2021 year marks the 10th edition of Solar Power World’s celebrated Top Solar Contractors list. To mark the occasion, the solar media outlet hosted monthly roundtable conversations with installation companies leading to the 2021 Top Solar Contractors list reveal.
The Solar Power World Top Solar Contractors list is the most recognized annual listing of solar contractors in the United States working in the utility, commercial and residential markets. Companies are grouped and listed by specific services, markets and states based on the previous year’s installed kilowatt capacity. First released as a Top 100 list in 2012, the Top Solar Contractors list now honors upward of 500 installation companies each year.
“Ten years is a significant milestone within the solar community. Many companies reaching the 10-year mark are labeled veterans of the industry,” said Kelly Pickerel, editor in chief of Solar Power World. “We’re honored to continue supporting the growing solar industry in recognizing the solar installers making that growth happen.”
Roundtable discussions can be viewed on YouTube or found on our podcast channel:
Survival Stories: Best Business Practices One Year After Coronavirus
Solar installation companies across all markets will discuss lessons learned in 2020 that have changed and improved business going forward. As the world transitioned to online and contact-free interactions, solar companies had to get creative with their sales and installation practices. What new procedures actually increased business and where are we still needing help?
Must-Have Power: Solar + Storage in the Age of Emergencies
The rise of extreme weather has many homeowners concerned about keeping the lights and refrigerators on through extended power outages. And with more utilities looking at energy storage to improve the resiliency of their grids, the storage market has finally hit its tipping point. Solar installers across all markets will describe how they’ve incorporated batteries into their service offerings along with the important installation considerations that come with storage systems.
Designing for Next-Generation Technologies: Utility-Scale Trends
The utility-scale solar market may seem like an assembly line of tried-and-true installation methods, but most of the industry’s technology advances first arrive on our largest projects. Large-format and bifacial solar modules are tested on new trackers and hooked up to more powerful inverters every day. Utility-scale contractors will talk about how they keep abreast on the latest technology designs while building successful projects with a shrinking ITC.
Using More Power At Home: Residential Solar Sales and the Desire for Mini Microgrids
While COVID-19 sent many in the United States to work and learn at home, utility bills increased along with the interest in solar and storage. Residential solar installers will talk about their businesses and where they’ve found success — from sales software, mounting techniques, lead generation, inverter choice, battery backup requests and more.
Big Portfolios, Manageable Projects: Community Solar Design & Installation
One of the fastest growing solar segments involves the community solar model. Instead of one end-user, many customers are involved with the unique solar projects on landfills, townhomes and community fields. C&I contractors involved with community solar will discuss the design, installation and post-project considerations necessary for this quickly emerging market in the United States.