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Since it was formed in 2001, SPG Solar has built a national reputation as a solar energy company that can provide reliable, high-performance solar power systems. Much like the industry itself, SPG Solar is proving that it is ready for the mainstream as more commercial, industrial, utility and public energy users realize the potential benefits of solar power to their bottom line as well as the environment.  

The company serves commercial, industrial, government, education and utility markets. It has received more than its fair share of attention in recent years, having earned a place on the 2011 Inc. magazine 500|5000 list, being named as a 2011 Platts Global Energy Awards Finalist, finding itself on the Entrepreneur magazine Hot 100, and becoming the second-largest solar integrator in California according to Solarbuzz. 

Overall, the company has more than 70MW of solar power installed nationwide and a system uptime performance record of 99.5 percent. President and CEO Chris Robine believes SPG Solar has grown into an industry leader because of its commitment to discovering innovative methods of maximizing solar production and providing reliable solar power systems. 

“The success of SPG Solar is [due to] its focus on innovation to enable customers to go solar,” he says.

Products That Perform

The company has two proprietary products: SPG Solar SunSeeker Tracker and SPG Solar Floatovoltaics. The first proprietary product—SPG Solar SunSeeker Tracker—has more than 38MW already installed. It is a single-axis tracker that produces up to 20 percent more energy than fixed tilt solar power systems. Its streamlined design uses less land, and its efficient installation process means an increased payback for clients. SPG Solar continues to refine the system in ways that will drive the industry forward and offer clients solutions that will simplify solar power adoption.

As for SPG Solar Floatovoltaics, it became the world’s first commercial floating solar power system when it was created in 2007. It makes use of pontoons that float on water. The system conserves land, reduces water evaporation by up to 70 percent, improves water quality and optimizes solar panel production.

Having grown into a leading national solar energy company, SPG Solar is actively expanding its services and geographical reach. The company boasts an in-house structured finance team that makes SPG Solar a virtual one-stop shop for solar energy projects. In fact, the company consists of design and engineering, structured finance, products, EPC and operations and maintenance teams that allow SPG Solar to provide clients with every conceivable service at every step of a solar energy project. It can also serve all clients anywhere because it has offices in Arizona, California, New Jersey and Massachusetts.  

“We streamline the solar process for our clients, providing in-house engineering, design, structured finance, products, installation and maintenance services,” Robine says.

SPG Solar has about 120 employees nationally, which means it has the size to perform on any job while maintaining the flexibility needed to treat each client as a premier client. With a qualified team of North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)-certified and C10 (electrical) contractors, SPG Solar says it has the skill set to build state-of-the-art solar power systems. 

A Year to Remember

In business for more than a decade, 2011 was a banner year for SPG Solar in more ways than one. In February, Ricoh Americas Corp. announced the completion of a rooftop solar energy system on the Ricoh Electronics headquarters in Tustin, Calif. The system will supply up to 10 percent of the building’s electricity. SPG Solar managed the project and installed close to 1,000 solar panels to create the system.

The company followed that up in March when its partnership with Irvine Unified School District and SunEdison culminated in the activation of 2 MWs of solar power capacity. It is a multi-school program, which should generate more than 2.9 million kWh of electricity annually.

Also in the spring, SPG Solar took part in the inauguration of one of the Sacramento region’s largest private solar power installations. The 3 MW project, converting a brownfield to a solar brightfield, will supply electricity to the 3 million-square-foot commercial and industrial Depot Park, and SPG Solar designed and installed the system.

SPG Solar also completed a 1 MW system for STC Solar in Woodbridge, N.J. The rooftop system has more than 3,600 solar panels and was installed on the Kessler Sales & Distribution warehouse. 

“As a distribution company impacted by volatile oil and energy costs, Kessler is planning for the future by locking in a predictable, long-term cost of electricity while at the same time supporting local economic development in New Jersey,” Robine says.

A few additional projects that came to fruition for SPG Solar in 2011 included an 891 KW system at Lakeside Dairy in Hanford, Calif.; a 363 KW system at States Logistics Services in Buena Park, Calif.; the dedication of two new solar systems at Point Loma Nazarene University; installation of a 1 MW ground and rooftop solar power system at Napa Valley Unified School District’s American Canyon High School; completion of a 1MW system at Mammoth Community Water District in Mammoth Lakes, Calif.; and completion of a 2.3 MW solar power project at the Neely Wastewater Reclamation Facility in Gilbert, Ariz.

The company has an unyielding passion for advancing the solar industry and spreading the solar power gospel. Although it is already a leading national solar energy company, it knows it must continue to innovate if it is to play a role in shaping the solar industry’s future. Fortunately, the SunSeeker and Floatovoltaics product lines are providing the company with an excellent foundation to build on. 

In fact, the company in 2011 announced the availability of SPG Solar Floatovoltaics, its next generation in floating solar technology. It redesigned and engineered its groundbreaking floating solar array to be cost competitive. Clearly, SPG Solar is committed to growing its already established presence in the solar energy industry and helping to define the future of the energy landscape in the United States.

“I have the greatest pleasure of working with a talented, driven and dedicated team,” Robine says. “Together, we will continue to establish strong client relationships and accelerate the deployment of solar across the country.”