May 22 2008
REC Solar, a rapidly growing provider of residential and commercial solar electric systems, today announced that due to attractive incentives available to Colorado businesses it is expanding its Colorado operations to include a commercial division at 9032 Marshall Court in Westminster. In addition to its fast growing residential business, the San Luis Obispo, California-based company will also begin offering commercial solar electric installations to businesses throughout the state.
“REC Solar is excited about expanding our presence in Colorado and working with businesses that see the triple bottom line benefits of solar,” said Angiolo Laviziano, CEO of REC Solar. “For the past three years the solar industry in the United States has grown an average of 40% each year. However, REC Solar expects to see a 275% increase in its business in Colorado. With its terrific incentives and progressive populace, Colorado is poised to be a solar leader—creating green-collar jobs that boost the economy and benefit the environment.”
Currently REC Solar has over a dozen full-time employees in Colorado and is projecting a significant increase in solar installations in the state. The company also expects to more than double personnel in 2008 and is actively looking to hire in the state.
“Colorado’s commitment to solar energy started with the passage of Amendment 37 and has grown under the leadership of Governor Bill Ritter, the State Legislature and Xcel Energy,” said Laviziano. “With 300 days of sunshine a year and a political and business climate that encourages renewables, we believe Colorado is positioned to be a true leader in the new energy economy.”
In 2004, voters in Colorado approved Amendment 37, a renewable energy portfolio standard that required the state's largest utilities to obtain 10 percent of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2015—the first and only time in U.S. history that a standard was ratified by voters rather than processed through a State's Legislature. Since then, State Legislators have doubled the renewable requirement, and state and local governments have taken additional steps to encourage solar and renewable development.
“Colorado consumers and businesses are savvy about solar,” said Cary Hayes, Colorado Sales Manager for REC Solar. “Our goal is to expand our services to provide Colorado businesses with a simple one-stop process to install solar electric systems.”
“From financing to design and installation, we help businesses realize generous financial returns from solar,” Hayes added.