• Interest in clean living is seeing a sharp rise in homes switching to solar energy

  • Clean Energy Solutions’ incredible business growth due to clever financing options

  • Utilities and labor unions are unhappy about the move to private solar electricity companies - want control back

The energy created by sunlight striking the earth's surface in an hour and a half is enough to fulfill the world’s entire energy consumption for a whole year. New technologies harnessing solar radiation into solar power are fast becoming the energy source of choice, for a ton of reasons, one being that using solar power saves consumers money in the long run.

Clean Energy Solutions was founded in 2014, and in just over a year, became the #1 growing solar provider on the West Coast. Their products and service offering is so good, they’ve made it on Inc Magazine’s Inc 5000 list 3 years in a row, as one of the fastest growing private companies in the US.

Clean Energy for Everyone

“We want to make clean energy available to everyone; from homeowners, businesses, schools, and nonprofits to government organizations, and at a lower cost than they pay for energy generated by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas,” said David Gomez, CEO of Clean Energy Solutions.

And their approach is simple: They install solar energy generating systems to the highest engineering standards, while also making sure that the switch to a clean energy source is an easy and straightforward one for customers. “We've revolutionized the way energy is delivered by giving customers a cleaner, more affordable alternative to their monthly utility bill,” Gomez said.

David Gomez
David Gomez David Gomez

Why is Solar Energy So Popular?

By 2050, experts believe solar power will be the world's biggest electricity source. With solar power being the safer and cleaner energy investment for not only businesses, but also families and entire neighborhoods, everyone will benefit from reduced electricity bills. Solar power also increases a home or building’s market value, and the idea of reducing global emissions is close to everyone’s heart.

The environmental impact of switching to solar energy is immense; an average solar power system will offset 5.9 tons of CO2 annually which equates to 295 tons in 50 years’ time! It’s the equivalent of NOT driving 650,500 miles, planting 17 football fields with trees, and eliminating 291,512 pounds of burned coal.

Currently, home-based solar panels average between 15 and 18 percent efficiency and electricity generated from them costs as low as $ 0.14 kWh .

How Much Does Switching to Solar Cost?

According to Gomez, switching to solar is pretty easy once an extensive look at the customer’s energy usage is carried out. “We then execute the entire process, from permitting to installation and provide ongoing monitoring and repair services,” said Gomez.

In fact, with a power purchase agreement, homeowners don’t even need to purchase a system at all. A system would get installed in the customer’s home, meaning the only payment made is for the energy that the panel produces, which is much cheaper than paying for energy through the grid.

With today’s soaring energy costs, a solar power purchase agreement could make all the difference for many families across America.

What Makes Clean Energy Solutions So Great?

The fact that they have seen 12,000% growth speaks volumes to the interest that people have in switching to solar power. What sets Clean Energy Solutions apart is that their customers don’t have to pay for the solar panels or the installation; they just pay for the energy they actually use. Gomez attributes their success to integrated sales, efficient service, design, installation, monitoring and financing.

Another reason for the success is their strategic partnership with public company Sunrun, founded in 2007 with a unique business model adopted by Clean Energy Solutions, which offers customers either a lease, or a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), where homeowners can pay for electricity usage but don’t necessarily have to buy the actual solar panels.

Californian Utilities Playing Dirty

Buying and installing a new home solar system in California, with or without a home battery, could make a homeowner qualify for a 26% federal tax credit, which will drop to 22% in 2023.

It hasn’t been the easiest road for Clean Energy Solutions; angry Californian Utilities companies and their labor unions have grown more and more vicious toward private rooftop solar businesses. In fact, utility regulators have proposed slashing clean energy incentives for homeowners, all to regain control of electricity production, sale and distribution.

Gomez said: “I believe business, and life, is all about constantly having to adapt, so I love the quote by Mike Tyson: Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” But this clean energy company, and others like it, are still on an incredible growth trajectory and will continue to be riding the green wave well into the future.