405
solarwattsolutions.com
388
Stellar Energy Contractors
Wheat Ridge
CO
2008
30
1.300
0.400
energycontractors.com
389
Solora Solar
Yakima
WA
2011
5
1.200
0.400
solorasolar.com
390
Southard Solar & Construction
Denver
CO
2008
12
1.100
0.400
southardsolar.com
391
Hire Electric
The Dalles
OR
1935
20
1.835
0.377
hiresolar.com
392
Innovative Energy
Breckenridge
CO
1992
10
2.000
0.370
renewablepower.com
393
Renewable Energy
Timonium
MD
2002
35
1.850
0.364
renewableenergysolar.net
394
Energy Solution Providers
Florence
AZ
2002
8
4.050
0.360
energysolutionsolar.com
395
Solar Trek
Ocala
FL
1981
20
2.960
0.360
gosolartrek.com
396
IQ Power
Sanford
FL
2009
25
1.400
0.360
iqpower.net
397
South Sound Solar
Olympia
WA
2007
14
1.100
0.360
southsoundsolar.com
398
SunWork Renewable Energy Projects
Milpitas
CA
2005
4
0.600
0.360
sunwork.org
399
Second Generation Energy
Bellingham
MA
2006
6
3.433
0.356
sgegroup.com
400
Brightstar Solar
Marlborough
MA
2009
8
0.912
0.356
brightstarsolar.net
401
Good Energy Solutions
Lawrence
KS
2007
18
0.800
0.350
goodenergysolutions.com
402
Cool Blew Solar & Electric
Peoria
AZ
2006
40
0.500
0.350
coolblew.com
403
Green Earth Solar
Knoxville
TN
2010
8
1.867
0.347
greenearthsolar.net
404
EFS Energy
St. Louis
MO
2011
10
0.445
0.345
efsenergy.com
405
Maryland Solar Solutions
Owings Mills
MD
2008
7
0.800
0.340
marylandsolarsolutions.com
406
Peka Solar and Renewable Energy
Naples
FL
2011
22
12.000
0.338
pekasolar.com
407
Custom Solar and Leisure
Tucson
AZ
2007
7
1.195
0.337
customsolarandleisure.com
408
Hyperion Energy Solutions
Bellville
OH
2012
3
3.270
0.330
hyperion-es.com
409
Gunn Electric
Pineville
LA
1954
22
1.612
0.329
gunnsolarenergysystems.com
410
Exact Solar
Yardley
PA
2005
4
0.727
0.327
exactsolar.com
411
ARiES Energy
Knoxville
TN
2011
10
0.640
0.327
ariesenergy.com
412
Evergreen Sun Power
Centennial
CO
2009
65
0.582
0.326
evergreensunpower.com
4 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7/23/15 3:27 PM
From the View to the CAD,
EAGLEVIEW DELIVERS! 速
Visit www.eagleview.com/solar to learn more and request information or visit us at booth 7230 at Solar Power International. 866.447.3741 | www.eagleview.com
EagleView 7-15.indd 1
7/23/15 11:10 AM
5OO
THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2014 413
Morton Solar
Evansville
IN
2003
7
1.150
0.320
mortonsolar.com
414
Skyline Energy Savers
El Dorado Hills
CA
1988
15
0.640
0.320
SkylineSavers.com
415
Brilliant Harvest
Sarasota
FL
2009
7
0.857
0.311
BrilliantHarvest.com
416
SRI Energy (Srinergy)
Novi
MI
2010
6
1.600
0.307
srinergy.com
417
Carbon Vision
Shaker Heights
OH
2010
5
3.075
0.305
carbonvision.com
418
Mark Syder Electric
San Diego
CA
1976
25
10.500
0.300
marksnyderelectric.com
419
Arizona Energy Pros
Phoenix
AZ
1981
10
4.200
0.300
aepros.com
420
Black Platinum Solar & Electric
Phoenix
AZ
2008
3
1.700
0.300
blackplatinumsolar.com
421
Solar Connexion
Blacksburg
VA
1993
6
1.100
0.300
solarconnexion.com
422
G6 Power Solutions
Des Moines
IA
2014
2
1.000
0.300
g6powersolutions.com
423
Earth Electric
San Jose
CA
2009
8
0.637
0.286
earth-electric.com
424
SOLARgeneration
Kingston
NY
2005
7
1.640
0.285
solargeneration.net
425
Golden West Energy
San Diego
CA
1985
10
1.000
0.275
goldenwestenergy.com
426
Michigan Solar Solutions
Commerce Twp.
MI
2007
7
1.150
0.264
michigansolarsolutions.com
427
Elemental Energy
Portland
OR
2010
7
0.752
0.260
elementalenergy.net
428
Save a Lot Solar
Oakland
CA
2008
5
0.649
0.255
savealotsolar.com
429
Unique Solar
San Diego
CA
2012
8
0.430
0.252
uniquesolar.net
430
GC SOLAR
Bellevue
WA
1992
6
1.650
0.250 gcsolar.com
431
RBS Solar
Los Angeles
CA
2010
3
1.000
0.250
rbssolar.com
432
South Texas Solar Systems
San Antonio
TX
2007
10
0.750
0.250
txsolarsystems.com
433
Cinnamon Solar
Campbell
CA
2012
8
0.500
0.250
cinnamonsolar.com
434
Sunshine Solar Services
Fort Lauderdale
FL
2007
4
1.200
0.245
sunshinesolarservices.com
435
Moore Energy
Southampton
PA
2008
15
3.209
0.242
mooreenergy.net
436
Clark EcoEnergy
Lancaster
PA
2010
4
3.762
0.240
clarkecoenergy.com
437
Winona Renewable Energy
Winona
MN
2010
2
0.546
0.239
winonarenewableenergy.com
438
Fire Mountain Solar
Mt. Vernon
WA
2001
8
1.300
0.230
firemountainsolar.com
439
Newport Renewables
Newport
RI
2010
10
3.500
0.225 nptre.com
440
Urban Solar Group
Boca Raton
FL
2009
10
1.000
0.225
urban-solar.com
441
Powell Energy and Solar
Moorestown
NJ
2009
5
1.000
0.220
powellenergyandsolar.com
442
Carlson Electric
Hayward
WI
2004
5
0.410
0.211
gosolarwi.com
443
Green State Power
Greensboro
NC
2008
4
1.100
0.200
greenstatepower.com
444
Sawmill Solar Electric
Ridgecrest
CA
2010
3
0.500
0.200
sawmillsolarelectric.com
445
Semper Solaris
San Diego
CA
2013
80
0.400
0.200
sempersolaris.com
446
Solar Advantage
Tampa
FL
2012
5
0.400
0.200
solaradv.com
447
MiEnergy Saskatoon Saskatchewan 2014
7
0.250
0.200
mienergy.ca
4 6 SOLAR POWER WORLD
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Arkema 7-15.indd 1
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5OO
THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2014 448
Pennsylvania Solar Energy
Canonsburg
PA
1999
5
0.708
0.198
449
Solar-Fit
Holly Hill
FL
1975
25
1.600
0.194 solar-fit.com
450
EcoLogical Energy Systems
Bristol
TN
2009
9
1.200
0.183
yourecoenergy.com
451
Nor Cal Solar Services
Aptos
CA
2006
4
0.300
0.180
norcalsolarservices.com
452
Texas Green Energy
College Station
TX
2007
4
0.967
0.175
txgreenenergy.com
453
Clean Energy Design
Osterville
MA
1996
5
2.200
0.160
cleanenergydesign.com
454
Appalachian Renewable Resources
Knoxville
TN
2010
1
1.300
0.150
arrtn.com
455
High Desert Electric
Gardnerville
NV
2005
10
0.750
0.150
highdesertelectric.com
456
US Renewable Energy Development (dba American Patriot Solar Community)
Las Vegas
NV
2009
10
0.300
0.150
apsolar.com
457
Accelerate Solar
Charlotte
NC
2012
12
0.315
0.147
accelerate-solar.com
458
ES Electrical Construction
Penryn
CA
1998
5
0.666
0.146
eselectricalinc.com
459
California Sun Systems
Los Angeles
CA
2006
6
1.100
0.143
csssolar.com
460
Tick Tock Energy
Effingham
IL
2006
3
0.360
0.143
ticktockenergy.com
461
T Squared Power
Midvale
UT
2012
22
2.665
0.140
tsquaredpower.com
462
Main Street Solar
Fincastle
VA
2008
5
0.416
0.136
mainstsolar.com
463
Sun Dollar Energy
Raleigh
NC
2011
3
0.325
0.135
sundollarenergy.com
464
Maine Solar Solutions
Portland
ME
2012
4
0.279
0.131
mainesolarsolutions.com
465
Construction Art
Afton
TN
1991
10
1.000
0.120 constructionart.us
466
CalSun Electric & Solar Systems
Paso Robles
CA
2010
3
0.650
0.120
calsunelectric.com
467
Agile Remodelers
Tustin
CA
2013
7
0.113
0.113
agileremodelers.com
468
Run on Sun
Pasadena
CA
2006
3
0.512
0.112
runonsun.com
469
Wray Electric
Ellensburg
WA
1991
5
0.332
0.111
wrayindustries.com
470
Sunstore Solar
Greer
SC
2007
15
7.000
0.105
sunstoresolar.com
471
ECS Solar Energy Systems
Gainesville
FL
1977
10
5.000
0.100
ecs-solar.com
472
Solarwerks
Chicago
IL
2008
3
1.100
0.100
solar-werks.com
473
Peak Solar Designs
Salida
CO
2004
4
1.000
0.100
peaksolardesigns.com
474
Ocean Solar
Northfield
NJ
2011
1
0.600
0.100
oceansolar.com
475
GR56 Energy Solutions
Oshawa
Ontario
2010
8
0.430
0.100
gr56energysolutions.ca
476
Solar Advantage
Metairie
LA
2012
12
0.300
0.100
mysolaradvantage.com
477
Clean Footprint
Cape Canaveral
FL
2012
10
0.117
0.100
clean-footprint.com
478
Green Sun Energy Services
Middletown
NJ
2010
9
0.430
0.098
greensunnj.com
479
Wright-Way Solar Technologies
Tyler
TX
2003
3
0.897
0.087
wright-way.com
480
SolarNorcal
El Dorado Hills
CA
2007
5
0.875
0.087
solarnorcal.com
481
Ozark Solar
Springdale
AR
2007
4
0.417
0.082
ozarksolarenergy.com
482
SolarSmith
Savannah
GA
2007
3
0.250
0.080
mysolarsmith.com
4 8 SOLAR POWER WORLD
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pennsolarenergy.com
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/23/15 3:50 PM
5OO
THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = EPC
= RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW PRIMARY RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE MARKET MW IN 2014 483
Entech Electronics
Dallas
TX
1996
6
0.215
0.080
entechel.com
484
Collegiate Solar
Buffalo
NY
2009
15
0.160
0.080
collegiatebuildersinc.com
485
YouVee Solar
Ridgecrest
CA
2011
2
0.125
0.075
youveesolar.com
486
Solar Quest USA
Hollywood
FL
2009
10
0.100
0.075
solarquestusa.com
487
Solar Universe of NEPA
Mountain Top
PA
2009
2
0.671
0.073
solaruniverse.com/nepa
488
New Dawn Energy Solutions
Markham
Ontario
2006
3
0.500
0.070
newdawn-es.com
489
Power Home Solar
Mooresville
NC
2014
16
0.069
0.069
powerhomesolar.com
490
Wayne's Solar
Ormond Beach
FL
1983
20
0.750
0.061
waynesolar.com
491
R and C Construction Solar
Greenville
SC
2007
4
0.300
0.060
rcconstructionsolar.com
492
Asheville Solar
Asheville
NC
2012
6
0.100
0.060
ashevillesolarcompany.com
493
Current Electric
Brookfield
WI
1983
45
0.539
0.057
currentelectricco.com
494
Frederickson Electric
Port Townsend
WA
1974
13
0.312
0.055
fredelectric.com
495
Alternative Energy Southeast
Lilburn
GA
2007
6
0.150
0.053
altenergyse.com
496
Power Star Solar
Orange County
CA
2007
105
0.472
0.052
power-starsolar.com
497
Osceola Energy
Albuquerque
NM
2009
9
0.310
0.050
osceolaenergy.com
498
Sun Commercial Solar
Cape Coral
FL
2004
1
1.750
0.045
suncommercialsolar.com
499
Sound Solar Systems Kronau Saskatchewan 2010
5
0.100
0.045
soundsolar.ca
500
American Solar Enterprises
3
14.000
0.040
thesolardr.com
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Sterling
Virginia
1986
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Top 500 list 7-15_Vs10kp FINAL.indd 49
7 • 2015
SOLAR POWER WORLD
49
7/23/15 3:50 PM
5OO UTILITY
TOP 25
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
How has smarter inverter technology changed your relationship with utilities? We’ve installed hundreds of solar inverters and worked with utilities across North America to bring largescale projects to market. We know utilities have a need for grid control—grid management is the primary role of that business—and advancements in inverter technology are meeting that need and making solar more attractive to utilities. In fact, utilities typically require inverters with grid control functionality for interconnection. New inverter technology lets utilities bring more solar online because it stabilizes the effect of intermittent solar energy. Projects with advanced inverters can better provide reactive power compensation when the utility needs it. Looking forward, renewable energy assets integrated with storage capabilities presents a great opportunity to meet utilities’ needs from coast to coast.
-Ben Fischer, president and CEO, Signal Energy (No. 6 Overall) = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
First Solar
1
Tempe
CA
1999
6,060
3,881.333
1,023.130
2
Mortenson Construction
2
Minneapolis
MN
1954
3,810
1,275.900
512.920
3
Arraycon
4
Sacramento
CA
2009
67
642.000
449.000
4
Helix Electric
5
Las Vegas
NV
1985
1,500
1,150.000
411.000
5
Signal Energy Constructors
6
Chattanooga
TN
2005
115
691.600
331.000
6
Rosendin Electric
7
San Jose
CA
1919
4,500
798.000
319.000
7
Swinerton Renewable Energy
8
San Francisco
CA
1888
1,729
657.000
318.000
8
Amec Foster Wheeler
9
Atlanta
GA
1946
40,000
595.000
287.000
9
Cupertino Electric
10
San Jose
CA
1954
2,190
940.000
280.500
10
E Light Electric Services
12
Englewood
CO
1998
945
770.350
279.650
11
Alternative Energy Development
13
Fort Lee
NJ
2008
100
925.610
273.500
12
Strata Solar
14
Chapel Hill
NC
2008
176
544.000
250.000
13
CSI Electrical Contractors
15
Santa Fe Springs
CA
1990
700
575.700
214.000
UTILITY PROJECT SPOTLIGHT Mojave Solar Project, Signal Energy 50
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Utility list-feature 7-15_Vs6kp.indd 50
7 • 2015
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
Mojave Desert, California 80 MW
7/23/15 6:03 PM
UTILITY = EPC
5OO
TOP 25
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 14
McCarthy Building Cos.
17
St. Louis
MO
1864
1,300
211.500
133.000
15
NRG Energy (including NRG Renew & NRG Home Solar)
18
Princeton
NJ
1989
10,000
1,341.000
112.000
16
JE Dunn Construction
19
Kansas City
MO
1924
2,850
126.000
108.000
17
Renewable Energy Systems Americas
20
Broomfield
CO
1997
500
141.000
91.000
18
Gehrlicher Solar America
22
Springfield
NJ
2010
70
184.592
69.500
19
Moss Solar
23
Fort Lauderdale
FL
2004
430
331.890
63.000
20
FLS Energy
24
Asheville
NC
2006
60
175.000
63.000
21
S&C Electric Company
25
Chicago
IL
1911
2,500
132.200
63.000
22
Hanwha Q CELLS USA
26
Irvine
CA
1999
49
170.640
58.337
23
Quanta Power Generation
32
Greenwood Village
CO
2008
703
341.032
38.659
24
Alpha Energy
35
Phoenix
AZ
1976
2,000
200.000
35.000
25
DKD Electric
36
Albuquerque
NM
1978
120
95.800
32.800
Utility list-feature 7-15_Vs6kp.indd 51
7 • 2015
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5OO COMMERCIAL
TOP 50
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
When it comes to the long-term nature of solar arrays, how do you deal with the temporary nature of commercial businesses? To meet the needs of today’s dynamic businesses, REC Solar offers flexible solutions. With backing from Duke, one of the largest energy companies in the country, we offer financing that helps businesses save money right away on solar, with no money down. Our $225 million financing fund deploys PPAs specifically for businesses. Businesses pay only for the energy they use and retain the flexibility to move or transfer the PPA to a new tenant. This long-term flexibility has been critical to reduce risk for our customers and drive stronger solar adoption. REC will continue to roll out more business-centric financial packages to help the commercial market share in that success.
-Al Bucknam, CEO, REC Solar (No. 41 Overall) = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
HB White Canada
11
Brampton
Ontario
2005
500
408.000
280.000
2
Baker Electric Solar
21
Escondido
CA
2007
522
151.056
71.397
3
Borrego Solar
27
San Diego
CA
1980
120
161.998
51.204
4
Pro-Tech Energy Solutions
28
Moorestown
NJ
2008
32
100.489
46.000
5
Advanced Green Technologies
29
Fort Lauderdale
FL
2007
25
130.454
43.683
6
Sunstall
30
Novato
CA
2011
26
151.000
43.000
7
Cenergy Power
31
Carlsbad
CA
2008
45
107.500
39.500
8
A-C Electric Company (A-C Solar)
33
Bakersfield
CA
1945
200
87.000
37.400
9
SunRise Power
34
Peterborough
Ontario
2009
46
136.724
35.790
10
REC Solar
41
San Luis Obispo
CA
1997
156
139.820
28.842
11
Baja Construction
43
Martinez
CA
1981
100
100.000
25.846
12
M Bar C Construction
45
San Marcos
CA
2005
65
202.000
25.000
13
Baker Renewable Energy
46
Raleigh
NC
2009
30
80.000
24.000
14
Bombard Renewable Energy
47
Las Vegas
NV
1982
300
100.000
22.931
15
Greenskies Renewable Energy
48
Middletown
CT
2008
50
41.794
22.611
49
Boston
MA
2007
42
46.953
22.086
16 Nexamp
52
17
Clean Focus
50
Sunnyvale
CA
2008
20
40.000
22.000
18
Hannah Solar
53
Atlanta
GA
2008
30
46.900
20.000
19
Sun Ray Install
56
West Berlin
NJ
2011
26
56.660
16.400
20
PsomasFMG
57
Huntington Beach
CA
2009
25
42.230
16.160
21
Peck Solar
58
South Burlington
VT
1972
120
30.935
16.124
22
AES Distributed Energy
59
Boulder
CO
2009
32
249.058
15.500
23
Cantsink
60
Lilburn
GA
1988
50
61.000
15.000
24
GeoPeak Energy
63
Somerset
NJ
2009
28
50.000
14.000
25
Standard Solar
65
Rockville
MD
2004
55
47.143
13.149
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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COMMERCIAL
5OO
Dole Plantation, REC Solar
TOP 50
Wahiawa, Hawaii 187 kW
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
COMMERCIAL PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
= EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 26
Energy Systems & Installation
66
Jonestown
PA
2008
30
30.300
12.700
27
Renewable Assets
70
Richmond
VA
2009
32
42.800
11.500
28
Namaste Solar
72
Boulder
CO
2004
110
37.000
11.000
29
EnterSolar
74
New York City
NY
2006
17
17.300
10.500
30
Shorebreak Energy Developers
77
Irvine
CA
2010
65
35.000
10.000
31
Natural Power and Energy
79
Scottsdale
AZ
2008
7
37.439
9.984
32
Radiance Solar
80
Atlanta
GA
2007
32
40.037
9.558
33
Sun Valley Solar Solutions
82
Chandler
AZ
2006
94
25.800
9.200
34
Stellar Energy GP
83
Rohnert Park
CA
2006
30
34.080
9.032
35
Solect Energy Development
84
Hopkinton
MA
2009
34
14.500
8.900
36
Tecta Solar
85
Fort Washington
PA
2000
2,200
81.250
8.820
37
OnForce Solar
88
Bronx
NY
2008
100
24.600
8.600
38
Solar Power & Light
90
Miamisburg
OH
2010
20
15.000
8.000
39
Sustainable Energy Developments
91
Rochester
NY
2002
25
17.000
7.760
40
Bithenergy
94
Baltimore
MD
2009
28
29.000
7.000
41
SUNworks
97
Roseville
CA
2010
100
15.000
7.000
42
Oak Leaf Energy Partners
98
Denver
CO
2005
4
66.000
6.700
43
PermaCity Construction Corp
100
Santa Monica
CA
2003
15
42.000
6.600
44
SolBright Renewable Energy
101
Charleston
SC
2009
7
20.010
6.459
45
M.B. Herzog Electric
103
Paramount
CA
1974
150
24.000
6.280
46
Pickett Solar
104
Fresno
CA
1988
16
15.500
6.150
47
Freedom Solar Power
107
Austin
TX
2007
60
17.000
6.000
48
Got Electric
113
Gaithersburg
MD
2006
10
19.000
5.411
49
Resolute Performance Contracting
114
Tempe
AZ
2011
42
35.900
5.369
50
Ray Angelini
117
Sewell
NJ
1974
250
100.000
5.000
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5OO RESIDENTIAL
TOP 50
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
What could be the impact of affordable storage on the home-solar market? Over the course of the last 10 years we have seen tremendous improvements in the efficiency of solar modules and inverters as well as decrease in price; however, storage and its affordability weren’t feasible for most consumers. With improvements in technology, especially in the battery/storage sector, this option will be more mainstream and benefit not only the end-users but also utilities. In past years, it was not uncommon for Californians to have rolling brownouts, especially during summer months. With affordable storage, those homeowners would be able to maintain their quality of life and protect themselves from those issues.
-William Chen, COO, GCI Solar (No. 96 Overall) = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
SolarCity
3
2
Vivint Solar (now SunEdison)
3
San Mateo
CA
2006
10,000
1,100.000
502.000
16
Lehi
UT
2011
3,289
228.000
155.000
Sunnova
42
Houston
TX
2013
175
45.486
26.092
4
RGS Energy (Real Goods Solar)
54
Louisville
CO
1978
200
22.500
17.044
5
Solar Universe
55
Livermore
CA
2008
600
46.000
17.000
6
Bland Solar & Air
62
Bakersfield
CA
1985
55
62.870
14.220
7
Amergy Solar
67
Piscataway
NJ
2010
70
30.000
12.000
8
Smart Energy Solar
68
Corona
CA
2005
140
20.240
11.920
9
KDH Solar
69
New Orleans
LA
2011
27
25.600
11.600
10
Direct Energy Solar
71
Annapolis Junction
MD
2008
500
40.000
11.200
11
Horizon Solar Power
73
Hemet
CA
1998
540
15.260
10.670
12
PetersenDean Roofing and Solar
76
Fremont
CA
1984
4,000
100.000
10.000
13
Solar Source
86
Largo
FL
1984
45
92.804
8.688
14
Haleakala Solar
87
Kahului
HI
1977
180
63.284
8.632
15
Summerwind Solar
89
Phoenix
AZ
2009
26
44.550
8.440
16
Titan Solar Construction
92
Van Nuys
CA
2011
188
18.000
7.500
17
The Solar Company
93
Castro Valley
CA
2004
180
19.342
7.403
18
Solar Energy World
95
Elkridge
MD
2009
52
23.000
7.000
19
GCI Solar
96
Huntington Beach
CA
1986
130
22.000
7.000
20
Vision Solar
99
Provo
UT
2013
150
10.000
6.700
21
American Solar Direct
102
Los Angeles
CA
2009
400
23.278
6.452
22
Stellar Solar
105
Carlsbad
CA
1998
95
35.000
6.000
23
Solar Topps
106
Phoenix
AZ
2009
60
25.000
6.000
24
Hawaii Energy Connection
108
Honolulu
HI
2007
73
30.031
5.961
25
Sullivan Solar Power
109
San Diego
CA
2004
119
24.757
5.937
5 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD
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RESIDENTIAL
5OO
Murphy Residence, GCI Solar
TOP 50
Rancho Santa Fe, California 5.64 kW
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
RESIDENTIAL PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
= EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 26
Affordable Solar Installation
110
Albuquerque
NM
1998
100
15.000
5.800
27
SolarFlair Energy
111
Ashland
MA
2007
45
12.216
5.780
28
Rising Sun Solar & Electric
112
Haiku
HI
1986
200
11.000
5.500
29
Sun Solar Energy Solutions
115
Bakersfield
CA
2008
80
12.410
5.300
30
Fidelity Home Energy
116
San Diego
CA
1991
80
17.964
5.164
31
SunSmart Technologies
121
Gladstone
MO
2012
25
16.000
5.000
32
NRG Clean Power
123
Canoga Park
CA
1987
120
11.000
5.000
33
Positive Energy Solar
125
Santa Fe
NM
1997
75
11.222
4.965
34
Alternative Energy Systems
126
Chico
CA
2003
63
10.000
4.900
35
Boston Solar
127
Woburn
MA
2011
130
9.629
4.848
36
Revolve Solar
128
Austin
TX
2012
103
8.329
4.700
37
Clean Energy Collective
130
Louisville
CO
2009
106
12.730
4.503
38
Complete Solar Solutions of California
134
San Mateo
CA
2009
73
10.000
4.027
39
Solar Electrical Systems
135
Thousand Oaks
CA
1981
25
115.000
4.000
40
Milholland Electric
136
El Cajon
CA
1990
35
10.000
4.000
41
A1 Solar Power
137
Van Nuys
CA
1986
499
9.527
3.927
42
American Electric
139
Honolulu
HI
1946
185
13.300
3.900
43
Hawaii Energy Smart
140
Maui
HI
2009
8
8.400
3.900
44
Harmon Electric
141
Phoenix
AZ
1975
75
20.508
3.872
45
Enver Solar
142
Tustin
CA
2013
145
5.832
3.804
46
GRID Alternatives
144
Oakland
CA
2001
200
17.874
3.645
47
Sunpro Solar
146
Lacombe
LA
2007
42
5.381
3.520
48
Consolidated Solar Technologies
147
Albuquerque
NM
2008
51
25.000
3.500
49
Solaris Energy Solutions
148
Carolina
Puerto Rico
2014
110
3.500
3.500
50
Alternate Energy
149
Honolulu
HI
1993
80
273.359
3.446
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TOP 10
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
How has demand for off-grid solar changed in recent years? Most solar PV arrays installed in the past five years were grid-tied, without storage. Times are changing. Utilities are implementing time-of-use metering, meaning electric rates vary throughout the day. At the same time, storage equipment continues to increase in capacity and reliability, while coming down in price. As a result, 40% of the residential PV we installed last year included battery backup systems. Our locale does not have time-of-use metering yet, but homes here are prepared to go off-grid with solar and batteries during times of high energy cost. Every year we see a growing demand for off-grid and hybrid solar systems, and technology is keeping pace.
-Colin Williams, vice president, Mountain View Solar (No. 339 Overall) = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= DEVELOPER
=ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
Solar Electric Power Company (SEPCO)
250
Stuart
FL
1994
11
8.444
1.250
2
Belmont Solar
280
Gordonville
PA
2002
4
10.000
1.000
3
Sierra Solar Systems
285
Carson City
NV
2005
10
5.000
1.000
4
ZeroBase Energy
323
Ferndale
MI
2009
28
2.000
0.765
5
Mountain View Solar and Wind
339
Berkeley Springs
WV
2009
19
6.650
0.646
6
Simpler Solar Systems
343
Tallahassee
FL
1980
12
3.600
0.600
7
Thames Solar Electric
350
Denver
CO
1981
3
2.500
0.550
8
Greenwired
360
Redway
CA
2004
11
2.000
0.500
9
Mark Syder Electric
418
San Diego
CA
1976
25
10.500
0.300
10
Sunshine Solar Services
434
Fort Lauderdale
FL
2007
4
1.200
0.245
OFF-GRID PROJECT SPOTLIGHT Kletter Project, Mountain View Solar Charles Town, West Virginia 10.2 kW
56
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s a l e s @ o m c o fo r m .c o m
w w w.o m c o s o l a r.c o m
Over 4 GW of Steel Solar Mounting Structures Fabricated Roll Forming Stamping Fastener Insertion Custom Assembly
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How do you cut soft costs?
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
Cesena Residence
Alpine, California 10.8 kW
(Photo credit: Baker Electric Solar)
We have increased productivity and decreased soft costs with specific process improvements. First, we reduced customer cycle time by about 15%. We eliminated unnecessary sales process steps and re-sequenced others. We identified inefficiencies with an exhaustive two-day “value stream mapping” exercise with key staff. We also invested in exceptional labor and system designers. These extremely qualified designers draft systems that quickly move through the permitting process. Finally, constructability is key for the installation crew. We make sure plans are clear and accurate. Our well-trained crews also obtain all required project documentation while on site. This helps minimize back-end soft costs, as our administration team has exactly the documents they need to close out projects quickly and accurately.
- Mike Teresso, president, Baker Electric Solar (No. 21 Overall)
EPCs
TOP 50 SOLAR EPCS
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014
58
1
Mortenson Construction
2
Minneapolis
MN
1954
3,810
1,275.900
512.920
2
Helix Electric
5
Las Vegas
NV
1985
1,500
1,150.000
411.000
3
Signal Energy Constructors
6
Chattanooga
TN
2005
115
691.600
331.000
4
Rosendin Electric
7
San Jose
CA
1919
4,500
798.000
319.000
5
Swinerton Renewable Energy
8
San Francisco
CA
1888
1,729
657.000
318.000
6
Amec Foster Wheeler
9
Atlanta
GA
1946
40,000
595.000
287.000
7
Cupertino Electric
10
San Jose
CA
1954
2,190
940.000
280.500
8
HB White Canada
11
Brampton
Ontario
2005
500
408.000
280.000
9
Strata Solar
14
Chapel Hill
NC
2008
176
544.000
250.000
10
McCarthy Building Cos.
17
St. Louis
MO
1864
1,300
211.500
133.000
11
Renewable Energy Systems Americas
20
Broomfield
CO
1997
500
141.000
91.000
12
Baker Electric Solar
21
Escondido
CA
2007
522
151.056
71.397
13
Gehrlicher Solar America
22
Springfield
NJ
2010
70
184.592
69.500
14
S&C Electric Company
25
Chicago
IL
1911
2,500
132.200
63.000
15
Borrego Solar
27
San Diego
CA
1980
120
161.998
51.204
16
Pro-Tech Energy Solutions
28
Moorestown
NJ
2008
32
100.489
46.000
17
Advanced Green Technologies
29
Fort Lauderdale
FL
2007
25
130.454
43.683
18
Cenergy Power
31
Carlsbad
CA
2008
45
107.500
39.500
19
Quanta Power Generation
32
Greenwood Village
CO
2008
703
341.032
38.659
20
A-C Electric Company (A-C Solar)
33
Bakersfield
CA
1945
200
87.000
37.400
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EPCs
5OO
TOP 50 SOLAR EPCS
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 21
SunRise Power
34
Peterborough
22
Alpha Energy
35
23
The Conti Group
24
Ontario
2009
46
136.724
35.790
Phoenix
AZ
1976
2,000
200.000
35.000
38
Edison
NJ
1906
750
72.200
31.300
Inovateus Solar
44
South Bend
IN
2008
31
151.430
25.080
25
Baker Renewable Energy
46
Raleigh
NC
2009
30
80.000
24.000
26
Bombard Renewable Energy
47
Las Vegas
NV
1982
300
100.000
22.931
27
American Helios Constructors
51
Owings Mills
MD
2012
25
60.000
21.000
28
Hannah Solar
53
Atlanta
GA
2008
30
46.900
20.000
29
Peck Solar
58
South Burlington
VT
1972
120
30.935
16.124
30
GeoPeak Energy
63
Somerset
NJ
2009
28
50.000
14.000
31
Newkirk Electric Assoicates
64
Muskegon
MI
1961
425
98.331
13.200
32
Standard Solar
65
Rockville
MD
2004
55
47.143
13.149
33
Energy Systems & Installation
66
Jonestown
PA
2008
30
30.300
12.700
34
Renewable Assets
70
Richmond
VA
2009
32
42.800
11.500
35
Namaste Solar
72
Boulder
CO
2004
110
37.000
11.000
36
NOVA Consultants
78
Novi
MI
1992
50
25.000
10.000
37
Radiance Solar
80
Atlanta
GA
2007
32
40.037
9.558
38
Sun Valley Solar Solutions
82
Chandler
AZ
2006
94
25.800
9.200
39
Stellar Energy GP
83
Rohnert Park
CA
2006
30
34.080
9.032
40
Solect Energy Development
84
Hopkinton
MA
2009
34
14.500
8.900
41
Tecta Solar
85
Fort Washington
PA
2000
2,200
81.250
8.820
42
Solar Source
86
Largo
FL
1984
45
92.804
8.688
43
Haleakala Solar
87
Kahului
HI
1977
180
63.284
8.632
44
OnForce Solar
88
Bronx
NY
2008
100
24.600
8.600
45
Solar Power & Light
90
Miamisburg
OH
2010
20
15.000
8.000
46
Titan Solar Construction
92
Van Nuys
CA
2011
188
18.000
7.500
47
The Solar Company
93
Castro Valley
CA
2004
180
19.342
7.403
48
GCI Solar
96
Huntington Beach
CA
1986
130
22.000
7.000
49
PermaCity Construction Corp
100
Santa Monica
CA
2003
15
42.000
6.600
50
SolBright Renewable Energy
101
Charleston
SC
2009
7
20.010
6.459
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How is financing influencing PV adoption?
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
North Brunswick Target
North Brunswick, New Jersey 658.8 kW
(Photo credit: Greenskies Renewable Energy)
Third-party financing for PV has opened the market to opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t have been there through traditional purchasing programs. This provides the developer an opportunity to work with site hosts and help create the best suited financial program that works best for all parties. These financing options, along with federal, state and utility incentives, help to make PV adoption a much easier process.
- Michael Silvestrini, President, Greenskies Renewable Energy (No. 48 Overall)
DEVELOPERS
TOP 50 SOLAR DEVELOPERS
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014
62
1
First Solar
1
2
Vivint Solar (now SunEdison)
3
Tempe
CA
1999
6,060
3,881.333
1,023.130
16
Lehi
UT
2011
3,289
228.000
155.000
NRG Energy (including NRG Renew & NRG Home Solar)
18
Princeton
NJ
1989
10,000
1,341.000
112.000
4
FLS Energy
24
Asheville
NC
2006
60
175.000
63.000
5
Hanwha Q CELLS USA
26
Irvine
CA
1999
49
170.640
58.337
6
NARENCO
39
Charlotte
NC
2009
22
47.000
31.000
7
REC Solar
41
San Luis Obispo
CA
1997
156
139.820
28.842
8
Sunnova
42
Houston
TX
2013
175
45.486
26.092
9
Greenskies Renewable Energy
48
Middletown
CT
2008
50
41.794
22.611
10
Nexamp
49
Boston
MA
2007
42
46.953
22.086
11
Clean Focus
50
Sunnyvale
CA
2008
20
40.000
22.000
12
RGS Energy (Real Goods Solar)
54
Louisville
CO
1978
200
22.500
17.044
13
PsomasFMG
57
Huntington Beach
CA
2009
25
42.230
16.160
14
AES Distributed Energy
59
Boulder
CO
2009
32
249.058
15.500
15
Amergy Solar
67
Piscataway
NJ
2010
70
30.000
12.000
16
EnterSolar
74
New York City
NY
2006
17
17.300
10.500
17
Carolina Solar Energy
75
Durham
NC
2007
4
76.000
10.400
18
Shorebreak Energy Developers
77
Irvine
CA
2010
65
35.000
10.000
19
Natural Power and Energy
79
Scottsdale
AZ
2008
7
37.439
9.984
20
Sustainable Energy Developments
91
Rochester
NY
2002
25
17.000
7.760
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5OO
TOP 50 SOLAR DEVELOPERS
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 21
Bithenergy
94
Baltimore
MD
2009
28
29.000
7.000
22
Oak Leaf Energy Partners
98
Denver
CO
2005
4
66.000
6.700
23
Vision Solar
99
Provo
UT
2013
150
10.000
6.700
24
Island Pacific Energy
120
Honolulu
HI
2007
13
30.000
5.000
25
Clean Energy Collective
130
Louisville
CO
2009
106
12.730
4.503
26
GEM Energy
133
Walbridge
OH
2009
10
13.500
4.100
27
Enver Solar
142
Tustin
CA
2013
145
5.832
3.804
28
SunVest Solar
145
Pewaukee
WI
2009
5
8.500
3.524
29
Monolith Solar Associates
152
Albany
NY
2009
56
11.500
3.250
30
O3 Energy Solutions
156
Dallas
TX
2011
7
7.200
3.100
31
OneRoof Energy
168
San Diego
CA
2011
108
11.087
2.865
32
Renewable Energy Massachusetts
175
Cambridge
MA
2010
2
11.000
2.500
33
Missouri Sun Solar
198
Houston
MO
2012
25
6.365
2.065
34
Air Wind & Solar
221
Stephenville
TX
2010
35
8.000
1.750
35
Sky High Energy
222
Phoenix
AZ
2009
18
6.750
1.750
36
RER Energy Group
231
Reading
PA
2009
15
8.600
1.500
37
Vis Solis
255
Franklin
TE
2010
5
11.000
1.200
38
Belmont Solar
280
Gordonville
PA
2002
4
10.000
1.000
39
Nu Energy Solutions
281
Sylvania
OH
1998
18
10.000
1.000
40
Northern Pacific Power Systems
283
Santa Rosa
CA
2010
15
8.000
1.000
41
Kingspan Energy
286
Jessup
MD
2009
4
4.000
1.000
42
CM Solar Electric
289
San Diego
CA
1999
15
2.000
1.000
43
Bella Energy
294
Louisville
CO
2005
13
12.470
0.957
44
Ace LLC Solar
296
Pulaski
TN
2009
15
1.693
0.918
45
ZeroBase Energy
323
Ferndale
MI
2009
28
2.000
0.765
46
Novel Energy
346
Rochester
MN
2012
15
0.800
0.600
47
Sunlight Solar Energy
357
Bend
OR
1988
47
4.000
0.500
48
ReNu Energy Solutions
376
Charlotte
NC
2010
18
1.325
0.436
49
SRI Energy (Srinergy)
416
Novi
MI
2010
6
1.600
0.307
50
Carbon Vision
417
Shaker Heights
OH
2010
5
3.075
0.305
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How do you market solar to homeowners?
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
Residential Installation
Bakersfield, California 11.2 kW
(Photo credit: Bland Solar & Air)
As utility rates increase annually over the years, the cost of solar decreases, so year after year, going solar keeps yielding a better ROI. To reach our customers, we run TV and radio advertisements while attending home shows and trade shows for branding opportunities. However, our biggest asset for marketing is our state-of-the-art showroom. It’s a one-stop shop for anyone to come in and get a hands-on learning opportunity to better understand solar as a technology and financial investment. We don’t do any door-to-door selling or telemarketing. We are a firm believer in the “no hassle” sale and encourage homeowners to come talk to us on their time, not us talking to them on ours.
- Glenn Bland, CEO and president of Bland Solar & Air (No. 62 Overall)
ROOFTOP
TOP 100 ROOFTOP CONTRACTORS
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
SolarCity
3
San Mateo
CA
2006
10,000
1,100.000
502.000
2
Solar Universe
55
Livermore
CA
2008
600
46.000
17.000
3
Bland Solar & Air
62
Bakersfield
CA
1985
55
62.870
14.220
4
Smart Energy Solar
68
Corona
CA
2005
140
20.240
11.920
5
KDH Solar
69
New Orleans
LA
2011
27
25.600
11.600
6
Direct Energy Solar
71
Annapolis Junction
MD
2008
500
40.000
11.200
7
Horizon Solar Power
73
Hemet
CA
1998
540
15.260
10.670
8
PetersenDean Roofing and Solar
76
Fremont
CA
1984
4,000
100.000
10.000
9
Summerwind Solar
89
Phoenix
AZ
2009
26
44.550
8.440
10
Solar Energy World
95
Elkridge
MD
2009
52
23.000
7.000
11
American Solar Direct
102
Los Angeles
CA
2009
400
23.278
6.452
12
Stellar Solar
105
Carlsbad
CA
1998
95
35.000
6.000
13
Sullivan Solar Power
109
San Diego
CA
2004
119
24.757
5.937
14
Sun Solar Energy Solutions
115
Bakersfield
CA
2008
80
12.410
5.300
15
NRG Clean Power
123
Canoga Park
CA
1987
120
11.000
5.000
16
Revolve Solar
128
Austin
TX
2012
103
8.329
4.700
17
South Coast Solar
131
New Orleans
LA
2007
42
25.000
4.400
18
Complete Solar Solutions of California
134
San Mateo
CA
2009
73
10.000
4.027
19
Milholland Electric
136
El Cajon
CA
1990
35
10.000
4.000
20
A1 Solar Power
137
Van Nuys
CA
1986
499
9.527
3.927
6 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD
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TOP 100 ROOFTOP CONTRACTORS
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 21
Harmon Electric
141
Phoenix
AZ
1975
75
20.508
3.872
22
Renova Solar
159
Palm Desert
CA
2006
101
6.750
3.000
23
Maui Solar Project
161
Kahului
HI
2008
18
5.000
3.000
24
ReVision Energy
165
Portland
ME
2003
81
10.000
2.900
25
EcoMark Solar
169
Denver
CO
2010
70
4.343
2.793
26
SUNation Solar Systems
171
Oakdale
NY
2003
55
12.699
2.684
27
Lifestyle Solar
180
Fresno
CA
2008
40
6.400
2.400
28
Arise Solar
183
Clovis
CA
2007
50
8.221
2.263
29
Sunline Energy
184
San Diego
CA
2011
48
8.650
2.250
30
EmPower Solar
185
Island Park
NY
2003
70
11.300
2.213
31
American Solar & Roofing
186
Scottsdale
AZ
2001
58
29.300
2.200
32
Intermountain Wind and Solar
193
Salt Lake City
UT
2008
80
9.500
2.100
33
Robco Electric
196
Las Vegas
NV
1997
49
4.300
2.100
34
SunHarvest Solar
202
Phoenix
AZ
2009
30
13.100
2.000
35
JEH Solar
203
Lafayette
LA
2009
8
10.000
2.000
36
SunFusion Solar
204
San Diego
CA
2010
30
9.280
2.000
37
Solar Solution
205
Washington
DC
2009
23
7.000
2.000
38
West Coast Solar
207
Brentwood
CA
2007
30
5.000
2.000
39
Nova West Solar
209
Fresno
CA
2005
22
7.677
1.927
40
Kopp Electric Company
210
Toms River
NJ
1994
40
4.850
1.900
41
A1A Solar Contracting
212
Jacksonville
FL
2010
25
2.410
1.822
42
Sunpro Solar
213
Wildomar
CA
2008
60
6.056
1.817
43
Infinity Solar Systems
216
Pearl River
NY
2007
36
4.000
1.800
44
CIR Electrical Constrution Corp.
218
Buffalo
NY
1976
155
1.986
1.760
45
RevoluSun
220
Honolulu
HI
2009
40
57.000
1.750
46
Clean Solar
225
San Jose
CA
2007
36
5.534
1.600
47
Complete Energy Solutions
226
Elk River
MN
2009
8
4.600
1.600
48
Solare Energy
229
San Diego
CA
1989
30
4.258
1.537
49
Aztec Solar
233
Rancho Cordova
CA
1980
40
7.000
1.500
50
Cosmic Solar
234
Vista
CA
2005
14
7.000
1.500
51
Solarponics
236
Atascadero
CA
1975
35
5.000
1.500
52
Synergy Power
237
Midvale and Alpine
UT
1999
11
5.000
1.500
53
Valley Pro Electric
238
Phoenix
AZ
2009
12
5.000
1.500
54
Zing Solar
241
American Fork
UT
2007
75
2.000
1.500
55
A&R Solar
242
Seattle
WA
2007
26
2.859
1.453
56
Border Solar
243
El Paso
TX
2008
12
5.345
1.410
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ROOFTOP
TOP 100 ROOFTOP CONTRACTORS
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014
66
57
Sun First Solar
244
San Rafael
CA
1984
26
15.000
1.400
58
PEP Solar
246
Phoenix
AZ
1978
29
8.000
1.384
59
Artisan Electric
252
Seattle
WA
1997
26
3.000
1.250
60
Sol Reliable
256
Valley Village
CA
2008
50
6.000
1.200
61
Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort
258
Rancho Cordova
CA
1984
115
5.000
1.200
62
Greenbelt Solar
261
Austin
TX
2009
13
3.060
1.200
63
Highlight Solar
262
San Jose
CA
2011
11
3.000
1.200
64
Yes! Solar Solutions
265
Cary
NC
2009
24
3.000
1.150
65
Southern Energy Management
270
Morrisville
NC
2001
67
21.000
1.100
66
Puget Sound Solar
272
Seattle
WA
2001
35
4.459
1.097
67
Lighthouse Solar Hudson Valley
273
New Paltz
NY
2009
10
2.746
1.090
68
NC Solar Now
275
Raleigh
NC
2010
15
2.500
1.080
69
Skytech Solar
277
San Francisco
CA
2008
13
2.642
1.010
70
New Day Solar
278
Murrieta
CA
1997
14
6.703
1.003
71
Atlasta Solar Center (ASC)
279
Grand Junction
CO
1979
15
10.000
1.000
72
Arizona Solar Wave & Energy
284
Mesa
AZ
1999
4
5.000
1.000
73
Simply Solar Systems
290
Hamlin
NY
2010
6
1.800
1.000
74
Slingshot Power
291
Los Altos
CA
2012
36
1.200
1.000
75
Built Well Solar
293
Wantagh
NY
2001
16
6.990
0.990
76
Technicians for Sustainability
295
Tucson
AZ
2003
30
11.600
0.938
77
New England Clean Energy
301
Hudson
MA
2006
21
2.789
0.894
78
Kasselman Solar
303
Albany
NY
2014
30
3.000
0.875
79
You Save Green
304
Albertson
NY
2010
15
2.864
0.864
80
Sol-Up USA
307
Las Vegas
NV
2009
18
1.464
0.838
81
Texas Solar Outfitters
310
Houston
TX
2010
22
3.240
0.820
82
Capital City Solar
311
Roseville
CA
2002
25
7.000
0.800
83
Innovative Solar
312
Sun City
FL
1993
15
5.000
0.800
84
Eco Estates International
313
Austin
TX
2013
56
3.000
0.800
85
Solar Sales of Michigan
315
Davison
MI
2003
16
1.520
0.800
86
American Sentry Solar
317
Bel Air
MD
1993
40
1.849
0.799
87
IES Texas Solar
318
Stafford
TX
2014
5
2.000
0.795
88
Mass Renewables
322
Bellingham
MA
2009
7
3.170
0.770
89
Kenergy Solar
326
Washington
DC
2009
12
2.200
0.750
90
El Paso Green Energies
330
Colorado Springs
CO
2009
8
1.600
0.726
91
California Solar Electric Systems
332
Ojai
CA
2002
22
6.000
0.703
92
Western Solar
333
Bellingham
WA
2008
12
2.100
0.691
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TOP 100 ROOFTOP CONTRACTORS
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 93
Legend Solar
335
St. George
UT
2010
25
1.525
0.682
94
Independent Power Systems
340
Boulder
CO
1996
25
27.671
0.643
95
Potere Solar
341
Rancho Mirage
CA
2008
15
2.700
0.625
96
California Solar Electric
347
Grass Valley
CA
2000
14
3.686
0.594
97
Go Solar Group
349
Salt Lake City
UT
2011
16
1.325
0.575
98
Solar Service
352
Chicago
IL
1977
12
1.477
0.530
99
Energy Conservation Solutions
356
Mooresville
NC
2011
5
0.888
0.510
100
2K Solar
359
Middletown
NY
2007
6
2.000
0.500
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How do you build business relationships with solar developers and EPCs?
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
Rio Rancho Project
Rio Rancho, New Mexico 3.4 MW (Photo credit: Sunstall)
When we ask new clients how they found us, most often we hear that a past client referred them. To get referrals, you must deliver a high-quality service on time and on budget. It’s easy to be cheap, but if you put high quality over price, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, to become the valued partner of developers and EPCs. Even though we are a licensed electrician, we have always focused on the mechanical part of solar installation. Keeping a narrow focus has helped us build expertise beyond what our competitors can offer. Still, as new prospects enter the market all the time, it is key to communicate your value proposition on all channels.
- Helge Biernath, president and CEO, Sunstall (No. 30 Overall)
CONSTRUCTION
TOP 20 CONSTRUCTION FIRMS
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014
68
1
Arraycon
4
2
Alternative Energy Development
3
Sacramento
CA
2009
67
642.000
449.000
13
Fort Lee
NJ
2008
100
925.610
273.500
JE Dunn Construction
19
Kansas City
MO
1924
2,850
126.000
108.000
4
Moss Solar
23
Fort Lauderdale
FL
2004
430
331.890
63.000
5
Sunstall
30
Novato
CA
2011
26
151.000
43.000
6
AUI Contractors
40
Fort Worth
TX
1983
250
124.000
30.000
7
Baja Construction
43
Martinez
CA
1981
100
100.000
25.846
8
M Bar C Construction
45
San Marcos
CA
2005
65
202.000
25.000
9
Sun Ray Install
56
West Berlin
NJ
2011
26
56.660
16.400
10
Cantsink
60
Lilburn
GA
1988
50
61.000
15.000
11
J. Ranck Electric
61
Mt. Pleasant
MI
1986
200
30.040
14.900
12
Resolute Performance Contracting
114
Tempe
AZ
2011
42
35.900
5.369
13
German Energy Alternatives
124
London
Ontario
2004
25
7.500
5.000
14
CB Solar
167
Des Moines
IA
2013
10
4.290
2.880
15
Newport Power
187
San Clemente
CA
2008
9
11.200
2.200
16
Scudder Roofing Sun Energy Systems
232
Marina
CA
2007
15
7.500
1.500
17
Zia Suns Green Construction
240
Las Cruces
NM
2013
8
2.000
1.500
18
Zager Global
267
Deerfield Beach
FL
1989
32
2.649
1.133
19
Linear Solar
370
New Orleans
LA
2013
12
0.750
0.500
20
Green Earth Solar
403
Knoxville
TN
2010
8
1.867
0.347
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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How do you maintain knowledge on the latest solar codes?
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
CSI maintains an in-house electrical engineering staff that actively participates in on-going education as well as code-specific courses and discussion groups. Our lead engineers maintain their knowledge by attending local courses on the NEC that are led by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These courses cover both in-depth discussions on the code and insight into upcoming changes. In addition, our engineers participate in monthly meetings with the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI). These meetings help promote a better understanding of how the local inspectors view/interpret the code and give our team an opportunity to discuss these views directly with the AHJ representatives to ensure a smooth process for upcoming projects.
Kona Solar-Terra Ontario, California 1.97 MW
(Photo credit: CSI Electrical Contractors)
- Steve Watts, CEO, CSI Electrical Contractors (No. 15 Overall)
ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTORS
TOP 20 ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTORS
TOTAL MW OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
E Light Electric Services
12
Englewood
CO
1998
945
770.350
279.650
2
CSI Electrical Contractors
15
Santa Fe Springs
CA
1990
700
575.700
214.000
3
DKD Electric
36
Albuquerque
NM
1978
120
95.800
32.800
4
Riggs Distler & Company
37
Cherry Hill
NJ
1909
1,000
130.000
32.000
5
Watson Electrical Construction
52
Wilson
NC
1935
700
52.000
20.000
6
System 3
81
Carmichael
CA
2001
250
17.054
9.430
7
SUNworks
97
Roseville
CA
2010
100
15.000
7.000
8
M.B. Herzog Electric
103
Paramount
CA
1974
150
24.000
6.280
9
Got Electric
113
Gaithersburg
MD
2006
10
19.000
5.411
10
Granite State Solar
177
Boscawen
NH
2008
11
3.000
2.500
11
McWire Electric
179
El Cajon
CA
1999
45
8.000
2.400
12
Electric Distribution & Design Systems
191
Garland
TX
1976
6
4.600
2.200
13
American Solar Power
195
Glendale
CA
2009
34
5.500
2.100
14
Casey Electric
263
Tell City
IN
2000
10
1.500
1.200
15
NW Wind & Solar
288
Seattle
WA
1972
110
3.000
1.000
16
Pro Solar Hawaii
299
Kailua-Kona
HI
2003
6
3.300
0.900
17
YellowLite
353
Cleveland
OH
2009
9
1.165
0.524
18
PPC SOLAR
386
Taos
NM
1979
9
6.000
0.409
19
Gunn Electric
409
Pineville
LA
1954
22
1.612
0.329
20
Sawmill Solar Electric
444
Ridgecrest
CA
2010
3
0.500
0.200
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How do your PV and solar hot water specialties work together?
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
Rozman Residence
Encino, California 14-kW solar PV system, 650-sq. ft thermal solar for pool (Photo credit: Titan Solar Construction)
HOT WATER
Solar pool heating uses customizable solar panels (roof-, ground- and structure-mounted) to circulate water pumped from the pool through the panels to heat the water, and back to the pool again. Solar pool heating replaces natural gas (or electric power), and decreases reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels that produce carbon dioxide and accelerate global warming. A solar thermal pool heating system can warm pools and spas and extend customers’ swim season—all without utility heating costs. By collecting free heat from the sun and transferring it to a home’s water supply, a solar water heating system can significantly reduce or even eliminate customers’ water heating bills.
-Omar Melo, director of corporate strategy and development, Titan Solar Construction (No. 92 Overall)
TOP 25 SOLAR HOT WATER
2014 COMMERCIAL 2014 RESIDENTIAL OVERALL CITY RANK* COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES SOLAR HOT SOLAR HOT RANK WATER INSTALLS WATER INSTALLS 1
Solar Source
86
2
Superior Solar Systems
3
Haleakala Solar
4
Solar Trek
5
Largo
FL
1984
45
7
820
Altamonte Springs
FL
1984
27
7
421
Kahului
HI
1977
180
6
392
395
Ocala
FL
1981
20
6
390
Solar-Fit
449
Holly Hill
FL
1975
25
5
337
6
Aztec Solar
233
Rancho Cordova
CA
1980
40
12
220
7
Pro Solar Hawaii
299
Kailua-Kona
HI
2003
6
100
1
8
IQ Power
396
Sanford
FL
2009
25
0
193
9
Alternate Energy
149
Honolulu
HI
1993
80
1
180
10
Wayne's Solar
490
Ormond Beach
FL
1983
20
0
150
11
Solar Quest USA
486
Hollywood
FL
2009
10
15
100
12
Hawaii Energy Connection
108
Honolulu
HI
2007
73
0
117
172 87
* The 2015 solar hot water list was determined by number of residential and commercial projects installed in 2014, not by BTUs or kilowatts. Contractors received one point per residential hot water installation and two points per commercial installation.
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TOP 25 SOLAR HOT WATER
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
2014 COMMERCIAL 2014 RESIDENTIAL OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES SOLAR HOT SOLAR HOT RANK WATER INSTALLS WATER INSTALLS 13
ReVision Energy
165
Portland
ME
2003
81
9
74
14
Arizona Solar Wave & Energy
284
Mesa
AZ
1999
4
0
80
15
Innovative Solar
312
Sun City
FL
1993
15
0
80
16
American Sentry Solar
317
Bel Air
MD
1993
40
0
80
17
Solar Electrical Systems
135
Thousand Oaks
CA
1981
25
12
50
18
Renewable Energy
393
Timonium
MD
2002
35
4
53
19
Sun Light & Power
224
Berkeley
CA
1976
58
27
1
20
Titan Solar Construction
92
Van Nuys
CA
2011
188
5
40
21
Atlasta Solar Center (ASC)
279
Grand Junction
CO
1979
15
5
25
22
Baker Renewable Energy
46
Raleigh
NC
2009
30
8
16
23
ReNu Energy Solutions
376
Charlotte
NC
2010
18
0
29
24
NC Solar Now
275
Raleigh
NC
2010
15
0
25
25
Apex Solar Power
163
Queensbury
NY
2007
70
7
9
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8/7/15 10:41 AM
GO RED, GET GREEN!
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SMA America 7-15.indd 1
7/23/15 11:23 AM
Lists By State p.xx
5
OO
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS
BY STATE Each state has its own unique solar market, and the contractors on our list represent most of them. We’ve published the top 13 states from which our contractors applied, and we have highlighted a company in each one to see what they’re doing and what the rest of the industry can learn from them.
Recognizing local solar businesses doing the job right A&R Solar
Sustainable Energy Developments
Paradise Energy Solutions Pickett Solar
Vision Solar
AES Distributed Energy
SolarFlair Energy
Pro-Tech Energy Soutions Solar Energy World
Yes! Solar Solutions
Natural Power and Energy
Cenergy Power Sullivan Solar Power
Axium Solar
Florida Solar One
States Intro_Vs4kz.indd 1
7/23/15 7:27 PM
ARIZONA
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP 15 ARIZONA CONTRACTORS
How is your relationship with Arizona utilities? We have a dichotomous relationship with utilities: On the one hand, we work directly with excellent, professional people in their renewables and interconnection teams, but equally it is no secret that a number of policy initiatives advanced by Arizona’s utilities in recent years have been expressly anti-distributed generation. Whether competitive renewable energy providers serving to reduce the net energy use of consumers should in fact have the right to do so—an opinion we hold by our very existence— is a complex question that energy regulators across the country are going to have to adjudicate. Their decision will ultimately determine whether we see continued adoption of solar systems for homes and businesses, or whether utilitycontrolled solar farms are the sole opportunity for continued U.S. solar growth.
- Rob Dallal, CEO, Natural Power and Energy (No. 79 Overall)
2014 ARIZONA STATS • 394 solar companies • 9,200 solar jobs • 247 MW installed capacity • $624 million investment
74
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Arizona list-feature 7-15_Vs9kp.indd 74
7 • 2015
Kellond Elementary School Tucson, Arizona 279 kW
(Photo credit: Natural Power and Energy) = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER = ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
TOTAL MW TOTAL OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
Alpha Energy
35
Phoenix
1976
2,000
200.000
35.000
2
Natural Power and Energy
79
Scottsdale
2008
7
37.439
9.984
3
Sun Valley Solar Solutions
82
Chandler
2006
94
25.800
9.200
4
Summerwind Solar
89
Phoenix
2009
26
44.550
8.440
5
Solar Topps
106
Phoenix
2009
60
25.000
6.000
6
Resolute Performance Contracting
114
Tempe
2011
42
35.900
5.369
7
Harmon Electric
141
Phoenix
1975
75
20.508
3.872
8
Arizona Solar Solutions
166
Phoenix
2003
125
6.500
2.880
9
Empire Renewable Energy
174
Phoenix
2010
15
19.500
2.500
10
American Solar & Roofing
186
Scottsdale
2001
58
29.300
2.200
11
SunHarvest Solar
202
Phoenix
2009
30
13.100
2.000
12
Sky High Energy
222
Phoenix
2009
18
6.750
1.750
13
Valley Pro Electric
238
Phoenix
2009
12
5.000
1.500
14
PEP Solar
246
Phoenix
1978
29
8.000
1.384
15
SunRenu Solar
248
Scottsdale
2008
25
3.500
1.300
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/23/15 7:31 PM
CALIFORNIA
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP 50 CALIFORNIA CONTRACTORS
Why is the California agricultural market a good solar business opportunity?
Sundale Vineyards Tulare, California 1.130 MW
(Photo credit: Cenergy Power) = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER = ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
TOTAL MW TOTAL OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
First Solar
1
Tempe
1999
6,060
3,881.333 1,023.130
2
SolarCity
3
San Mateo
2006
10,000
1,100.000 502.000
3
Arraycon
4
Sacramento
2009
67
642.000
449.000
4
Rosendin Electric
7
San Jose
1919
4,500
798.000
319.000
5
Swinerton Renewable Energy
8
San Francisco 1888
1,729
657.000
318.000
6
Cupertino Electric
10
San Jose
1954
2,190
940.000
280.500
7
CSI Electrical Contractors
15
Santa Fe Springs
1990
700
575.700
214.000
8
Baker Electric Solar
21
Escondido
2007
522
151.056
71.397
9
Hanwha Q CELLS USA
26
Irvine
1999
49
170.640
58.337
10
Borrego Solar
27
San Diego
1980
120
161.998
51.204
11
Sunstall
30
Novato
2011
26
151.000
43.000
12
Cenergy Power
31
Carlsbad
2008
45
107.500
39.500
13
A-C Electric Company (A-C Solar)
33
Bakersfield
1945
200
87.000
37.400
14
REC Solar
41
San Luis Obispo
1997
156
139.820
28.842
15
Baja Construction
43
Martinez
1981
100
100.000
25.846
California list-feature 7-15_Vs6kp.indd 75
California’s agricultural market has proved to be recessionproof, growing 28% since 2008. Meanwhile, utility rates continue to rise. As of January 2015, PG&E charged a rate of $0.217 per kWh, an increase of 30.3% from 2008. Competitive financing options have continued to proliferate for California farms looking to go solar, with the cost of capital for solar loans and tax leases currently averaging between 4 to 6%. When all of these positive factors converge with heightened competition among solar integrators for a piece of the California agriculture market, more and more California growers will deservingly be the recipients of solar systems that offer very attractive utility savings.
- William Pham, CEO, Cenergy Power (No. 31 Overall)
2014 CALIFORNIA STATS • 2,226 solar companies • 54,700 solar jobs • 4,316 MW installed capacity • $11.773 billion investment
7 • 2015
SOLAR POWER WORLD
75
7/23/15 7:43 PM
CALIFORNIA
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP 50 CALIFORNIA CONTRACTORS
How will the drought in California impact the solar industry? The drought in California has forced agricultural operations to become more reliant on ground water, which must be pumped out of the ground with wells. In many cases these wells are going deeper and need large 200- to 400hp motors. This increased pumping has amplified their electric utility cost. The added utility cost coupled with the introduction of meter aggregation has spurred farmers’ interest in investing in solar projects. Meter aggregation allows farmers to install one large solar array that will produce kilowatt hour credits that are then applied to multiple meters in the adjacent area.
- Mike Pickett, president, Pickett Solar (No. 104 Overall)
76
SOLAR POWER WORLD
California list-feature 7-15_Vs6kp.indd 76
7 • 2015
Vander Woude Dairy Merced, California 1.1 MW
(Photo credit: Pickett Solar) = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER = ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
TOTAL MW TOTAL OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 16
M Bar C Construction
45
San Marcos
2005
65
202.000
25.000
17
Clean Focus
50
Sunnyvale
2008
20
40.000
22.000
18
Solar Universe
55
Livermore
2008
600
46.000
17.000
19
PsomasFMG
57
Huntington Beach
2009
25
42.230
16.160
20
Bland Solar & Air
62
Bakersfield
1985
55
62.870
14.220
21
Smart Energy Solar
68
Corona
2005
140
20.240
11.920
22
Horizon Solar Power
73
Hemet
1998
540
15.260
10.670
23
PetersenDean Roofing and Solar
76
Fremont
1984
4,000
100.000
10.000
24
Shorebreak Energy Developers
77
Irvine
2010
65
35.000
10.000
25
System 3
81
Carmichael
2001
250
17.054
9.430
26
Stellar Energy GP
83
Rohnert Park 2006
30
34.080
9.032
27
Titan Solar Construction
92
Van Nuys
2011
188
18.000
7.500
28
The Solar Company
93
Castro Valley 2004
180
19.342
7.403
29
GCI Solar
96
Huntington Beach
1986
130
22.000
7.000
30
SUNworks
97
Roseville
2010
100
15.000
7.000
31
PermaCity Construction Corp
100
Santa Monica 2003
15
42.000
6.600
32
American Solar Direct
102
Los Angeles
2009
400
23.278
6.452
33
M.B. Herzog Electric
103
Paramount
1974
150
24.000
6.280
34
Pickett Solar
104
Fresno
1988
16
15.500
6.150
35
Stellar Solar
105
Carlsbad
1998
95
35.000
6.000
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/23/15 7:43 PM
we’ve got you covered.
Standard and Custom Solar Support Designs
Design • Engineer Supply • Install Booth #5147
www.bajacarports.com Toll Free: 800.366.9600
Baja Construction 5-15_Vs7.indd 1
7/23/15 10:57 AM
CALIFORNIA
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP 50 CALIFORNIA CONTRACTORS
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Fisheries building San Diego, California 173 kW
(Photo credit: Sullivan Solar Power)
A slowdown in California home building has decreased new residential solar installations. How has this affected your solar business? Even with the slowdown, last year was still the best year for rooftop solar in California, and this year is far outpacing last year’s demand. There are two major incentives that are expiring: the current favorable net-metering arrangement with San Diego Gas & Electric, and the 30% federal tax credit. This is creating an urgency and pushing homeowners considering solar to adopt it this year. This means a solar gold rush in our local marketing in San Diego. We are looking to hire 40 new employees over the next two months to meet the continued increased demand for residential and commercial solar power in Southern California.
- Daniel Sullivan, president, Sullivan Solar Power (No. 109 Overall)
78
SOLAR POWER WORLD
California list-feature 7-15_Vs6kp.indd 78
7 • 2015
= EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER = ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
TOTAL MW TOTAL OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 36
Sullivan Solar Power
109
San Diego
2004
119
24.757
5.937
37
Sun Solar Energy Solutions
115
Bakersfield
2008
80
12.410
5.300
38
Fidelity Home Energy
116
San Diego
1991
80
17.964
5.164
39
So-Cal Solar
118
Lancaster
2005
50
50.000
5.000
40
Blue Oak Energy
119
Davis
2003
52
40.000
5.000
41
NRG Clean Power
123
Canoga Park 1987
120
11.000
5.000
42
Alternative Energy Systems
126
Chico
2003
63
10.000
4.900
43
Complete Solar Solutions of California
134
San Mateo
2009
73
10.000
4.027
44
Solar Electrical Systems
135
Thousand Oaks
1981
25
115.000
4.000
45
Milholland Electric
136
El Cajon
1990
35
10.000
4.000
46
A1 Solar Power
137
Van Nuys
1986
499
9.527
3.927
47
Enver Solar
142
Tustin
2013
145
5.832
3.804
48
GRID Alternatives
144
Oakland
2001
200
17.874
3.645
49
Vista Solar
150
Santa Clara
2008
20
10.216
3.369
50
Herca Solar
155
Oceanside
2004
35
17.300
3.100
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/23/15 7:48 PM
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COLORADO
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP 20 COLORADO CONTRACTORS
How have emerging industries in Colorado and other states changed your business? Continued cost declines in solar PV deployment, coupled with progressive policies enabling virtual and community net metering, present opportunities to increase the addressable market for distributed solar in the U.S. and abroad. Together with AES’ market leadership and experience with batterybased energy storage, we also see ways to participate in the behind-the-meter solar plus storage market—estimated to have an annual market value of over $1 billion by 2018. Evolving regulatory regimes in states such as New York and California are encouraging distributed energy services providers to work with utilities to meet customer needs for energy cost reduction, security of supply, convenience and control, and sustainability.
- Rob Masinter, COO, AES Distributed Energy (No. 59 Overall)
2014 COLORADO STATS • 387 solar companies • 4,200 solar jobs • 67 MW installed capacity • $212 million investment
80
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Colorado list-feature 7-15_Vs6kp.indd 80
7 • 2015
Campus Village Apartments Denver, Colorado 243 kW
(Photo credit: AES Distributed Energy) = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER = ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
TOTAL MW TOTAL OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
E Light Electric Services
12
Englewood
1998
945
770.350
279.650
2
Renewable Energy Systems Americas
20
Broomfield
1997
500
141.000
91.000
3
Quanta Power Generation
32
Greenwood Village
2008
703
341.032
38.659
4
RGS Energy (Real Goods Solar)
54
Louisville
1978
200
22.500
17.044
5
AES Distributed Energy
59
Boulder
2009
32
249.058
15.500
6
Namaste Solar
72
Boulder
2004
110
37.000
11.000
7
Oak Leaf Energy Partners
98
Denver
2005
4
66.000
6.700
8
Clean Energy Collective
130
Louisville
2009
106
12.730
4.503
9
EcoMark Solar
169
Denver
2010
70
4.343
2.793
10
Sunsense Solar
176
Carbondale
1990
15
7.300
2.500
11
Endurance Solar & Engineering
271
Boulder
2009
6
2.900
1.100
12
Atlasta Solar Center (ASC)
279
Grand Junction
1979
15
10.000
1.000
13
Bella Energy
294
Louisville
2005
13
12.470
0.957
14
Solarado Energy
329
Salida
1997
21
3.021
0.730
15
El Paso Green Energies
330
Colorado Springs
2009
8
1.600
0.726
16
Independent Power Systems
340
Boulder
1996
25
27.671
0.643
17
Thames Solar Electric
350
Denver
1981
3
2.500
0.550
18
Stellar Energy Contractors
388
Wheat Ridge 2008
30
1.300
0.400
19
Southard Solar & Construction
390
Denver
2008
12
1.100
0.400
20
Innovative Energy
392
Breckenridge 1992
10
2.000
0.370
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/23/15 7:50 PM
FLORIDA
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP 20 FLORIDA CONTRACTORS
Residential installation Hollywood, Florida 10.4 kW
(Photo credit: Florida Solar One)
Does the Florida solar rebate help or hinder the solar market? = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER = ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
TOTAL MW TOTAL OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
Moss Solar
23
Fort Lauderdale
2004
430
331.890
63.000
2
Advanced Green Technologies
29
Fort Lauderdale
2007
25
130.454
43.683
3
Solar Source
86
Largo
1984
45
92.804
8.688
4
Superior Solar Systems
172
Altamonte Springs
1984
27
77.595
2.653
5
A1A Solar Contracting
212
Jacksonville
2010
25
2.410
1.822
6
Alternative Energy Services
215
Sanford
2007
9
6.000
1.800
7
Solar Electric Power Company (SEPCO)
250
Stuart
1994
11
8.444
1.250
264
Orlando
2003
8
6.500
1.166
8 Solar-Ray 9
Zager Global
267
Deerfield Beach
1989
32
2.649
1.133
10
Solar Impact
297
Gainesville
2007
9
7.095
0.907
11
Innovative Solar
312
Sun City
1993
15
5.000
0.800
12
Florida Power Services
320
Tampa
2007
4
3.900
0.785
13
Simpler Solar Systems
343
Tallahassee
1980
12
3.600
0.600
14
Florida Solar One
345
Fort Lauderdale
2008
16
2.725
0.600
15
Power Production Management
358
Gainesville
2009
15
3.000
0.500
16
InSite Energy
367
Jacksonville
2012
10
1.000
0.500
17
Solar Trek
395
Ocala
1981
20
2.960
0.360
18
IQ Power
396
Sanford
2009
25
1.400
0.360
19
Peka solar And Renewable Energy
406
Naples
2011
22
12.000
0.338
20
Brilliant Harvest
415
Sarasota
2009
7
0.857
0.311
Florida list-feature 7-15_Vs7kp.indd 81
The bounty is plentiful for those lucky enough to win the rebate lottery for their customers, but the work is generally completed within a few months and then the phone stops ringing. Now that the rebate is over, the survivors will be those who invested in the future without a rebate. All in all, the rebate falls into the category of easycome-easy-go. Contractors who did not bank over the past five years are likely to not make it through the next couple of years with low electrical rates, no leasing options and very few people willing to accept decadelong payback periods. This spells a mostly cloudy forecasts for the Florida solar industry.
- Ray Johnson, president, Florida Solar One (No. 345 Overall)
2014 FLORIDA STATS • 398 solar companies • 4,800 solar jobs • 22 MW installed capacity • $63 million investment
7 • 2015
SOLAR POWER WORLD
81
7/23/15 8:00 PM
MARYLAND
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP 10 MARYLAND CONTRACTORS
Will new community solar bills expand solar interest in Maryland? We do not think new community solar will expand solar interest this year because the bill just recently passed (in May 2015), and there is no current method to implement community solar in Maryland. Once there is an effective mechanism in place, we do believe homeowner interest will expand for solar power in the Maryland region. That being said, we, along with many other Maryland-based companies, have shown very strong growth of solar deployment throughout the state of Maryland. We are confident that progress will continue to happen with or without community solar systems.
- Geoff Mirkin, Partner/ CEO, Solar Energy World (No. 95 Overall)
2014 MARYLAND STATS • 174 solar companies • 3,000 solar jobs • 73 MW installed capacity • $221 million investment
82
SOLAR POWER WORLD
Maryland list-feature 7-15_Vs6kp.indd 82
7 • 2015
Residence
Gaithersburg, Maryland 15.3 kW
(Photo credit: Solar Energy World) = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER = ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
TOTAL MW TOTAL OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
American Helios Constructors
51
Owings Mills 2012
25
60.000
21.000
2
Standard Solar
65
Rockville
2004
55
47.143
13.149
3
Direct Energy Solar
71
Annapolis Junction
2008
500
40.000
11.200
4
Bithenergy
94
Baltimore
2009
28
29.000
7.000
5
Solar Energy World
95
Elkridge
2009
52
23.000
7.000
6
Got Electric
113
Gaithersburg 2006
10
19.000
5.411
7
Kingspan Energy
286
Jessup
2009
4
4.000
1.000
8
Solargaines
292
Baltimore
2009
35
1.857
0.991
9
American Sentry Solar
317
Bel Air
1993
40
1.849
0.799
10
Ultra Solar & Wind Solutions
354
Ocean City
2010
4
2.100
0.520
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/23/15 7:59 PM
MASSACHUSETTS
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP 10 MASSACHUSETTS CONTRACTORS
How has business changed since Massachusetts’s rebate program ended recently?
Gois Broadcasting Solar Farm Ashland, Massachusetts 1.75 MW
(Photo credit: SolarFlair Energy) = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER = ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
TOTAL MW TOTAL OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
Nexamp
49
Boston
2007
42
46.953
22.086
2
Solect Energy Development
84
Hopkinton
2009
34
14.500
8.900
3
SolarFlair Energy
111
Ashland
2007
45
12.216
5.780
4
Boston Solar
127
Woburn
2011
130
9.629
4.848
5
Renewable Energy Massachusetts
175
Cambridge
2010
2
11.000
2.500
6
New England Clean Energy
301
Hudson
2006
21
2.789
0.894
7
Mass Renewables
322
Bellingham
2009
7
3.170
0.770
8
Southern Light Solar
368
New Bedford 2013
8
0.900
0.500
9
Second Generation Energy
399
Bellingham
2006
6
3.433
0.356
10
Brightstar Solar
400
Marlborough 2009
8
0.912
0.356
Massachusetts list-feature 7-15_Vs6kp.indd 83
The costs of residential solar continue to decrease and public awareness of homeowners continues to increase, thereby outweighing the reduction and eventual elimination of state rebates at the end of 2014. Much of the success of the Massachusetts residential market has been the promulgation of the Solarize Mass program model wherein targeted local communities organize grassroots efforts for the outreach and education of homeowners. We look forward to utilizing our years of Solarize marketing and sales experience, including the lessons we learned, to continue to grow our share of the Massachusetts residential solar market.
- Matt Arner, President, SolarFlair Energy (No. 111 Overall)
2014 MASSACHUSETTS STATS • 377 solar companies • 9,400 solar jobs • 308 MW installed capacity • $791 million investment
7 • 2015
SOLAR POWER WORLD
83
7/23/15 8:06 PM
NEW JERSEY
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP 20 NEW JERSEY CONTRACTORS
How competitive is the solar businesses in New Jersey? More than 500 solar companies call New Jersey home, making it a mature and extremely competitive environment for EPC firms. Public sector projects are awarded based on a competitive RFP process where price is the deciding factor. On large-scale grid projects, we’ve watched the install price drop below $1.80 per watt. Rooftop solar installations are well below $2 per watt. This is a precipitous drop from a year or two ago when installed prices were $2.50 to $3 per watt. This competition requires us to embrace new system designs and products. Of course, this competition only enhances the value of solar to the end-user, as more efficient, reliable and well-designed systems come online.
- Rich Cooper, president, Pro-Tech Energy Solutions (No. 28 Overall)
2014 NEW JERSEY STATS • 513 solar companies • 7,200 solar jobs • 240 MW installed capacity • $591 million investment
8 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD
New Jersey list-feature 7-15_Vs6kp.indd 84
7 • 2015
Rock Solid
Howell Township, New Jersey 9.9 MW
(Photo credit: Pro-Tech Energy Solutions) = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER = ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
TOTAL MW TOTAL OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
Alternative Energy Development
13
Fort Lee
2008
100
925.610
2
NRG Energy (including NRG Renew & NRG Home Solar)
18
Princeton
1989
10,000
1,341.000 112.000
3
Gehrlicher Solar America
22
Springfield
2010
70
184.592
69.500
4
Pro-Tech Energy Solutions
28
Moorestown 2008
32
100.489
46.000
5
Riggs Distler & Company
37
Cherry Hill
1909
1,000
130.000
32.000
6
The Conti Group
38
Edison
1906
750
72.200
31.300
7
Sun Ray Install
56
West Berlin
2011
26
56.660
16.400
8
GeoPeak Energy
63
Somerset
2009
28
50.000
14.000
9
Amergy Solar
67
Piscataway
2010
70
30.000
12.000
10
Ray Angelini
117
Sewell
1974
250
100.000
5.000
11
Sea Bright Solar
151
Ocean
2003
65
8.500
3.265
12
Pfister Energy
154
Hawthorne
2005
27
30.000
3.200
13
Vanguard Energy Partners
157
Somerville
2008
35
61.000
3.000
14
Independence Solar
182
Cherry Hill
2007
6
17.300
2.300
15
RWD Consultants
201
Camden
2004
14
15.000
2.000
16
Kopp Electric Company
210
Toms River
1994
40
4.850
1.900
17
Solis Partners
230
Sea Girt
2009
15
13.500
1.500
18
Geoscape Solar
305
Livingston
2008
35
4.000
0.850
19
Green Power Energy
324
Annandale
2009
15
3.000
0.750
20
PowerLutions Solar
373
Lakewood
2006
15
4.000
0.480
273.500
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/23/15 8:08 PM
NEW YORK
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP 15 NEW YORK CONTRACTORS
WilliamSun Solar Field
How has the streamlining of solar programs into NYSUN impacted your business?
Williamson, New York 1.5 MW
(Photo credit: SED, John Trout)
= EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER = ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
TOTAL MW TOTAL OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
EnterSolar
74
New York City 2006
17
17.300
10.500
2
OnForce Solar
88
Bronx
2008
100
24.600
8.600
3
Sustainable Energy Developments
91
Rochester
2002
25
17.000
7.760
4
Monolith Solar Associates
152
Albany
2009
56
11.500
3.250
5
Apex Solar Power
163
Queensbury
2007
70
44.200
2.923
6
SUNation Solar Systems
171
Oakdale
2003
55
12.699
2.684
7
EmPower Solar
185
Island Park
2003
70
11.300
2.213
8
Infinity Solar Systems
216
Pearl River
2007
36
4.000
1.800
9
New York State Solar Farm (NYSSF)
217
Modena
2007
30
2.900
1.800
10
CIR Electrical Constrution Corp.
218
Buffalo
1976
155
1.986
1.760
11
Lighthouse Solar Hudson Valley
273
New Paltz
2009
10
2.746
1.090
12
Simply Solar Systems
290
Hamlin
2010
6
1.800
1.000
13
Built Well Solar
293
Wantagh
2001
16
6.990
0.990
14
Kasselman Solar
303
Albany
2014
30
3.000
0.875
15
You Save Green
304
Albertson
2010
15
2.864
0.864
New York list-feature 7-15_Vs6kp.indd 85
The NY-SUN program has been instrumental in allowing Sustainable Energy Developments (SED) to grow. Western New York has a strong presence of small, locally owned businesses and the program, combined with effective pricing and finance tools, has significantly increased our sales and given those business owners a financially sound option to add renewables. With the release of funds for projects greater than 200 kW, we see the construction space as our biggest growth from a megawatt-installed perspective. While SED is a national company and will continue to be so, it has always been our goal to bring economically and environmentally sound projects to our local community, and NY-SUN has allowed us to do just that.
- Kevin Schulte, CEO/ Founder, Sustainable Energy Developments (No. 91 Overall)
2014 NEW YORK STATS • 545 solar companies • 7,300 solar jobs • 147 MW installed capacity • $451 million investment
7 • 2015
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NORTH CAROLINA
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP 15 NORTH CAROLINA CONTRACTORS
How does North Carolina’s allowance for monopoly status for utilities and prohibition of thirdparty sales affect the growth of solar? To date, our company’s growth has been supported mainly by the Renewable Portfolio Standard and the 35% Renewable Energy Tax credit in North Carolina. However, as we look for future growth opportunities in our company, the ability to offer our clients competitively priced, longterm electricity rates through third-party sales of solar energy offers tremendous potential. Like in many other states, the citizens of North Carolina want options for where and from whom they purchase their energy. Allowing qualified companies to compete with the utilities by providing clean, renewable solar energy at stable prices will offer a very desirable alternative for nonprofits, municipalities and many citizens in the state.
- Stew Miller, co-founder and president, Yes! Solar Solutions (No. 265 Overall)
2014 NORTH CAROLINA STATS • 177 solar companies • 5,600 solar jobs • 397 MW installed capacity • $652 million investment
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North Carolina list-feature 7-15_Vs6kp.indd 86
7 • 2015
Gartner residence Durham, North Carolina 6 kW
(Photo credit: YES! Solar Solutions) = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER = ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
TOTAL MW TOTAL OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
Strata Solar
14
Chapel Hill
2008
176
544.000
250.000
2
FLS Energy
24
Asheville
2006
60
175.000
63.000
3
NARENCO
39
Charlotte
2009
22
47.000
31.000
4
Baker Renewable Energy
46
Raleigh
2009
30
80.000
24.000
5
Watson Electrical Construction
52
Wilson
1935
700
52.000
20.000
6
Carolina Solar Energy
75
Durham
2007
4
76.000
10.400
7
Yes! Solar Solutions
265
Cary
2009
24
3.000
1.150
8
Southern Energy Management
270
Morrisville
2001
67
21.000
1.100
9
NC Solar Now
275
Raleigh
2010
15
2.500
1.080
10
Energy Conservation Solutions
356
Mooresville
2011
5
0.888
0.510
11
Cape Fear Solar Systems
362
Wilmington
2007
12
1.625
0.500
12
ReNu Energy Solutions
376
Charlotte
2010
18
1.325
0.436
13
Green State Power
443
Greensboro
2008
4
1.100
0.200
14
Accelerate Solar
457
Charlotte
2012
12
0.315
0.147
15
Sun Dollar Energy
463
Raleigh
2011
3
0.325
0.135
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/24/15 6:59 AM
PENNSYLVANIA
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP 10 PENNSYLVANIA CONTRACTORS
S&C Operations
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania 69.3 kW
(Photo credit: Paradise Energy Solutions)
How has the natural gas industry impacted solar in Pennsylvania?
= EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER = ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
TOTAL MW TOTAL OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
Energy Systems & Installation
66
Jonestown
2
Tecta Solar
85
3
Paradise Energy Solutions
4
2008
30
30.300
12.700
Fort Washington 2000
2,200
81.250
8.820
143
Gap
2009
50
11.670
3.760
RER Energy Group
231
Reading
2009
15
8.600
1.500
5
Belmont Solar
280
Gordonville
2002
4
10.000
1.000
6
SolareAmerica
282
Malvern
2010
5
10.000
1.000
7
Pinnacle Exteriors
321
Allentown
2010
12
1.235
0.777
8
Solar States
369
Philadelphia
2008
10
0.850
0.500
9
Energy Independent Solutions (EIS Solar)
372
Pittsburgh
2008
12
2.796
0.483
10
Exact Solar
410
Yardley
2005
4
0.727
0.327
Pennsylvania list-feature 7-15_Vs7kp.indd 87
The impact has been mostly positive, although indirect. Experts say natural gas could bring volatility to electricity prices. That’s good for us, as solar pricing is stable in the long term. And according to EIA, natural gas prices tend to increase over time. Solar, meanwhile, is an inflation-proof investment. Natural gas has also put money in some rural landowners’ pockets, allowing them to finance the purchase of a solar array, which provides savings to them in the long term. On the negative side, the natural gas industry has convinced the public that it will solve all of its energy needs— that’s wrong. The legislature tends to focus on natural gas as our “energy answer,” as well.
- Tim Beiler, CEO, Paradise Energy Solutions (No. 143 Overall)
2014 PENNSYLVANIA STATS • 476 solar companies • 2,800 solar jobs • 10 MW installed capacity • $27 million investment
7 • 2015
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TEXAS
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP 20 TEXAS CONTRACTORS
With wind and other clean sources of energy playing a dominant role in Texas, how do you get people excited about solar? The exciting part of our work at Axium Solar is that most people we talk to are already excited about solar. People who live in Texas know that we have a great solar resource. They want to find a way to harness that abundant, clean energy from the sun to achieve their energy and environmental goals. Texans see solar energy as a way to achieve responsible energy independence and mitigate the risk of rising energy costs. Our real mission is not to generate excitement but to make solar accessible by deploying the right technology at the right price.
- K. Eric Cotney, vice president of sales and marketing, Axium Solar (No. 188 Overall)
2014 TEXAS STATS • 404 solar companies • 7,000 solar jobs • 129 MW installed capacity • $252 million investment
88
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Texas list-feature 7-15_Vs6kp.indd 88
7 • 2015
Lee Elementary Coppell, Texas 358 kW
(Photo credit: Axium Solar) = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER = ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
TOTAL MW TOTAL OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
AUI Contractors
40
Fort Worth
1983
250
124.000
30.000
2
Sunnova
42
Houston
2013
175
45.486
26.092
3
Freedom Solar Power
107
Austin
2007
60
17.000
6.000
4
Revolve Solar
128
Austin
2012
103
8.329
4.700
5
Meridian Solar
138
Austin
1999
25
40.000
3.900
6
O3 Energy Solutions
156
Dallas
2011
7
7.200
3.100
7
American Made Solar & Wind
158
Brownsville
2005
50
56.000
3.000
8
Longhorn Solar
173
Austin
2009
40
5.775
2.549
9
Axium Solar
188
Plano
2008
30
9.400
2.200
10
Electric Distribution & Design Systems
191
Garland
1976
6
4.600
2.200
11
NATiVE
192
Austin
2007
50
10.500
2.100
12
Lighthouse Solar Texas
194
Austin
2007
35
5.900
2.100
13
Air Wind & Solar
221
Stephenville
2010
35
8.000
1.750
14
Border Solar
243
El Paso
2008
12
5.345
1.410
15
Greenbelt Solar
261
Austin
2009
13
3.060
1.200
16
Global Efficient Energy
300
Fort Worth
2011
282
3.000
0.900
17
Texas Solar Outfitters
310
Houston
2010
22
3.240
0.820
18
Eco Estates International
313
Austin
2013
56
3.000
0.800
19
IES Texas Solar
318
Stafford
2014
5
2.000
0.795
20
Texas Solar Power Company
351
Austin
1996
16
8.000
0.530
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/24/15 7:13 AM
UTAH
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP 10 UTAH CONTRACTORS
Why are more Utah residents going solar?
Rino Tinto Stadium Sandy, Utah 340.2 kW
(Photo credit: Auric Solar) = EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER = ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
TOTAL MW TOTAL OVERALL CITY RANK COMPANY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
Vivint Solar (now SunEdison)
16
Lehi
2011
3,289
228.000
155.000
2
Vision Solar
99
Provo
2013
150
10.000
6.700
3
Suncrest Solar
162
Salt Late City 2013
200
5.000
3.000
4
Auric Solar
189
Midvale
2010
26
7.010
2.200
5
Intermountain Wind and Solar
193
Salt Lake City 2008
80
9.500
2.100
6
Synergy Power
237
Midvale and Alpine
1999
11
5.000
1.500
7
Zing Solar
241
American Fork 2007
75
2.000
1.500
8
Sunlight Solar Systems
259
Salt Lake City 2008
10
5.000
1.200
9
Legend Solar
335
St. George
2010
25
1.525
0.682
10
Go Solar Group
349
Salt Lake City 2011
16
1.325
0.575
Utah list-feature 7-15_Vs6kp.indd 89
The nation’s seventh sunniest state is largely an untapped solar resource. Still, 3,000 Utah homeowners have switched to solar. When people see solar panels on their neighbor’s roof, they want them, too. But beyond that, power rates continue to climb, pushing homeowners to look for alternatives. We’ve also seen a 50% drop in solar installation cost this decade. When lower costs are coupled with federal and state tax incentives (the Utah residential solar tax credit is $2,000), solar becomes very appealing. When it gets hot in Utah, we’re conditioned to think, “If I want to save money, I have to turn off the air conditioning.” That’s not true. We educate homeowners about real ways to save.
- David Rasmussen, CEO, Vision Solar (No. 99 Overall)
2014 UTAH STATS • 68 solar companies • 1,500 solar jobs • 10 MW installed capacity • $31 million investment
7 • 2015
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WASHINGTON
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP 10 WASHINGTON CONTRACTORS
How do you market solar to homeowners in a notoriously cloudy state? Our solar resource is actually better than Germany’s. Thanks to our state utilities’ netmetering programs our long summer days can build energy credits, which can be offset during the winter. Solar energy systems keep on working on cloudy days too, collecting scattered light and focusing it into power. Washington’s solar production incentive program allows many homeowners to pay off the cost of their systems within several years of purchase. A&R Solar clients often refer to “doing the right thing” as one of their top reasons for installing a solar energy system. If our solar system doesn’t generate as much energy on cloudy days, that’s OK—we still know we’re helping to protect our natural resources.
-Reeves Clippard, CEO, A&R Solar (No. 242 Overall)
2014 WASHINGTON STATS • 131 solar companies • 2,400 solar jobs • 14 MW installed capacity • $48 million investment
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Washington list-feature 7-15_Vs6kp.indd 90
7 • 2015
First Hill Streetcar Seattle, Washington 4.2 kW (Photo credit: A&R Solar)
= EPC
= CONSTRUCTION FIRM
= ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR
= DEVELOPER
= NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR
= SOLAR HOT WATER = ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR
TOTAL MW TOTAL OVERALL RANK COMPANY CITY FOUNDED EMPLOYEES INSTALLED INSTALLED RANK MW 2014 1
A&R Solar
242
Seattle
2007
26
2.859
1.453
2
Sunergy Systems
251
Seattle
2005
20
4.700
1.250
3
Artisan Electric
252
Seattle
1997
26
3.000
1.250
4
Puget Sound Solar
272
Seattle
2001
35
4.459
1.097
5
NW Wind & Solar
288
Seattle
1972
110
3.000
1.000
6
Western Solar
333
Bellingham
2008
12
2.100
0.691
7
Cost Less Energy
336
Yakima
1979
19
1.885
0.665
8
Solora Solar
389
Yakima
2011
5
1.200
0.400
9
South Sound Solar
397
Olympia
2007
14
1.100
0.360
10
GC SOLAR
430
Bellevue
1992
6
1.650
0.250
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/24/15 7:20 AM
Lists By State p.xx
5
OO
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS
ACROSS AMERICA The nation's top solar contractors work from coast to coast. Join us as we tour the country, hearing stories about successful solar businesses.
Just remember to pack your sunscreen and beach towel.
Sunergy Systems Cost Less Energy
True South Solar
Mortenson Construction
CIR Electric
Solect Energy
Innovative Power Systems Windfree
Green State Power Ambassador Energy
RevoluSun IQ Power
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7/24/15 7:24 AM
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
Knowing your customers takes communication and research Fostering customer relationships is critical to maintaining business. Mortenson takes this seriously, even incorporating customer service into its mission statement. We spoke with Trent Mostaert, vice president and general manager of solar at Mortenson Construction (No. 2) to find out how his company gets to know its customers’ needs. How has your relationship with customers been important to Mortenson’s success? Our company’s mission is to create an exceptional customer service experience. I believe that’s the No. 1 factor that’s helped us grow. Last year 100% of our solar projects were from repeat customers. We don’t work with a lot of customers, but we stay focused on those we do and delivering an exceptional experience. We take time to understand their business and how we can add value to their projects. 92
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7 • 2015
How do you understand the needs of your customers in solar? Our project team is consistently in contact with them. On a higher level, we set up quarterly business reviews with our clients to understand where they’re trying to go and how we can help them get there, as well as maintain our alignment. Also, each Mortenson businesses does research, from healthcare to sports. Solar is no exception. We did a large survey at Solar Power International, one of the industry’s largest trade shows, to help us understand the industry now and gain some insight into what’s to come. We also
publish what we learn, which helps our customers and others in the industry stay ahead of trends and get out in front of big industry issues. You’re still publishing the results, but what are some of the things you’ve learned so far? We’ve gained insight into how the industry is reacting to the phasing out of incentives and dealing with interconnection issues. We also compare survey data with past ones we’ve conducted. One thing that’s consistent is grid parity; we’re right where we should be. SPW
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
7/24/15 9:09 AM
5OO
The 2015 TopSolar
CONTRACTORS
contractors across america
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA
Four-man company looks to utility-scale work Will Stewart was a general contractor and his brother-in-law (Tilden Hagan) had studied electrical engineering before they opened Green State Power (No. 444) in 2008. The company, now up to four people, has built 1.1 MW of solar total and 200 kW last year. Green State Power is small, but it has big aspirations. Stewart said it aims to break into utility-scale solar construction, but there's just one problem. “Some of the big guys in North Carolina were in it years ahead of us. Some had contacts in the industry, some came over from Europe,” Stewart said. “The long and short of it is, we were a little late in the game.” North Carolina attracted large companies from across the globe with its 35% tax credit for solar projects. “Investors won't hire you if you haven't built a utility-scale project, and you can't build one until someone hires you,” Stewart said. "It's the chicken and the egg problem." Not to be deterred and unflinchingly realistic, Stewart admitted that he simply wasn’t going to be hired to build a utility-scale project, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t eventually develop and build one himself. By working with investors and other
EPCs, Green State Power has been able to work as subcontractor and co-EPC on projects, building the portfolio necessary to do its own utility-scale EPC work. In the meantime, Stewart has been busy developing his own projects, getting them teed up to sell, directing his own role on the project. “What we’re doing is selling a fully developed project and working under another EPC so we can get that experience on our resume,” Stewart said. A fully developed project includes all the details, such as interconnection paperwork, environmental studies, permitting and even paying the interconnection fee, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. When all the details are in order, it’s ready for financing from a tax equity investor. “There is no way a larger developer is going to call us, so we’re building relationships with the investor, who will agree to finance one project,” Stewart said. “They will have an inside knowledge on our role in the project, and hopefully they will have more comfort with us in the future.” Green State Power is in the final stages of closing a sale on its first developed project, a 6.7-MWdc array in Bladen County, North Carolina. SPW
We’re building relationships with the investor.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Overcoming a major obstacle Even the most prepared installation companies never expect to replace an entire portfolio of products. Sunergy Systems experienced this pain when nearly every inverter failed on its newly installed residential systems in the Seattle area. Company founder Howard Lamb explains how the company reacted, survived and reached No. 251 on our list this year.
What happened? Some inverters were immediate failures, others happened three months into operation. We were right on top of it, getting in touch with the inverter manufacturer (an established power electronics company that had added a solar division). They were doing a lot of
Regions_7-15_Vs8kpkzsb.indd 93
reacting on the fly as they came out with multiple software fixes. We would go to the other houses that were doing OK and perform the firmware upgrade. Through this whole process, you fix one thing and then it would shine the spotlight on another issue. It finally came to the point where that company ended up doing a complete recall. We had to work out arrangements with a different manufacturer to replace all of the inverters. We spent almost half a year trying to work with this one company to finally
7 • 2015
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7/24/15 9:14 AM
5OO 2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
(continued)
A Breakthrough in PV Mounting Technology The Revolutionary S-5-PV Kit • Non-penetrating DirectAttach™ PV mounting solution for standing seam metal roofs. • Fits the majority of solar panels on the market. • Standard grab fits field conditions; new EdgeGrab™ further simplifies end conditions. • S-5!® attachment clamps and brackets fit almost all rails and metal roof profiles on the market, including trapezoidal. • SST mounting disk is ETL-1703 and UL-2703 listed for module-to-module conductivity. • Reduces cost by eliminating the need for inter-module copper wires and lug bonding. • Savings in time and materials is often sufficient to pay for the entire attachment system.
Connect with us! @S5_TheRightWay
/S5TheRightWay
To find out more, visit www.S-5-Solar.com/May2015SPW or call 888-825-3432.
get a reliable product, then we spent another half a year where we went to every customer's location and just replaced the inverter completely. We had been experiencing about 20 to 25% growth every year. We were spending so much time focusing on the problem that we saw zero growth that year. How did the customers react? They were really concerned that their inverters were failing, but they were also feeling relieved that we were constantly in communication with them. We had an immediate response; we let them know we were on top of this. It was just an inconvenience to the customer. There was no charge to them. For customers that had their systems down for a longer period of time, we compensated them for any loss of utility savings. We had to bear a lot of the brunt of it. Right now, we probably get 30% of our business from referrals, and a lot of those people who are referring customers were part of that inverter replacement process. They trust us because we stuck with it all the way through. What did you learn from the situation? Once bitten, twice shy. Now we're very hesitant with new products. If it's a new product and there's a customer who requests it, we have to decide internally if we still want to follow through or let the customer go to another installer in the area that feels comfortable with it. It's a challenge with the microinverters. The thought of having a new, non-long-term field tested product up on the roof and underneath the solar array—after the experience we went through—is very scary. You don’t know what's going to happen eight years from now. We're definitely a lot more hesitant when there's a new product that comes out. This experience could have sunk a lot of installation companies. We did the best we could to take care of our customers. SPW
9 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD
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7 • 2015
7/24/15 9:15 AM
5OO
The 2015 TopSolar
CONTRACTORS
contractors across america
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
SANFORD, FLORIDA
Expanding into PV without incentives Back when IQ Power (No. 396) formed in Florida in 2007, solar PV wasn't even on its radar as an install option. The state had no solar incentives, and there were no PPAs available. So the company focused on solar hot water systems and has installed 1,840 units since its founding.
Over the years, IQ Power added solar pools, solar attic fans and other renewable energy products to its offering, but the company never ventured into PV. Solar technology itself was more expensive, and solar thermal was a lot easier to sell, said owner Ivy Gilbert.
It was an $8,000 investment versus a $30,000 investment for PV. But times change. In 2012, spurred by the commotion surrounding PV elsewhere in the country, Gilbert put a solar PV system with battery backup on her own house. She had made a habit of using her house as a test center for the products she sold, making sure she only offered products she believed in. “I was extremely happy with the result,” Gilbert said. “I saw the results on the electric bill, and I wanted technology that would help me during hurricanes when the grid wasn’t offering energy. I have been able to use that on several occasions.” Now solar pricing has dropped low enough that customers can get a
877-859-3947 info@ecofastensolar.com
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good ROI without incentives, especially in the sunshine state. In response, IQ Power has changed its business model. Where 70% of its business two years ago was solar thermal, it’s now 70% photovoltaics, said general manager Lloyd Notley. With the addition of PV, the company has had to adjust its sales process, said Notley. With solar PV came new time frames for sales people and new technology for installers. A solar hot water system could be sold and installed within a week, but a PV system can take several weeks to a month. Installers who were fluent in plumbing now had to work with electric cables. “It was a pretty hard transition,” Notley said. “We really had to put ourselves into it and understand what we were getting into.” The other major difference between now and just a few years ago: education. “Other states are endorsing PV so much that the word is starting to spread,” Gilbert said. “Because word is spreading, and people want to reduce their consumption and dependency on utilities, we’re out there educating the public. With education comes knowledge, and with knowledge comes good decisions toward solar for our clients." SPW
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MURRIETA, CALIFORNIA
Contractor hires a valuable workforce Ambassador Energy (No. 190) isn’t the largest solar installer (21 employees and 2.2 MW installed last year), but the Murrieta, California-based residential EPC is making a big difference to some very deserving Americans. Military veterans make up the majority of Ambassador’s staff and President Kelly Smith said she couldn’t be more pleased. “I wish we were bigger so we could help more people,” she said. “If you think about the military, you’ve got logistics, you’ve got people out there doing the hard part and working in inclement conditions—all the things that make them a really good solar installer.” Ambassador Energy was first introduced to the high-quality workmanship of veterans through its separate NABCEP training and testing division. The company offers solar education for everyone—even competing solar contractors. The Veteran Asset (TVA), a non-profit looking to help military veterans find careers in the renewable energy sector, approached Ambassador Energy for training, and Smith said she wanted to immediately take advantage of their talents on Ambassador Energy’s own installation crew. She cites veterans’ discipline, respect and standard operating procedures (SOPs) as welcome additions to the company. “They’re very used to their standard operating procedures. We’ve adapted
Ambassador Energy’s military veteran installers are distinguished by their American flag-themed hard hats.
transformed our warehouse.” Each of Ambassador Energy’s 11 hired veterans started as installers, and many have been promoted in a short amount of time. Smith said most advancement in the industry comes from within, and military veterans have the skillsets to work their way up the solar ladder. “If you look at all the different service branches, there’s going to be a high number of people who are physical. The solar industry is pretty physical,” Smith said. “A very large percentage of the military is the people with boots on the ground, and in solar we need a lot of boots on the ground. Many times their talents far exceed just panel passing.” While hiring capable installers has been a priority industrywide, the need for good sales teams is just as crucial. Smith said previous military recruiters are perfect for those positions.
She also said service members often have a lot of experience with “office work,” whether it’s designing through AutoCAD or completing administrative tasks. “I’ve seen the inside of places like Camp Pendleton, and I see the jobs they do there. It’s run like a business,” Smith said. “There’s an admin, keeping calendars. There are people at desks pushing papers around. We [in solar] have all this admin stuff—there are rebates, NEMs (net energy metering), all this administrative work. The things they’re doing in the military, they could easily do for a company in solar.” When looking for future employees, Smith said military veterans will be at the top of Ambassador Energy’s call list. It’s also been great to be a beta test for TVA and its project of getting veterans hired in renewable energy jobs. “As business owners, we can definitely say that this works,” Smith said. “These guys really are great, and this is what has happened to us and why you, other solar companies, should hire them too. It’s been a wonderful thing.” SPW
These guys really are great, and this is what has happened to us and why you, other solar companies, should hire them too. It’s been a wonderful thing. to try and help them work within our organization better,” Smith said. “If they don’t see an SOP in place, we’ve encouraged them to write one. They’ve
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Solect Energy employees gather at their Hopkinton, Mass., headquarters in May for a Sun-Safety Training session in conjunction with The Melanoma Foundation of New England.
HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Partnership encourages safe work under the sun Massachusetts-based Solect Energy (No. 84) founder and CEO Ken Driscoll discusses the company’s unlikely partnership with the Melanoma Foundation of New England (MFNE). How did you come to partner with the MFNE? Our partnership with the Melanoma Foundation of New England was quite serendipitous. The foundation was looking for a location to host their Boston Marathon runners, and we were looking for a charitable organization that we could help and give back. We also happened to be based in Hopkinton, which is where the marathon starts. It was this coincidental engagement that has grown into a partnership to help each other educate about the power of the sun.
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More companies are investing in the health of their employees. Why do it? Our people are our greatest asset. Solect strongly believes in a “people, planet, profit” philosophy. The people part of that means taking care of our employees, customers and partners. We’re committed to our employees and to building a culture of excellence through creating a work environment that inspires healthy habits, innovation and teamwork. What are some practical health tips for solar installers? The following is a list of tips that we give employees prior to working and encourage them to practice: • Keep your shirt on. • Wear a hat with a brim or a flap
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
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that covers the ears and back of the neck. Wear sunglasses with a UV protection (both UVA and UVB light) rating of 100%. Stay in the shade whenever possible, during your breaks and especially at lunch time. Use a high factor sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on any exposed skin. Reapply sunscreen every two hours. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Schedule an annual skin exam with a dermatologist. Check your skin regularly for any unusual moles or spots. See a doctor promptly if you see anything that is changing in shape, size or color, itching or bleeding. SPW
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2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA
Finding longevity in local solar Eric Pasi, vice president of business development at Innovative Power Systems (No. 239), has been with the company for nearly eight years, since he graduated from the University of Minnesota. But the St. Paul company goes back much further. Pasi explained how Ralph Jacobson founded IPS in 1991 with a goal to help customers save money and lead the local transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable power. “Minnesota spends about $20 billion each year to import coal, gas and oil,” Pasi explained. “We believe the state should invest that money locally into construction and infrastructure that benefits our local economy. Since I joined IPS, it’s been exciting to watch solar develop into a full-fledged industry to help achieve that.” After 24 years and over 700 projects, IPS has played a major role in bringing renewable energy to Minnesota and the upper Midwest area. Jacobson was recently honored by the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA) with its first lifetime achievement award (named after Jacobson) for his longterm commitment to renewable energy and the solar industry. He’s worked with legislators, regulators and utilities to craft renewable energy policy. By doing so, he’s created opportunities in solar for himself and others. Pasi explained that Minnesota is relatively progressive—the first state to enact a net-metering policy in the early 1980s. By 2020 Xcel Energy must generate 31.5% of its power from solar, while other investor-owned utilities in the state must hit 26.5%. Xcel has been a strong proponent of solar and renewables in the state, carrying expertise from its experience in New Mexico and Colorado. Minnesota’s rebate program in the 2000s and the 2013 Solar Jobs Act have also helped spur the industry. “Governor Mark Dayton is extremely committed to renewables,” Pasi said. “There was a recent push by the state house to try and repeal some solar
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legislation, and he stood strong and vetoed that part of the energy bill so solar didn’t lose ground.” A recent poll from the Minnesota Environmental Partnership also found strong public support in the state for renewables. About 90% of residents support renewable energy and solar specifically, Pasi said. Other than state support, Pasi attributes the company’s longevity to its perseverance through lean times and creativity. “We’ve developed innovative financing programs for homeowners, businesses and non-profits to help them move forward with projects they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to take on,” he said. “We’re leading with our experience, contacts and existing customers, which is a huge asset for us,” Pasi added. “We’ve stayed committed to solar PV in a market where it wasn’t all that popular five or ten years ago.” IPS also works closely with other hometown solar companies such as panel manufacturer tenKsolar. Even when it’s challenging, Pasi said he enjoys the business. “I like sharing my passion, whether it’s with the people I’ve been in touch with for years or new faces,” he said. “I enjoy both the economics and stewardship aspects of solar, and seeing those resonate with customers too. I’m excited about the future of solar in Minnesota and the United States.” SPW
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YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
Staying ahead of the curve for success
Cost Less Energy (No. 336) has been in business in Yakima, Washington, for 36 years, consistently staying ahead of the curve. It hopped from one emerging industry to the next before confidently settling into solar a decade ago. Manager Don Mills said early adopters have been key to business as his company (originally known as Sights and Sounds) moved from installing cable television in 1979 to cell phones in the ‘90s and finally renewable energy today. “We started off before most people in our area heard of cable TV,” he said. “We started by giving people something they wanted. A lot of times, it’s an early adopter thing—just people who wanted it or will pay a little more for it.” Yakima is located near the center of Washington state, so often Mills’ storefront was the nearest place to find these futuristic technologies. He kept a stock of VCRs, beta players, cell phones and more for anyone interested. Since the store was the go-to spot for the latest technology trends, customers would come in with suggestions on products, and that’s how Cost Less Energy was introduced to energy efficiency products and renewable energy. Biodiesel was the company’s first major undertaking. “We stocked and sold that, had some really good results,” Mills said. “People would come into our store to do their biodiesel class or buy their biodiesel processor, and they’d look around and ask if we had solar panels. After a few people asked about it—of course early adopters— here we are selling solar panels.”
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Business transformed in the ‘90s to “anything that could save people money on their energy bill,” and Mills said today about 90% of Cost Less Energy’s sales comes from solar. Its storefront also helps gain customers, as it is one of the only places in the region where people can come in and see major brands of solar products and systems up close. “[Staying ahead of the curve] has been our forte. It’s been really fun,” Mills said. “We’ve got a lot of wonderful customers that would bring ideas to us. We just took off with it. We’ve been doing solar longer than anything. It’s gone from early adopter to mainstream, and that’s what we really like.” Originally installing maybe one system a month, Cost Less Energy has graduated to one or more a week and expects to hit the commercial market this year. Even if the ITC drops at the end of 2016, Mills said he’s not worried about business slowing down. “We think we might be in sort of an early adopter phase again,” he said. “People need to be reacquainted with something that might cost a little more, but there are benefits over time. Because that has been our modus operandi for 36 years, we’re not worried about it.” SPW
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ASHLAND, OREGON
Even small businesses should get political SEIA has long urged contractors to lobby their local governments and help keep solar on the upswing. Oregon contractor True South Solar (No. 385) was among the companies to answer. True South Solar joined others in the state’s solar organization (OSEIA) this year to propose four solar bills, ranging from extending Oregon’s feed-in-tariff and renewable energy tax credit to recommending community solar. Unfortunately, the bills were defeated, but Eric Hansen, general manager of True South Solar, said they learned a lot and are ready to start the next battle. “[Solar installers have] been the beneficiaries of preexisting tax credits
and incentives, and we’ve been able to build our businesses around them over the last five years or so,” Hansen said. “Now it’s really important to get more involved. We saw a great effort [in Oregon]. If nothing else, we learned a lot. We really circled the wagons and flushed out a lot of key players and built a lot of relationships that now we need to develop further. Now it’s just systematically implementing new plans that’ll bring a lot better results.” Hansen said a successful social media campaign for solar in Oregon really brought everyone together as a state. While the bills didn’t pass, it was great to see how power increased with numbers.
True South Solar cofounders Eric Hansen (left) and Shawn Schreiner (right) on the steps of the Oregon State Capitol in Salem on April 15, 2015, for Solar Lobby Day.
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”I really think our jobs depend on it,” Hansen said of lobbying. “Staying in touch with our representatives is huge, especially if we have to negotiate with utility rate increases or demand charges or anything that could kill small-scale solar. We have to have those relationships before we come to the table. We know that we’re up
small contractor wouldn’t allocate at least part of a staffer’s position toward policy. We all need to be involved. It needs to be something in our workday. The earlier, the better.” SPW
money and power. We need the power of the people, which is ultimately greater than the money and the power that the utility companies have.” Allocating resources to lobbying is important, even for a small contractor, Hansen said. He estimates he personally spends 15% of his time helping with legislative work with OSEIA, and True South Solar plans to make a bigger contribution this year and in the future. All contractors should try to help in some way—even if it’s just stuffing envelopes. “Five years ago I read about a company in Boulder, Colorado, that had a dedicated policy member of their staff. It seemed crazy to me to be able to have the resources to do that,” Hansen said. “Now it seems crazy to me that even a
We need the power of the people, which is ultimately greater than the money and the power that the utility companies have. against a lot of money and power, and it’s going to take a grassroots effort. We’re not going to be able to win on
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BUFFALO, NEW YORK
Selling solar to skeptics within the company CIR Electric (No. 218) has worked with electricity for nearly 40 years. Recently it won a GM contract to power robots in a $1 billion engine factory overhaul. It has worked for Verizon installing backup generators at its facilities, among countless other commercial- and industrial-scale projects. But work with solar? Between the harsh Buffalo winters and an already successful business model, the idea was slow to take off, especially within a conservative
We were able to turn the naysayers within the company into solar yes-men.
company. Despite company-wide skepticism, CIR took a leap of faith into the solar market. It was up to CFO Jeff Pedro, renewable project coordinator Ashley Regan, business development manager Darin Harzewski and NABCEP-certified designer Tracy Almeter to convince colleagues and counterparts that solar was a sustainable business. There was risk involved, but CIR was already an established company, ready with labor, trucks and ongoing relationships with vendors. And, Almeter said, they already knew a lot about solar technology. “At a basic level, when you’re talking about a solar PV project, you’re talking about electricity,” Regan said. “No one thinks of it that way. [Union electricians] are laying conduit, they’re pulling
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CIR installed solar on 20 additional homes within a subdevelopment. More recently, CIR Electric worked with national solar installers as a subcontractor, including work on a 1.1-MW project for Bausch &
wire, they’re connecting back to the grid. All of that is electrical work.” The company’s first solar job
People didn’t understand the technology. They thought they would need batteries. They didn’t think they’d get money back from the utilities. was a 5-kW system on a net-zero home built by local organization People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH). Through an existing relationship with Natale Builders,
Lomb in Rochester, New York. “This project was truly an eyeopening experience within CIR,” Regan said. “We were able to turn the naysayers within the company
into solar yes-men.” Three CIR employees have added solar to their own houses, including electrician David Naus. He installed a 28-panel, 7.8-kW ground-mount system in his backyard last November. “A lot of people come over to my backyard and learn about it,” Naus said. “People didn’t understand the technology. They thought they would need batteries. They didn’t think they’d get money back from the utilities.” Naus’ latest electric bill was $17. He said Buffalo gets as much sun as Orlando, Florida, and the cool weather is better for solar technology. It sounds like he’s sold, and so are many other skeptics at CIR Electric. SPW
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Illinois Uber drivers powered by solar While electric vehicles don’t necessarily always rely on solar power, Chicago contractor Windfree (No. 338) often makes the two work hand-inhand. Working with its partner Green Wheels (an Illinois auto dealership that sells and leases electric vehicles), Windfree installs electric vehicle charging stations and usually customer conversations turn to solar. “More often than not if someone is putting in a charging station, they’re thinking about solar,” said Bryan Tillman, director of operations at Green Wheels. “They’re thinking, ‘How can I make my energy even cleaner?’” Tillman and his team have built relationships with Chicago municipalities that have decided to make their city vehicle fleets all electric. Green Wheels has even partnered with Uber to lease all-electric cars to local
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They’re thinking, ‘How can I make my energy even cleaner?’
drivers. While municipalities usually pay for electric charge stations, Green Wheels provides the charge stations for Uber drivers. They are reimbursed for the electricity drivers use through car lease payments. Green Wheels and Windfree have installed charge station areas all over Chicago, many at existing solar sites. Tillman said the public’s response has been more than what his team hoped for, and he sees it as a catalyst for both electric vehicles and the solar market. “There is expected to be thousands of people in our fleet of electric cars each year, so that’s thousands of impressions,” Tillman explained. “Curious passengers are having conversations with drivers about how they’re riding in an allelectric vehicle, often powered with electricity from solar. The drivers tell
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2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
us how amazed people are that these electric vehicles are running thousands of miles every year, just like their traditional cars, and how quiet they are. They see the availability of the charging stations around town and start to view electric vehicles as a possibility for them. Because of this, the Uber drivers who are going electric have had a good experience, and we anticipate their passengers will give them ratings as good as, if not better ratings than, the rest of the Uber drivers!” Tillman attributes increasing interest in electric vehicles and solar to a growing knowledge base of the importance of zero emission options, especially in city centers. “Municipalities and other organizations are starting to understand climate change and health impacts of poor air quality and realizing they need to show leadership in doing what’s best for society,” he said. SPW
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RevoluSun and Surfrider pitch tents at the cleanup with educational displays and free giveaways for volunteers throughout the day.
HONOLULU, HAWAII
Environmental stewardship goes beyond installing solar
The beaches of Hawaii are worldrenowned, but like all natural wonders they are subject to the harms of human impact. When Honolulu solar contractor RevoluSun (No. 220) saw trash collecting on a local beach, it stepped in to help. In 2009, just two weeks after opening its doors for business, it partnered with the Hawaii Surfrider Foundation to host a cleanup of Sandy Beach on Oahu’s east side. It was such a success, the partners have made it an annual July event. Each year, RevoluSun staff members and volunteers remove about 900 lbs of trash from the shoreline. This includes everything from plastic bags, polystyrene from packaging, fishing nets/rope, batteries and even smaller items like bottle caps, cigarette butts and microplastics. “Our goal is always to walk the walk of sustainability,” said Revolusun Chief Innovation Officer Eric Carlson. “We 110
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believe in being stewards of Hawaii’s environment, so not only do we provide solar power and smart home innovations, we strive to participate in as many community stewardship efforts like this as possible. This allows us to give back by physically getting dirty and being caretakers of this place we love so much. It allows our community and clientele to see that we don’t just sell renewable energy and talk about caring for the environment, we live that lifestyle.” RevoluSun provides free T-shirts and lunch to thank cleanup participants. Carlson said the time and expense of running the event is worth it. “Participating in something like this is part of our company philosophy of cleaner, smarter living,” he said. “It’s a way to connect personally with the more than 5,500 RevoluSun customers we have already connected to solar power. We don’t
RevoluSun donated a mobile sand-sifter for beach cleanup in 2013. The device can remove smaller items like microplastics, which have become a paramount issue in the marine environment, killing more than 100,000 mammals and 1 million birds every year.
look at this beach cleanup as an expense, but a way to give back.” The event is now in its sixth year. Each time, RevoluSun strives to improve organization so that more people can volunteer and more trash can be removed from Hawaii’s beautiful shoreline. SPW
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[AD INDEX]
2015 TO P S O L A R CO NT R AC TO R S
ABB...............................................................................31 APS America Corp.......................................................2 Arkema Inc. ............................................................... 47 Aurora Solar............................................................... 28 AXITEC, LLC..............................................................101 Backwoods Solar Electric Systems..................... 109 Baja Construction Co. Inc.......................................77 BayWa r. e. renewable energy GmbH...................18 Byson Electronics........................................................3 Campbell Scientific, Inc...........................................51 Chint Power Systems North America.................. 39 CohnReznick LLP...................................................... 11 Continental Control Systems, LLC........................17 DPW Solar.................................................................. 96 Dunkermotor, part of Ametek............................... 26 EagleView Technologies, Inc................................. 45 EcoFasten Solar........................................................ 95 Everest Solar Systems.............................................. 99 Exosun Inc................................................................. 67 HT Instruments Americas LLC................................13 ILSCO........................................................................ 104 Kipp & Zonen USA Inc...........................................100 M Bar C Construction, Inc.................................... 109 Magerack Corporation.......................................... 107 MidNite Solar, Inc....................................................... 6 Mounting Systems, Inc.............................................71
Moxa Americas, Inc.................................................. 37 NACE.......................................................................... 111 Nine Fasteners, Inc....................................................15 OMCO Solar.............................................................. 57 OutBack Power....................................................... 102 Quanta Power......................................................... 103 RBI Solar, Inc. / Renusol America........................... 9 Renewable NRG Systems....................................... 33 S-5!.............................................................................. 94 Seaward............................................ cover/corner, 43 SHOALS Technologies Group................................ 79 SMA America, LLC.................................................... 72 SnakeTray................................................................. 103 Solar Power International..................................... 106 SolarEdge Technologies Inc. ...................................5 SolarRoofHook.com / Quickscrews International Corp............................. 4 Solectria Renewables............................................. BC SunGrow.................................................................. IBC SunLink....................................................................... 24 SunModo Corp....................................................... 104 Swinerton Renewables......................................60, 61 Tamura Corporation of America......................... 107 TerraSmart................................................................IFC Travelers........................................................................7 Unirac Incorporated...................................................1
LEADERSHIP TEAM
SALES
112
VP Sales
Regional Sales Manager
Regional Sales Manager
Business Development
Publisher
EVP
Todd Tidmore
Tom Lazar
Courtney Seel
Michelle Flando
Mike Emich
Marshall Matheson
512.626.8263
408.701.7944
440.523.1685
440.381.9110
508.446.1823
805.895.3609
ttidmore@wtwhmedia.com
wtlazar@wtwhmedia.com
cseel@wtwhmedia.com
mflando@wtwhmedia.com
memich@wtwhmedia.com
mmatheson@wtwhmedia.com
@wtwh_ttidmore
@wtwh_Tom
@wtwh_CSeel
@mflando
@wtwh_memich
@mmatheson
Key Account Manager
Regional Sales Manager
Regional Sales Manager
Regional Sales Manager
Managing Director
Jim Powers
Neel Gleason
Jessica East
Megan Hollis
Scott McCafferty
312.925.7793
312.882.9867
330.319.1253
440.821.2941
310.279.3844
jpowers@wtwhmedia.com
ngleason@wtwhmedia.com
jeast@wtwhmedia.com
mhollis@wtwhmedia.com
smccafferty@wtwhmedia.com
@jpowers_media
@wtwh_ngleason
@wtwh_MsMedia
@wtwh_Megan
@SMMcCafferty
SOLAR POWER WORLD
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