Alternative Energy Store (altE), a Massachusetts-based distributor of solar energy products and systems, acquired Real Goods, a California-based solar retailer.
Founded in 1978, Real Goods is an early purveyor of off-grid living supplies. Envisioned as a one-stop-shop to meet all the needs of remote homesteaders, the store began with the sale of the first retail solar panel in the United States. In 1982 Real Goods published the Solar Living Sourcebook, a resource for off-the-grid living, renewable energy, green building, homesteading and all things sustainable. Since then, over 500,000 copies have been sold in 44 English-speaking countries.
“As a teenager, I actually remember reading the Real Goods catalog and Solar Living Sourcebook and being inspired by them,” said Sascha Deri, co-founder and CEO, altE. “It’s an honor for me that altE will empower the heritage of both the Real Goods brand and
customers across the globe into the future.
“Bringing the Real Goods team and brand strength of 41 years together with altE is a powerful combination for all our customers,” Deri continued. “Real Goods and altE customers will benefit from a larger staff of knowledgeable and friendly folks from east coast to west.”
The Real Goods office and warehouse will remain Hopland-Ukiah, California, focusing on both off-grid and grid-tied renewable energy systems and sales. With the acquisition, Real Goods will also begin offering competitive programs for professional solar installers on the West Coast, with expanded inventory and distributor pricing.
“When I thought about retiring a year ago, I looked far and wide to find the best company to carry on the Real Goods tradition. With Sascha Deri and altE, I think we have found the perfect match,” said John Schaeffer, president and founder of Real Goods. “Our vision and mission dovetail perfectly with theirs, and we’re proud and confident to see them continue serving our loyal customers and new customers into the future.
A location for the new Real Goods store will be selected in the greater Hopland, California.
News item from Alternative Energy Store
“The Real Goods office and warehouse will remain Hopland-Ukiah, California, focusing on both off-grid and grid-tied renewable energy systems and sales. With the acquisition, Real Goods will also begin offering competitive programs for professional solar installers on the West Coast, with expanded inventory and distributor pricing.”
It was a small company that installed my first solar PV system back in 2005, Scott and Mary Carlson did this job for me. An excellent installation and then a couple of years later Real Goods Solar bought them out and took over the territory. Unfortunately, when I needed an inverter replacement, we had problems getting a hold of the field support at Real Goods. So, I contacted the manufacturer (Fronius), gave them the failure codes, they generated an RMA, sent me a refurbished inverter with a 1 year warranty and I isolated and swapped out the unit myself. A couple of days later Real Goods contacted us about the inverter. Had to inform them that Fronius and I had that worked out and another unit was now in place of the failed unit.
It sounds like Real Goods wants the distributorship route and perhaps the C&I jobs, but not the home solar PV systems.