REC Solar
Encyclopedia
REC Solar is an installer of solar electric systems in the United States. The company is focused on providing products and services to support residential, commercial, government and utility scale photovoltaic (PV) installations.
Started in 1997 by Judy Ledford and Fred Sisson in San Luis Obispo County, California, REC Solar has grown to serve California, Oregon, Hawaii, Arizona, Colorado and New Jersey through thirteen local offices. Its photovoltaic array installations are designed and installed by in-house engineers who are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.
In 2008, Mainstream Energy in turn received an investment of $40 million in return for a 20% stake in the company belonging to the Renewable Energy Corporation
of Norway. Known as the REC Group, the Norwegian company manufactures silicon for incorporation in solar cells and modules in plants throughout Europe and in North America. It sells these products worldwide.
In 2007, Mainstream Energy announced that REC Solar had agreed to install large scale commercial solar arrays for Costco wholesale retailer. These arrays were to be placed on four Costco
buildings in western US states, the first being a 680 kW DC installation on the Costco in Kona, Hawaii. These installations are now delivering power.
Larger scale solar power installations have become more economically competitive in an environment of higher energy prices and increasing government incentives. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
includes increases and extensions of a number of tax and subsidy provisions that will enable solar renewable energy projects for Federal buildings, wastewater treatment plants, schools, and most kinds of commercial businesses. A 30% tax credit is available for most residential installations, making payback periods and associated returns on investment competitive.
Included among recent projects, REC Solar installed solar arrays on four campuses of the Poway Unified School District
, located in the San Diego, California metro area. School officials believe these systems will supply about 60% of electricity needs and achieve payback in about 15 years under current energy price assumptions. These renewable energy systems are expected to last years beyond that payback date, with on-going energy production at very low cost.
Started in 1997 by Judy Ledford and Fred Sisson in San Luis Obispo County, California, REC Solar has grown to serve California, Oregon, Hawaii, Arizona, Colorado and New Jersey through thirteen local offices. Its photovoltaic array installations are designed and installed by in-house engineers who are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.
Company history
Mainstream Energy Corporation purchased REC Solar in 2006, combining it with its other company AEE Solar into a renewable energy portfolio. AEE Solar is a large wholesale distributor of solar energy products like solar panels and inverters.In 2008, Mainstream Energy in turn received an investment of $40 million in return for a 20% stake in the company belonging to the Renewable Energy Corporation
Renewable Energy Corporation
The Renewable Energy Corporation is a solar power company with headquarters in Norway. REC produces silicon materials for photovoltaics applications and multicrystalline wafers, as well as solar cells and modules...
of Norway. Known as the REC Group, the Norwegian company manufactures silicon for incorporation in solar cells and modules in plants throughout Europe and in North America. It sells these products worldwide.
In 2007, Mainstream Energy announced that REC Solar had agreed to install large scale commercial solar arrays for Costco wholesale retailer. These arrays were to be placed on four Costco
Costco
Costco Wholesale Corporation is the largest membership warehouse club chain in the United States. it is the third largest retailer in the United States, where it originated, and the ninth largest in the world...
buildings in western US states, the first being a 680 kW DC installation on the Costco in Kona, Hawaii. These installations are now delivering power.
Larger scale solar power installations have become more economically competitive in an environment of higher energy prices and increasing government incentives. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, abbreviated ARRA and commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009 and signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama.To...
includes increases and extensions of a number of tax and subsidy provisions that will enable solar renewable energy projects for Federal buildings, wastewater treatment plants, schools, and most kinds of commercial businesses. A 30% tax credit is available for most residential installations, making payback periods and associated returns on investment competitive.
Included among recent projects, REC Solar installed solar arrays on four campuses of the Poway Unified School District
Poway Unified School District
Poway Unified School District is a school district located in Poway, California. The District operates 25 elementary schools , six middle schools , four comprehensive high schools , and one continuation high school. Twenty-one of its schools are located in the city of San Diego; eleven others in...
, located in the San Diego, California metro area. School officials believe these systems will supply about 60% of electricity needs and achieve payback in about 15 years under current energy price assumptions. These renewable energy systems are expected to last years beyond that payback date, with on-going energy production at very low cost.