Sunfarm Solar marks 18 years as a top solar power provider for businesses nationwide
Our Story.
1999 may not seem all that long ago for many of us, but in alternative energy years – specifically solar power years — it’s a lifetime. Literally.
Sunfarm Solar began producing solar power at a time when, for many, alternative energy was a mere pipe dream. In the late 20th century, the notion of alternative energy sources as the primary source of electricity was a far-fetched idea that seemed entirely out of reach. Nearly two decades later, individuals and businesses embrace solar power as a critical piece of their environmental and economic solution, and a reliable way to strengthen their financial future.
We began our work creating a financial platform that would offer business owners, farmers and homeowners the means to obtain a solar system with NO cash outlay. With federal and state incentives and Sunfarm’s efforts, these solar systems became the property of each owner, at NO cost. Nearly two decades later, hundreds of these same solar systems are still in operation, producing substantial energy. Nearly two decades later, Sunfarm is still delivering solar systems to its partners, with NO cash outlay required.
And so, we grew. In 2007, Sunfarm Solar sold the first Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) in the State of New Jersey. In 2009, we expanded our ownership and operations to New York, Massachussets and Puerto Rico, and by 2015 Sunfarm became one of the largest owner and operators of commercial solar systems in Puerto Rico. As of early 2017, Sunfarm’s consolidated network developed more than 122 MW of commercial systems.
And it’s not just Sunfarm that’s seen success in the solar industry. Solar energy in the US – and worldwide — continues to grow each year at staggering rates. According to a recent SEIA market research study:
- The US market installed 2,044 MW of solar PV in the first quarter of 2017.
- Solar ranked as the No. 2 source of new electric generating capacity additions brought on-line, totaling 30% in the first quarter of 2017.
- Installed system prices continue to drop across all market segments, with fixed-tilt utility-scale systems dipping under the $1/watt barrier for the first time.
- Total installed US solar PV capacity is expected to nearly triple over the next five years. By 2022, over 17 GW of solar PV capacity will be installed annually.
Despite this progress, not all skies remain sunny in Solar Powerland. Challenges against renewable power alternatives are formidable.
- The current climate change debate on Capitol Hill continues to threaten policy and action.
- Alternative energy providers struggle to survive as tax incentives (a driving force for solar industry growth in the past decade) remain inconsistent from state-to-state.
- Traditional energy lobbyists are still in the fight, gathering political steam to resurrect their core businesses (as with the recent push in the coal industry.)
- Most tangible, a vote in the US Senate is scheduled for this fall that can dramatically impact the cost of solar panel imports. If successful, the new legislation will impose an import tariff that could increase the cost of panels by as much as 25%. Ultimately, such a tariff will increase the cost of solar constructs and the rate of solar electricity. This shift has the potential to make solar less financially attractive as compared to the price of energy produced from fossil fuels, setting us into a renewable rewind. If the vote succeeds, Sunfarm is projecting a significant drop in solar buildouts – the first in decades.
SUN-RISE TO THE CHALLENGE
For those of us who’ve been here from the start, it’s simple: remain focused and vigilant, keep our eyes on the sun, and continue – in all ways possible — to provide renewable solar power at an affordable rate so that businesses can grow and succeed. For our customers at Sunfarm, this growth means more hiring, improved goods and services, innovations in technology and expansion into new markets. In short, more is good – more options, even better.
Sunfarm Solar is proud to have been here from the start. We will stay the course.
ABOUT SUNFARM SOLAR
Since 1999, Sunfarm Solar and its affiliated companies have installed nearly 500 solar energy systems in the commercial, residential, non-profit, education and agriculture markets. Sunfarm Solar focuses on the commercial business marketplace. Additional company information can be found @ sunfarmsolar.com.
Sunfarm Solar is a privately held, New Jersey-based company with operations in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Puerto Rico. Sunfarm offers financing, design, installation, maintenance and operations services for its proprietary systems, as well as for third-party owned systems.
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