Drive through any suburban neighborhood in the U.S. right now and you will see that more and more Americans are opting to use solar energy to power their homes. That's because solar power is the fastest growing provider of energy and is being recognized as the future of alternative energy.
Legend Solar
Many companies are seeking measures to decrease the country's dependence on fossil fuels and instead are pursuing innovative ways to create energy from renewable sources, such as solar energy. Since 2012, Legend Solar has become one of the fastest growing providers of solar power for businesses and homes in the Western United States. Although the company was started in Utah, they are now beginning to expand in Portland, Ore., Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
Legend Solar is quickly becoming a leading solar company and recently earned the "Residential National Rising Star" award from corporate partner, SunPower, one of the most prominent companies and manufacturers of sustainable energy. In 2015 Legend Solar reached an incredible milestone when they achieved a 400 percent growth, increasing revenue increase from $3.7 to $18.3 million year over year. An incredible achievement considering co-owners and co-founders of Legend Solar, Shaun Alldredge and Shane Perkins, began their company working out of their car.
How Solar Systems Work
According to SunPower, a photovoltaic (PV) solar system is comprised of solar panels, racks for putting the panels on roofs, electrical wiring, and an inverter. During daylight hours, the solar panels generate electricity (DC) which is sent to an inverter. The inverter converts the DC electricity into alternating current (AC), which is the type of electricity required for household use. The AC power is delivered directly to a home's main electrical service panel for use.
Energy Star Program and Tax Credit
The good news for some homeowners is that installing solar energy and installing solar panels on their homes is becoming increasingly more affordable. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy run the Energy Star program, which encourages Americans to use solar power through tax credits.
If a homeowner installs Energy Star-approved solar-power systems, like the ones sold by Legend Solar, before the end of 2019, they can claim 30 percent of the cost as a tax credit for the year they are installed. This is can be a savings of up to $10,000 for some customers.
Legend Solar is helping their customers take advantage of the tax credit as well as providing them with competitive financing options, so that homeowners can use this tax credit and start using solar energy to power their home. Legend Solar also completes city permits and processes all the paperwork for their customers. They are committed to ensuring that their customers receive the best value for their installation by customizing the system to meet their individual needs. By educating their customers on potential savings and other renewable energy benefits, they are helping customers reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to cleaner air.
"One of the advantages that we provide is that we're a full-service solar company, so actually dealing with HOA approvals -- we do that for our customers," said Derrik Shakespear, CMO of Legend Solar, in a recent interview with the ABC affiliate in Utah. "Doing all the engineering on (the) roof -- we do that for our customer. We actually have a master electrician that's in-house. Our fulfillment team is all done by us rather than dealing with subcontractors."
Solar Business
Legend Solar has a unique business model that is contributing to the company becoming the fastest growing solar power provider in the Western United States. Their success is due to the high quality of the products they use and their customers actually owning their solar equipment instead of renting.
The demand for solar energy is also creating a demand for jobs within the solar power industry. Alldredge said that he and Perkins started out with just the two of them, "and now we've got over 100 [employees]. Every week we're employing new people. So it's actually a very big deal." The job satisfaction of their employees is very important to Alldredge and Perkins. They believe in creating an enjoyable work environment and are loyal to their employees through providing bonuses, incentives, and company retreats. Employee job satisfaction can be seen in Legend Solar's high retention and low turnover rates.
Giving Back to the Community
Creating a cleaner environment through solar energy is not the only way that Legend Solar gives back. Planting trees, donating to student fundraisers, scholarships, local athletes, and creating sponsorships with local communities are just some of the ways Legend Solar has committed to participated in giving back to the local communities that they are involved in.
Looking Ahead -- a "Bright" Future
Legend Solar is looking ahead and has just announced its newest office opening in the city of Portland, Ore. Portland is the perfect place to expand the solar market as it is a well-known metropolitan area that focuses on sustainability and environmental impact through public transportation, water power, and now, solar energy.
Portland is often called the "Greenest City in America" because of its history of environmental initiatives, and the U.S. Department of Energy named it one of the 25 Solar America Cities for promoting the adoption of solar technology. "Portland is often associated with rainy winters, but with an average of 144 days a year of bright, sunny days, this city is an ideal location for Legend Solar," said Perkins, "We're excited to introduce residents to the legendary difference of Legend Solar power."
With the significant growth and expansion Legend Solar has experienced over the last few years, it is definitely a solar energy company on the rise.
For more information about Legend Solar, visit legendsolar.com or contact (877) 413-6412.