Solar Power World July 2015

118

Click here to load reader

description

The 2015 Top 500 Solar Contractors in North America issue. Lists are broken down by market, segment and state, and include short features from companies across the country.

Transcript of Solar Power World July 2015

  • July 2015

    5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORSwww.solarpowerworldonline.com

    Wor

    k in S

    olar P

    V ins

    tallat

    ion o

    r O&M

    ?

    Get y

    our FREE

    guide

    to P

    V Te

    sting

    toda

    y at

    www.seawardsolar.com/SPW

    5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORSCover_July 2015_Vs6.indd 1 7/22/15 12:03 PM

  • RES IDENT IAL ,INVERTER SOLUT IONS FOR

    APPL I CAT IONS.

    AND

    C OMMERC IALUT I L I TY

    Inverter Solutions for every array size from the largest utility scale projects to the smallest residential projects

    Blueplanet 2.0-5.0 TL1 Four inverter sizes, with six option

    packages each

    Multiple communication options

    standard

    Advanced, lightweight materials to

    decrease installation time

    Blueplanet 32.0, 40.0 & 50.0 TL3 97.5% CEC efficiency

    One (M1) or three MPPT (M3)

    Compliant with NEC 690 section III

    75% lighter than comparably-sized

    inverters

    Integrated Power Station 1.1 to 2.0 Fully customizable

    Made in San Antonio, TX

    Ability to integrate any third-party

    SCADA communication protocols

    Ability to integrate into third party

    SCADA communications systems

    www.kaco-newenergy.com

    Kaco 5-15_Vs5.indd 1 5/26/15 1:51 PM

  • July 2015

    5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORSwww.solarpowerworldonline.com

    Wor

    k in S

    olar P

    V ins

    tallat

    ion o

    r O&M

    ?

    Get y

    our FREE

    guide

    to P

    V Te

    sting

    toda

    y at

    www.seawardsolar.com/SPW

    5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORSCover_July 2015_Vs6.indd 1 7/22/15 12:03 PM

  • Your Ground Mount. Accelerated.

    The quickest way to quote and buildyour next ground mount project.

    Ground Screws | Racking | Turn-Key Installation

    Express Quote Today - www.terrasmart.com

    TerraSmart 7-15.indd 1 7/23/15 11:26 AM

  • ROOF MOUNT i n t r o d u c e s t h e p o w e r o f s i m p l i c i t y t o t h e b a l l a s t e d f l a t r o o f s o l a r i n d u s t r y . T h e s y s t e m c o n s i s t s o f o n l y t w o m a j o r c o m p o n e n t s , m i n i m i z i n g

    p r e p a r a t i o n w o r k a n d i n s t a l l a t i o n t i m e . S e a m l e s s l y d e s i g n a r o u n d r o o f o b s t a c l e s ,

    s u p p o r t m o s t f r a m e d m o d u l e s a n d b o n d t h e s y s t e m w i t h j u s t t h e t u r n o f a w r e n c h .

    L E A R N M O R E - W W W . U N I R A C . C O M

    ROOF MOUNTRM

    FASTEST INSTALLATION IN THE INDUSTRYBALLASTED FLAT ROOF RACKING SYSTEM

    VISIT UNIRAC BOOTH #2900 SOLAR POWER INTERNATIONAL ANAHEIM, CA SEPT. 15-17, 2015

    AD - RM - 150629.PUB - SPW - Contractors Issue.indd 1 7/14/2015 11:06:16 PMUnirac 7-15.indd 1 7/23/15 11:27 AM

  • APS 7-15.indd 1 7/23/15 10:53 AM

  • Low Smoke Zero Halogen

    High strand count, multiple layer conductor structure for cable flexibility and ease of termination

    Consistent long term insulation resistance under severe wet condition

    Standard cable diameter to fit all major connectors

    Products with smaller cable diameter available to reduce cable weight and increase cable flexibility

    Electron-beam cross-linked

    Dual UL/TUV approval

    EN certified

    Products reliable for 25 years

    [email protected] | bysonelectronics.com

    PV Cable Manufacturer

    PRODUCT STRENGTH

    Byson_Electronics_Vs6.indd 105 7/23/15 11:00 AM

  • 5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORSTechnology Development Installation

    Follow the whole team on Twitter @SolarPowerWorld

    E D I T O R I A L S T A F F

    WTWH Media, LLC

    6555 Carnegie Avenue, Suite 300, Cleveland, OH 44103

    Ph: 888.543.2447 Fax: 888.543.2447

    SOLAR POWER WORLD does not pass judgment on subjects of controversy nor enter into disputes with or between any individuals or organizations.

    SOLAR POWER WORLD is also an independent forum for the expression of opinions relevant to industry issues.

    Letters to the editor and by-lined articles express the views of the author and not necessarily of the publisher or publication. Every effort is made to provide accurate information. However, the publisher

    assumes no responsibility for accuracy of submitted advertising and editorial information. Non-commissioned articles and news releases cannot be acknowledged. Unsolicited materials cannot be

    returned nor will this organization assume responsibility for their care.

    SOLAR POWER WORLD does not endorse any products, programs, or services of advertisers or editorial contributors. Copyright2015 by WTWH Media, LLC. No part of this publication may be

    reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, or by recording, or by any information storage or retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher.

    SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Free and controlled circulation to qualified subscribers. Non-qualified persons may subscribe at the following rates: U.S. and possessions, 1 year: $125; 2 years: $200; 3 years

    $275; Canadian and foreign, 1 year: $195; only U.S. funds are accepted. Single copies $15. Subscriptions are prepaid by check or money orders only.

    SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: To order a subscription or change your address, please visit our web site at www.solarpowerworldonline.com

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

    2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2014 Winner

    Crains Cleveland Business Fast 50 2014

    4 SOLAR POWER WORLD www.solarpowerworldonline.com

    EDITORIAL

    Managing Editor

    Kathie Zipp

    [email protected]

    @SolarKathieZ

    Associate Editor

    Steven Bushong

    [email protected]

    @Solar2Steven

    Associate Editor

    Kelly Pickerel

    [email protected]

    @SolarKellyP

    Executive Editor

    Leland Teschler

    [email protected]

    @DW_LeeTeschler

    Assistant Editor

    Michelle DiFrangia

    [email protected]

    @wtwh_michelle

    Editorial Intern

    Joshua Smalley

    [email protected]

    WEB/BUSINESS

    DEVELOPMENT

    Web Development Manager

    B. David Miyares

    [email protected]

    @wtwh_webdave

    Web Development Specialist

    Patrick Amigo

    [email protected]

    @amigo_patrick

    Business Development

    Manager

    Patrick Curran

    [email protected]

    @wtwhseopatrick

    Online Coordinator

    Jennifer Calhoon

    [email protected]

    @wtwh_jennifer

    MARKETING

    Marketing Manager

    Stacy Combest

    [email protected]

    @wtwh_stacy

    Marketing Coordinator

    Carli Evilsizer

    [email protected]

    @wtwh_carli

    Marketing Coordinator

    Nicole Loepp

    [email protected]

    @wtwh_nicole

    Marketing Coordinator

    Jen Kolasky

    [email protected]

    @wtwh_jen

    Content Associate

    Lexi Korsok

    [email protected]

    @wtwh_lexi

    Social Media Intern

    Jennifer Schultheis

    [email protected]

    GRAPHICS

    Director, Creative Services

    Mark Rook

    [email protected]

    @wtwh_graphics

    Visual Design Manager

    Matthew Claney

    [email protected]

    @wtwh_designer

    Graphic Designer/Production

    Coordinator

    Margaret Schneider

    [email protected]

    @wtwh_meg

    Graphic Design Intern

    Erin Cawthorne

    [email protected]

    Traffic Manager

    Mary Heideloff

    [email protected]

    VIDEO

    Integrated Media Specialist

    John Hansel

    [email protected]

    @wtwh_jhansel

    Video Coordinator

    Joshua Jones

    [email protected]

    @wtwh_josh

    Video Intern

    Neil Golias

    [email protected]

    Director,

    Audience Development

    Bruce Sprague

    [email protected]

    Staff page_SOLAR_7-15_Vs1.indd 4 7/23/15 11:53 AM

  • More Power More RevenueMore Control

    Booth 4911

    Solar Edge 7-15.indd 1 7/23/15 11:24 AM

  • 5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORST H E F I R S T W O R D

    TOP 500 Advisory Board

    Welcome everyone to Solar Power Worlds 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 thats 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 couldnt 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 years 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, youll 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 2014s success.

    Thank you for keeping this industry going! We would be nothing without your dedication to bringing solar power to the world! SPW

    Managing EditorKathie [email protected]

    Associate EditorSteven [email protected]

    Associate EditorKelly [email protected]

    6 SOLAR POWER WORLD 7 2015

    The SolarPowerWorld team

    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

    First Word_7-15_Vs4kz.indd 6 7/23/15 12:01 PM

  • Its better under the umbrella

    travelers.com

    The Travelers Indemnity Company and its property casualty affiliates. One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183

    2015 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. BENAD.0000-P New 6-15

    You innovate. We protect. Together, we can harness the power of the future.For companies forging new paths in solar energy, the future is full of possibilities. Fortunately, there is an insurance carrier with the insight and expertise to help innovators know what risks may lie ahead and how to manage them so they can keep moving forward. Travelers has more than a century of experience working with the energy industry as a whole, and 25 years focusing on renewable energy. We have the specialized coverages and risk strategies solar power innovators need to protect everything from research and development, to manufacturing and construction, to permanent operations. As you create tomorrows new energy sources, well help you manage the risks.

    BENAD.0000-P_20150624_ML.indd 1 6/24/15 10:09 AMTravelers 7-15.indd 1 7/23/15 11:27 AM

  • [ M E S S A G E F R O M S E I A ]

    8 SOLAR POWER WORLD 7 2015 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

    Last year, in this very publication, I wrote that Americas solar energy industry was on pace to achieve another record-shattering year. This year, Im 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 Statesenough to power more than 4 million homesand were 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 segmentsutility-scale, residential and commercialinstalled more than 1 GW of solar PV systems. This simply wouldnt 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 Americansmore than tech giants Apple, Google, Facebook and Twitter combinedand our ranks are only going to grow. Were 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 America21.6% of the industrys total workforce.

    To put it plainly, solar has become critically important to both our nations energy and economic security. The solar industry pumps nearly $18 billion a year into the U.S. economy.

    Were 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 emissionsthe 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 energys remarkable growth. The Solar Energy Industries

    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.

    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.

    Thats real progress. But our work is far from over. Once again,

    the ITC is due to expire. Its 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 were 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

    WHAT DO YOU THINK?

    Connect and discuss this and other solar issues with thousands

    of professionals online

    5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS

    Congratulations Top 500 Solar Contractors!

    SEIA_7-15_Vs4kpkz.indd 8 7/23/15 1:05 PM

  • RBI Solar Inc.| 513.242.2051 | [email protected] | www.rbisolar.com

    SINGLE SOURCE CARPORT SOLUTIONS

    LET US TALK ABOUT YOUR NEXT PROJECT

    DESIGN ENGINEERING MANUFACTURING INSTALLATION. . . .

    Renusol America Inc. | 877-847-8919 | [email protected] | www.renusolamerica.com

    Renusol GS Renusol EW

    Ballasted Ground-Mount Solution for 72-cell Modules

    Continued InnovationBallasted Ground-Mount & East-West Facing Flat Roof Solutions

    East-West Orientation for Flat Roof Installation

    RBI / Renusol 7-15.indd 1 7/23/15 3:04 PM

  • 5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS J u n e 2 0 1 5 v o l 5 n o 4w w w . s o l a r p o w e r w o r l d o n l i n e . c o m

    5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS5OO555555OOOOOOOOOOOOO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORSCover_July 2015_Vs6.indd 1 7/23/15 9:49 AM

    25 16 19 70 89ON THE COVERON THE COVER

    CONTENTS

    Now in its fourth year, Solar Power Worlds 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 years list our best yet!

    FIRST WORD A MESSAGE FROM SEIA

    TOP 500 BY THE NUMBERS

    TOP 500 CONTRACTORS LIST

    TOP UTILITY CONTRACTORS

    TOP COMMERCIAL CONTRACTORS

    TOP RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTORS

    TOP OFF-GRID CONTRACTORS

    TOP EPCs

    68

    19

    25

    50

    52

    54

    56

    58

    1 0 SOLAR POWER WORLD 7 2015 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

    TOP DEVELOPERS

    TOP ROOFTOP CONTRACTORS

    TOP CONSTRUCTION FIRMS

    TOP ELECTRICAL SUBCONTRACTORS TOP SOLAR HOT WATER INSTALLERS

    CONTRACTORS BY STATE

    CONTRACTORS ACROSS AMERICA

    LOBBYING FOR BUSINESSBUILDING A BETTER WEBSITE

    SURVIVE THE ITC LOSS AD INDEX

    1214

    16112

    62

    64

    68

    69

    70

    73

    91

    Table of Contents 7-15 Solar_Vs4KZ.indd 10 7/23/15 4:38 PM

  • CohnReznick is an independent member of Nexia International

    cohnreznick.com/re

    Joe TorreBaseball Executive,Hall of Fame Inductee

    Get proactive insight, market-focused advice and guidance from a nationally recognized leaderinsights that help developers, lenders and investors achieve their objectives in renewable energy. Find out what CohnReznick thinks at CohnReznick.com/re.

    RENEWABLE ENERGY

    Forward Thinking Creates Results.

    CohnReznick is an independentational

    RENEWABLE ENERGY

    EXPERTISE PUTS EXPERTISE PUTS YOU AT THE TOP YOU AT THE TOP

    OF THE GAMEOF THE GAME

    032B-CR-15_Solar Power World.indd 1 6/23/15 12:55 PMCohnReznick 7-15.indd 1 7/23/15 11:03 AM

  • 1 2 SOLAR POWER WORLD 7 2015 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

    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 For a century, U.S. consumers have received electricity by way of a low-competition utility market. If youve ever bought electricity for your house, your selection of power providers was probably limited to one or two utilities. Solarwhich generates electricity on your own roofdisrupts 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 long-cultivated, 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 dont 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 comptrollers office proposed an increase in the tax valuation of solar property from half a

    Steven Bushong

    Steven Bushong is associate editor

    of Solar Power World.

    [email protected]

    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, wed love to have it at half a percent, but we felt satisfied with the result.

    Step oneThe 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 realitythat solar is good, and this is whyto 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.

    5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS

    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 lawmakers district specificallyfocus on jobs and the economy.

    Put it in writing. Solar is one of 100 special issues. A lawmakers bandwidth is limited. Leave reference materials.

    Dont 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

    Good things dont happen because of luck.

    [ L O B B Y I N G ]

    Lobby to keep business booming

    Lobbying_7-15_Vs5sb.indd 12 7/23/15 1:24 PM

  • 7 2015 SOLAR POWER WORLD 1 3

    5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORSLegislators 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 themin other words, someone who can vote for themand 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 dont 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

    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.

    RegulatorsTalking 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

    [ L O B B Y I N G ]

    in electricity than the typical legislator, Jackson said. For regulators, she said, its 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

    ProfessionalUltralight

    Thermal Camera

    $995F R E E !

    THT45

    GET A FREE THERMAL CAMERAWHEN YOU BUY ONE HT INSTRUMENTS

    I-V CURVE TRACER

    I-V Curve Tracer and Single Phase

    Inverter Efficiency Logger

    ORI-V Curve Tracerfor photovoltaic

    strings and modules

    $4,995 $3,495SPECIAL PRICE SPECIAL PRICE

    SOLAR I-V I-V400

    [email protected] | ht-instruments.com 732-952-2111HT Instruments America

    Lobbying_7-15_Vs5sb.indd 13 7/23/15 1:24 PM

  • 1 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD 7 2015 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

    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 visitors 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, Im constantly exploring websites and working on our own site. Id like to share some basic best practices to ensure your website represents your company the best way possible.

    Eye-appealing and easy to navigate 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 theyre looking for. Then, ensure that information is accessible and easy to find. Most people dont read websites; they scan them. If they cant 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 dont work or take a long time to load can deter visitors. This goes for videos and other multimedia as well.

    Who you are and how to contact youThe answers to these questions should be the easiest to find on your website. Most visitors

    Kathie Zipp

    Kathie Zipp is managing editor of

    Solar Power World.

    [email protected]

    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.

    Its also nice to add some faces, whether its 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 visitors 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 (Im 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 [email protected] email addresses are only as good as the person checking them. Ensure someone does and responds to all inquiries promptly!

    Create contentYour websites focus should be on meeting your audiences needs, not just selling to them. Quality, consistent content can help attract and engage with your audience. I think, at the very least, its a good idea to include a news section and project portfolio. Again, selfishly as a member of the press, I want to see whats 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. Dont 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

    Lets talk about your website

    7 2015 SOLAR POWER WORLD 1 5

    5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS [ B U I L D A B E T T E R W E B S I T E ]

    Your websites focus should be on meeting your audiences needs

    TipsForWebsite_7-15_Vs5sb.indd 14 7/23/15 1:56 PM

  • 7 2015 SOLAR POWER WORLD 1 5

    5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS

    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 isnt 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 audiences 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 industrys 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 didnt touch on, such a mobile optimization, but theres a plethora of additional resources and services available to help you create the best website for your business. Your customers will thank you! SPW

    [ B U I L D A B E T T E R W E B S I T E ]

    233A South Street | Hopkinton, MA 01748 | 800.539.3939

    www.ninefasteners.com

    NFI-1306-V9090 oriented clip intended to secure two USE-2 wires, up to .20diameter, to standard module frame.

    DCS-1306Designed to secure two USE-2 wires,up to .20 diameter, to module frame.

    NFI-1461Designed to secure two Enphasetrunk cables to module frame.

    NFI-146290 oriented clip designed to secure twoEnphase trunk cables to module frame.

    NFI-1463NEWLY designed clip to secure a singleEnphase trunk cable to module frame.

    DCX-2452ADesigned to secure two Enphase trunkcables on to most rail/racking systems.

    For FREE product samples, please reach out to Vin [email protected] or 800.539.3939

    DCS-1307Designed to secure two PV wires, upto .30 diameter, to module frame.

    182804 Nine Fasteners Ad:Layout 1 6/4/15 1:27 PM Page 1

    TipsForWebsite_7-15_Vs5sb.indd 15 7/23/15 1:57 PM

  • 1 6 SOLAR POWER WORLD 7 2015 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

    Its not pessimistic or unrealistic to prepare for whats 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 youve been too focused on the present to concern yourself with the future, dont 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.

    Decide what your company means to youFirst 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.

    Its 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 theyll close the business down or try and sell their business, Irvin said.

    Kelly Pickerel

    Kelly Pickerel is associate editor of

    Solar Power World.

    [email protected]

    Residential contractors:You can survive the ITC loss

    5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS [ I T C ]

    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, its time to prepare for changes.

    Be realistic with your employeesYou 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. Its best to be up-front with your current employees and any potential hires.

    Set expectations very clearly with your employees: This is whats staring us in the face. [We] cant guarantee whats even going to happen with the business, Irvin said. Its OK to say theyll 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 whats 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 solars pool of quality talent is small, outside individuals must be trained, and that takes time. In order to meet 2016s 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.

    Referrals are your best base for turning a lead into a sale.

    ITC_7-15_Vs5sb.indd 16 7/23/15 5:59 PM

  • 7 2015 SOLAR POWER WORLD 1 7

    5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORSPhotos courtesy of Dennis Schroeder, NREL

    [ I T C ]

    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.

    Search for financing optionsContractors that present attractive financing options to their clients will come out ahead after the credit drops.

    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 marketingReferrals 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 campaigninforming customers that solar is affordable even without the Section 25D credit will secure your leadership in the area and bring in sales. But remember, youll likely need the financing partners to bring such affordability to those kitchen tables. SPW

    1-888-WattNode (928-8663) ccontrolsys.com

    THE SPEED OF LIGHT

    Modbus, BACnet, LonWorks, Pulse OutputCertified ANSI C12.1, PBI, UL, cUL

    Does your smart inverter need a revenue-grade power meter with a fast power (Opt FP) update rate?

    WattNode Modbus with Fast Power Option updates the fast power reading every 200 ms.

    Allows for feed-in response time of 500 ms.

    SPI Anaheim, CA Booth 6306

    ITC_7-15_Vs4sb.indd 17 7/23/15 2:34 PM

  • r.e.sponsible for your success.

    Globally minded, locally focused.

    In April 2015 Focused Energy becameBayWa r.e. Solar Systems LLC

    Since 2008, we at Focused Energy have been pioneers in our support of local, independent installers the foundation of a robust and healthy solar industry. Now as an integrated part of BayWa r.e., we offer even greater resources and are soundly positioned to support our growing network of partners well into the future.

    BayWa r.e. renewable energy is fast becoming the world leader in solar PV, wind, bioenergy and geothermal energy generation and is ideally positioned to meet one of the greatest challenges of our generation: delivering reliable and clean energy.

    For more on the BayWa r.e. renewable energy network please visit: www.baywa-re.us

    BayWa 7-15.indd 1 7/23/15 10:58 AM

  • Lists By State p.xxLists By State p.xx

    5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORSBY THE NUMBERST O P S O L A R C O N T R A C T O R S

    BROUGHT TO YOU BY

    OWNED BY

    The Leading U.S. Commercial Inverter Manufacturer

    A $4B Company11,500 Employees

    Over 22 Million Inverters Installed Worldwide22 Manufacturing Facilities Worldwide

    Celebrating 100 YEARS of Manufacturing

    www.solectria.com

    Infographics Intro_Vs5.indd 1 7/23/15 2:38 PM

  • 40

    2 0 SOLAR POWER WORLD 7 2015 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

    103SUPPLYING 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.

    Non-profit

    Solar hot water

    Developer

    Construction

    Rooftop InstallerEPC

    Electrical

    Subcontractor

    3 3

    22 23

    56

    158

    235

    THE JOB

    SCALE OF WORK

    Some companies specialize in specific aspects of solar installation; others do it all, working as EPCs.

    Top Contractors work in these markets primarily:

    158 Commercial / Industrial / Government10 Off-Grid292 Residential40 Utility

    158 292

    10

    02004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

    25

    50

    75 THE SOLAR ERAMcCarthy Building Cos. (No. 17) was founded in

    1864, but the major-ity of Top Contrac-

    tors started in the last decade.

    # o

    f co

    mpa

    nies

    year founded

    S273

    O273

    L273

    A

    R G131

    G5

    I5

    F5

    O5

    O5

    R5

    Y131

    E131

    E49

    E49

    C49

    U44

    N44

    T49

    R49

    E39

    O39

    P39

    W39

    I49

    C49

    E131

    N131

    273

    273

    R18

    R17

    N17

    E18

    E17

    A17

    B17

    L17

    L3

    A3

    R3

    E3

    T3

    S3

    E17

    W17

    E18

    N18

    273 Solar131 Energy49 Electric

    WHATS IN A NAMESolar contractors are progressive by nature, but when it comes to busi-ness names, they stick with the tried and trueTick Tock Energy (No. 460)excepted.

    44 Sun39 Power18 Green

    17 Renewable5 Roofing3 Stellar

    Most common words used in business names:

    By the Numbers powered by:

    5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS

    Infographics_7-15_Vs9sb.indd 20 7/23/15 6:26 PM

  • 7 2015 SOLAR POWER WORLD 2 1

    191 California

    107 New York

    94 Arizona

    87 North Carolina

    84 Massachusetts

    79 Florida

    78 Nevada

    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.

    77 Pennsylvania

    75 Colorado

    74 Maryland

    65 Georgia

    65 Connecticut

    64 Virginia

    59 Delaware

    57 Hawaii

    SOLAR WORKERSNRG 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.

    120: Up to 10

    298: 11 to 100

    66: 101 to 1,000 employees

    16: Over 1,000

    SOLAR HUBS 5 Seattle, Washington3 Scottsdale, Arizona

    14 San Diego, California

    4 Salt Lake City, Utah

    Only Sound Solar (No. 499) calls Kronau, Saskatchewan, Canada, home, but a number of contrac-tors share residency of the same city.

    3 Raleigh, North Carolina

    11 Phoenix, Arizona

    4 New Orleans, Louisiana

    5 Las Vegas, Nevada

    4 Knoxville, Tennessee

    6 Chicago, Illinois

    9 Austin, Texas

    Technology Development Installation

    5 5 614

    STORAGE BREAKTHROUGHMost contractors have experience with solar storage. We expect these numbers to go up. For decades, off-grid projects were the purview of solar storage. Thats changing as technology becomes more affordable and reliable. These are the types of projects that Top Contractors installed with storage in 2014.

    Installed solar storage in 2014

    4% SMALL

    UTILITY

    18% COMMERCIAL

    52% OFF-GRID

    77% RESIDENTIAL

    Technology Development Installation

    57%

    The information on these pages comes from 2015 Top Solar Contractors list application results and a survey sent to some applicants.

    The TopSolar2015CONTRACTORS

    by the numbers

    By the Numbers powered by:

    5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS

    Infographics_7-15_Vs9sb.indd 21 7/23/15 6:27 PM

  • 2 2 SOLAR POWER WORLD 7 2015 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

    EXPERT328

    ENGINEERING DEGREE

    EXPERT OPINIONSSolar design and sales software continues to improve, but nothing beats an in-house human expert for those complex technical questions.

    companies benefit from an electrical, mechanical or civil engineer on staff

    companies employ at least one NABCEP-certified principal

    328

    331

    ITC OUTLOOKTop Contractors rated the importance of the continuation of the ITC for their businesses. In short, its a critical piece of legislation. Heres what they said:

    26%

    21%

    47%

    We will close without it

    Its too early to tell

    We will survive

    DO YOU OFFER OTHER

    SERVICES BESIDES PV

    INSTALLATION?

    Companies also provided grant

    writing, installing solar attic fans and aerial solar

    imaging.

    61%YES

    42%OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE

    42%USED

    DRONES IN 2014

    34%ENERGY

    EFFICIENCY

    20%PANEL CLEANING & SNOW REMOVAL

    20%NO

    19%LOOKING INTO IT

    BEYOND SOLAR

    DRONES! SALES SRATEGY

    42

    Much more than toys, drones can be valuable marketing and maintenance and operations tools.

    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%

    67%

    35%

    22%

    BUY FROM A 3RD PARTY

    WEBMARKETING

    COLD CALLING

    DOOR-TO- DOOR SALES

    331NABCEP

    CERTIFICATION

    Diversification has long been a sound business strategy, and the same applies in this industry.

    By the Numbers powered by:

    5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS

    Infographics_7-15_Vs9sb.indd 22 7/23/15 6:27 PM

  • 7 2015 SOLAR POWER WORLD 2 3

    LUKE WARM ON THE NECMost contractors could take it or leave it. When asked if they agree with the implementation of NEC regulations, this is what they said:

    5%

    27%

    56%

    9%

    2%

    STRONGLY AGREEI train fire fighters, and rapid shut down is a must in their eyes.

    JEH Solar (No. 203)

    AGREEShut down and arc-fault safety are important issues. Addressing them will make solar safer.

    Run on Sun (No. 468)

    NO OPINIONOur engineers feel that rapid shutdown requirement is mostly a solution looking for a problem.

    ReVision Energy (No. 165)

    DISAGREERapid shut down requirements are like wearing a belt and suspenders. The entire code is overkill

    Unique Solar (No. 429)

    STRONGLY DISAGREEThe built-in inverter safety features and labeling requirements seem adequate and reasonable for safety.

    A1A Solar Contracting (No. 212)

    RELATIONSHIP WITH UTILITIESUtilities tend to get a bad rap in the industry, but many contractors reported a good working relationship.

    Have a great relationship

    Report theyre doing OK

    Did not answer

    24% 26% 50%

    UNION LABOR Sometimes a project is bigger than any one developer or EPC, and the local labor hall gets a call.

    Of those that used union labor:

    of contractors used union labor

    23% All of the time

    16% Did not specify

    WOMEN IN SOLAR 35% have women working in the field, and the majority of them are managers.

    The information on these pages comes from 2015 Top Solar Contractors list application results and a survey sent to some applicants.

    By the Numbers powered by:The TopSolar2015CONTRACTORS

    by the numbers

    LABOR HALL

    61% Used it less than a third of the time

    5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS

    19%

    Infographics_7-15_Vs9sb.indd 23 7/23/15 6:28 PM

  • Superior racking is the foundation of success in solar. As the industry transforms, were building on our racking legacy with a full range of fixed-tilt and tracker products and services for your every project need. Big or small, simple or complex, our solar energy solutions will help you overcome obstacles and achieve greater success. Discover the power of whats possible, with SunLink. Visit SunLink.com/groundmount to discover which SunLink solution is the perfect fit for your next project.

    415.306.9837 SUNLINK.COM

    THE SOLAR INDUSTRY IS EVOLVING, AND WERE LEADING THE WAY.

    10539_SL_Solar Power World- Top Contractors Ad.indd 1 6/26/15 4:23 PMSunLink 7-15.indd 1 7/23/15 11:26 AM

  • Lists By State p.xxLists By State p.xx

    5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORSTop 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.

    HONORING THE BESTOF THE INDUSTRY

    Lists By Market p.50Lists By Service p.58

    Lists By Top States p.73 Contractors Across America p.91

    The Top 500 List Begins On The Next Page

    Top 500 Intro_Vs3kp.indd 1 7/23/15 4:41 PM

  • Dedicated to dierentiating our customers productsDunkermotor is a leading manufacturer of customized rotary and linear motion solutions providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for original equipment manufacturers in the automation, medical, solar, packaging, semiconductor and transportation industry segments.

    1500 Bishop Ct - Mt Prospect, IL Call: [email protected]

    All-In-One Motor-Gear-Controller- SensorTake utility-scale and commercial solar trackers to a whole new level: motor, gear, controller, eldbus and optional integrated inclinometer, now in one compact unit.

    The STMTM Series

    Most Advanced Tracking Solutions

    STM(PV)TM STM(CPV)TM STM(CSP)TM POWERED BY DUNKERMOTOR

    Dunkermotor 5-15.indd 1 7/23/15 11:04 AM

  • 7 2015 SOLAR POWER WORLD 2 7

    THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORSIN NORTH AMERICA5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS

    TOTAL MW RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES

    PRIMARY INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE

    MARKET

    MW IN 2014

    = EPC = CONSTRUCTION FIRM = DEVELOPER =ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR = NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR = SOLAR HOT WATER

    = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR = OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO

    1 First Solar Tempe CA 1999 6,060 3,881.333 1,023.130 firstsolar.com

    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 Kansas City 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

    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.

    Top 500 list 7-15_Vs10kp FINAL.indd 27 7/23/15 8:24 PM

  • aurorasmart solar power

    Aurora offers so much more than a pretty pictureit is the industrys most sophisticated platform for residential and commercial system design. Automatically lay out and string your modules, inverters and (re)combiner boxes at the click of a button. Perform detailed shading analysis right from your office, and run NREL-validated performance simulations. Conduct extensive NEC (2014) compliance checks on your design. Auto-generate single line dia-grams and export your design to AutoCAD. And yes, generate stunning visuals.

    Americas top solar companies are using Aurora to design solar installations within min-utes. What about you?

    Sign up nowwww.aurorasolar.com

    How about you.indd 1 7/20/15 9:34 PMAurora 7-15.indd 1 7/23/15 10:56 AM

  • 7 2014 SOLAR POWER WORLD 2 9

    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

    TOTAL MW RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES

    PRIMARY INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE

    MARKET

    MW IN 2014

    = EPC = CONSTRUCTION FIRM = DEVELOPER =ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR = NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR = SOLAR HOT WATER

    = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR = OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO

    THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA 5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS

    Top 500 list 7-15_Vs10kp FINAL.indd 29 7/23/15 8:24 PM

  • 3 0 SOLAR POWER WORLD 7 2014 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

    64 Newkirk Electric Assoicates Muskegon MI 1961 425 98.331 13.200 newkirk-electric.com

    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 4 66.000 6.700 oakleafep.com

    THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS TOTAL MW RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES

    PRIMARY INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE

    MARKET

    MW IN 2014

    = EPC = CONSTRUCTION FIRM = DEVELOPER =ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR = NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR = SOLAR HOT WATER

    = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR = OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO

    Top 500 list 7-15_Vs9kp FINAL.indd 30 7/23/15 3:17 PM

  • ABBs Rapid Shutdown units are NEC 2014 code compliant and cost effective. This new solution strategically fits within 10 feet of the array and will shut power down within 10 seconds or lessall without the need of extra conduit. Its a simple path to full compliance. This is just one of the ways that we at ABB empower solar installers with the latest technology to make their jobs easier and the world better. Visit abb-solarinverters.com/rapidshutdown to learn more.

    Rapid Shutdown. You dont want to worry about NEC 2014. So we did.

    ABB 7-15.indd 1 7/23/15 10:50 AM

  • 3 2 SOLAR POWER WORLD 7 2014 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

    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

    THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS TOTAL MW RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES

    PRIMARY INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE

    MARKET

    MW IN 2014

    = EPC = CONSTRUCTION FIRM = DEVELOPER =ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR = NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR = SOLAR HOT WATER

    = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR = OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO

    Top 500 list 7-15_Vs9kp FINAL.indd 32 7/23/15 3:17 PM

  • Renewable NRG 7-15.indd 1 7/23/15 11:17 AM

  • 3 4 SOLAR POWER WORLD 7 2014 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

    134 Complete Solar Solutions of California San Mateo CA 2009 73 10.000 4.027 completesolar.com

    135 Solar Electrical Systems Thousand Oaks CA 1981 25 115.000 4.000 solarelectricalsystems.com

    136 Milholland Electric El Cajon CA 1990 35 10.000 4.000 milhollandelectric.com

    137 A1 Solar Power Van Nuys CA 1986 499 9.527 3.927 a1solarpower.net

    138 Meridian Solar Austin TX 1999 25 40.000 3.900 meridiansolar.com

    139 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

    THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS TOTAL MW RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES

    PRIMARY INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE

    MARKET

    MW IN 2014

    = EPC = CONSTRUCTION FIRM = DEVELOPER =ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR = NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR = SOLAR HOT WATER

    = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR = OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO

    Top 500 list 7-15_Vs9kp FINAL.indd 34 7/23/15 3:18 PM

  • 7 2015 SOLAR POWER WORLD 3 5

    THE 2015 TOP 500 SOLAR CONTRACTORS IN NORTH AMERICA 5OO2015 TOP SOLAR CONTRACTORS

    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

    TOTAL MW RANK COMPANY CITY STATE FOUNDED EMPLOYEES

    PRIMARY INSTALLED INSTALLED WEBSITE

    MARKET

    MW IN 2014

    = EPC = CONSTRUCTION FIRM = DEVELOPER =ELECTRICALSUBCONTRACTOR = ROOFTOP CONTRACTOR = NON-PROFIT CONTRACTOR = SOLAR HOT WATER

    = UTILITY CONTRACTOR = RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR = COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR = OFF-GRID CONTRACTOR = SOLARREVIEWS PRE-SCREENED SOLAR PRO

    Top 500 list 7-15_Vs9kp FINAL.indd 35 7/23/15 3:18 PM

  • 3 6 SOLAR POWER WORLD 7 2014 www.solarpowerworldonline.com

    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 a