Solarponics Recognized For Providing Clean Energy Jobs
Solarponics Named Top Solar Contractor for 7th Year.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
07/24/2017
Solarponics Recognized for Providing Jobs and Clean Energy in California
The Solar Power World Top Solar Contractors List includes Atascadero-based solar firm, Solarponics, which employs 47 local professionals.
ATASCADERO, CA—Solar power is a booming business worldwide, but local solar contractor Solarponics is among the companies recently named to an annual and well-recognized list of North America’s top solar contractors. This marks the seventh year in a row that Solarponics has made the list, ranking #237 for 2018.
The Top Solar Contractors List is developed by Solar Power World magazine to recognize the work completed by solar contractors across the U.S. and Canada. The companies on the list are growing the economy, providing jobs and offering consumers a choice about how they get their power. The list was released July 16.
“Solar Power World is very excited about the 2018 class of Top Solar Contractors,” said Kelly Pickerel, editor in chief of Solar Power World. “Our 2017 list showed impressive installation numbers after 2016’s huge rush to meet ITC requirements, and many companies were hesitant to show unavoidable installation dips after last year’s high. We’re happy to feature a strong group of thriving U.S. solar installers on the 2018 Top Solar Contractors list. These companies truly are at the top of their markets.”
Solarponics works amid a burgeoning business market. The U.S. solar market is expected to grow 13% this year, according to global research firm GTM Research. While a majority of solar electricity is produced at large, utility-scale solar power plants, the greatest number of solar jobs are located with companies like Solarponics — firms doing the work to bring clean energy to the public on a micro-local level.
No one can deny that local companies are supporting the growth of the solar industry and the economy as a whole. Companies like Solarponics continue to do the legwork, meeting with consumers, and increasing our renewable energy capacity one panel and one rooftop at a time.
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About Solar Power World
Solar Power World (SPW) is the leading online and print resource for news and information regarding solar installation, development and technology. Since 2011, SPW has helped solar contractors—including installers, developers and EPCs in all markets—grow their businesses and do their jobs better. SPW is published by WTWH Media in Cleveland, Ohio.
About Solarponics
Founded in 1975, Solarponics is the oldest, continuously operating solar energy company in California and has installed over 5,200 energy systems on the central coast. Today, Solarponics installs solar electric, home battery, EV chargers, solar pool heating, thermal water heating, and radiant heating systems for residential and commercial projects. Solarponics is based in Atascadero, CA and can be reached by calling (805) 466-5595.
Paso Robles Reaches 1,000 Solar Home Installs
Paso became the first city to reach 1,000 installs in San Luis Obispo County.
Atascadero, CA – Last month, Paso Robles resident Dan Robinson decided he wanted to save money and do the right thing when he called Solarponics and applied for a solar energy permit to install solar on his home. Little did he know that his application would be the 1,000th solar energy permit filed in the city of Paso Robles. With Mr. Robinson’s solar install, Paso became the first city to reach 1,000 installs in San Luis Obispo County.
“These seven panels on my roof can do the same for me as a multi-billion dollar power plant… with no pollution,” says Mr. Robinson. “Solar makes so much sense on so many levels. It’s the right way to go.”
Solar energy first became popular in the late 1970’s when President Carter installed solar water heating panels on the White House. At the time, electric rates hovered around a low of 5¢/kWh. Solar electric and solar water heating systems were still quite a bit more expensive than utility-purchased energy.
“Even with the recently imposed solar panel tariffs, solar energy continues to be a significant money-saver. The more energy rates increase, the more solar makes sense. And rates are always increasing,” says Kristian Emrich, Solarponics vice-president.
Since the mid 1980’s, California has seen a nearly 300% increase in the price of energy, currently averaging 19¢/kWh, while solar energy prices have dropped significantly, making solar electric far more affordable than grid-tied energy today.
Nationally, solar installs in the U.S. have grown from 1.2 gigawatts (GW) in 2008 to an estimated 34GW today. Paso Robles has gone from under 20kW of solar installs in 2008 to over 6 megawatts (MW) of residential solar today. This equates to more than $50 million in collective energy savings for Paso Robles homeowners over the next 20 years.
“Five years ago, we could not have imagined reaching this milestone…1,000 solar roofs in Paso… 10,000 county-wide. And now, here we are. Our vision is to see renewable energy systems on every single structure in the county. So, there’s a lot of work to do still,” says Mr. Emrich.
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