What is the Top Solar Contractors list?
Solar Power World, the leading solar publication covering technology, development and installation, publishes the Top Solar Contractors list annually. The list includes hundreds of solar contractors and developers in the United States, listed and categorized by state/territory, service and market.
Is there a fee to apply?
Nope! It’s free!
Who can apply for the Top Solar Contractors list?
The list includes solar PV companies that provide the following services: EPC contracting, development, construction/installation, electrical work and/or rooftop-specific installations. Companies can do work in any market segment, including utility, commercial, residential and off-grid. Companies must be headquartered in the United States.
How are companies on the Top Solar Contractors list determined?
Companies are listed according to the kilowatt capacity of projects they installed, developed or helped construct in the previous year within the borders of the United States and its territories (global installations are not counted, including installations in Canada). Each company is listed multiple ways: by state/territory, market and service.
Only new kilowatts installed in the previous calendar year can be submitted for each list. Re-installed kilowatts (in the case of re-roofing or other solar removal tasks) cannot be submitted.
What are the different solar service definitions?
Developer – A company that secures financing for solar installations, often owning the result, and may or may not build the project, sometimes contracting with local EPCs.
EPC – Responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction of solar projects. Often the primary contractor and will sometimes appoint subcontractors to do construction or electrical work.
Rooftop Contractor – A solar installer that works primarily on rooftop installations.
Electrical Subcontractor – A company that performs specialized work related to the installation of electrical systems, often under contract with the developer or EPC.
Installation Subcontractor – A company that often works under a developer or EPC on a specific aspect of a solar array, such as pile driving or panel installation only.
NEW for 2018: Manufacturer Installer – A manufacturer of solar products (mounting systems, foundations, etc.) that is hired as a subcontractor to only install its product.
How do I apply for the Top Solar Contractors list?
Applying is easy. The application is open from late February to late May every year. Applications for the 2018 Top Solar Contractors list are now closed.
Can my company review the questions prior to filling out the application?
Yes. Each year we provide the application in PDF form to review. See 2018’s application here, but realize the deadline to apply has passed.
What information do I need to apply?
In addition to basic company information (number of employees, address, etc.), applicants must submit documented proof of installations. Data must be submitted to support claimed kilowatt installation numbers. We require for each project: project size (DC kilowatts), project location (city, state), installation completion or utility approval date (between Jan. 1, 2017 and Dec. 31, 2017) and your company’s role on the project (if it’s not obvious).
For subcontractors unaware of project commissioning or utility approval dates, please include your work completion date along with the name of the general contractor or project owner, so we have secondary information in case we need to follow up. For off-grid submissions, please provide work completion date and any secondary information to assist us in verifying numbers.
Please note, your provided information will not be used for any other purposes or provided to anyone else for solicitation. Your information will be destroyed after your number is verified.
Five documents or datasets may be submitted with applications to show 2017 projects, although we’d prefer one Excel document. Submitted data will be verified with state interconnection records, utility records and an advisory board. We will use context clues if your submitted completion date doesn’t exactly match official records. We have the right to remove companies from our list if we feel they have exaggerated numbers or cannot adhere to our data request.
An example submission is below:
What companies are on the 2018 Top Solar Contractors advisory board?
Solar Power World has compiled an advisory panel comprised of contractors and developers from across the country who will review the list prior to publishing.
2018 Advisory Board Members
Azimuth Energy
GenPro Energy Solutions
Main Street Solar
Michigan Solar Solutions
NC Solar Now
Palomar Solar
SolarNorcal
Yes Solar Solutions
When will the 2018 Top Solar Contractors list be published?
The 2018 list was published both online and print on July 24, 2018. View the online list here.
Where can I see previous Top Solar Contractors lists?
Previous lists are available on the Solar Power World website. Here are the lists for 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Will there be a Top Solar Contractors Gala this year?
Yes. The 2018 event will take place in Anaheim, California, on Monday, Sept. 24 during Solar Power International 2018. More information will come available after the list is published.
What are the 2018 awards?
In addition to our annual awards for the Top Utility Contractor, Top Residential Contractor, Top EPC, Top Developer, etc., we will have two editor-chosen awards (which will be featured in the Top Solar Contractors issue, online and on stage at the Top Solar Contractors Gala) that require more information to be submitted for consideration. Each applicant to the 2018 list will receive a link to a separate awards application in a confirmation email.
The editor-chosen awards include:
Greenest Contractor – Do you talk the talk AND walk the walk? We’d like to celebrate the greenest contractors on our list. Is your headquarters powered by solar panels? Do you have a recycling program? Do you give employees solar-related perks? Do you heat your business with geothermal power? Tell us why you’re the greenest contractor on the Top Solar Contractors list.
2017 Winner: Wright-Way Solar Technologies
Most Forward-Thinking Contractor – We want to recognize innovative solar contractors. How progressive is your company? Do you have partnerships with different solar manufacturers to test their products on your projects? Do you only work on projects that can support energy storage? Do you seek out new technologies? Tell us the innovative steps your company takes to be on the cutting-edge of solar and why you’re 2017’s most forward-thinking contractor.
2017 Winner: Iowa Wind and Solar
I have a question that wasn’t answered.
That’s OK! Send us an email at topcontractors@solarpowerworldonline.com.