May 2018 | GreenSpark

Rochester Commercial Solar Real Estate Benefits

Things are about to get real in California’s real estate industry. In a bold push towards increased sustainability, the five-member California Energy Commission recently voted in favor of requiring solar panels on the construction of most new homes. The new mandate won’t take effect for another two years, however it’s already making waves throughout the Golden State’s construction, real estate, and solar industries. California has long been considered a national leader and trendsetter in clean energy initiatives, and this most recent piece of legislation is aimed to set the bar even higher. Although it will add thousands of dollars to…

Why Solar Makes Sense for Sustainable Landscaping in Rochester

Solar energy is being used to power life on Earth in a number of new and exciting ways – from homes, to businesses, to farms, and even flights around the world. And it keeps getting better. As solar technology continues to improve and become even more accessible, solar energy is being used in a variety of new applications, such as lighting for sustainable landscape designs. What is sustainable landscaping and why is it important? Sustainable landscaping was born from increasing environmental concerns and includes a series of strategic methods designed to reduce environmental impact while preserving the overall aesthetic and…

Oh Hail No: How Well Do Solar Panels Fare in Unfair Weather?

Our region experiences a range of seasonal weather conditions, which is just one of many reasons why Western NY is so beautiful. We get it all – from picture perfect summer days to cold, snowy winters and almost everything in between. Whether they're roof mounted or on the ground, solar energy systems are tough enough to withstand all of the above while continuing to generate clean, money-saving energy. They’re designed with the elements in mind, which means they can handle pretty much anything Mother Nature has in store. Here’s how well solar panels hold up in gnarly, unpredictable Western New…

5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Solar Energy

The Sun has the power to meet – and exceed – the energy demands of modern life, while preserving the environment we all rely on; an environment that’s currently threatened by pollution, climate change, and the rapid consumption of precious natural resources. While solar may not be able to solve all of the environmental challenges we face, it still has an enormous amount of potential in providing practical, cost saving energy solutions that protect the health of our planet. And that’s a pretty big start. You may already know a few things about solar and the sun, but did you…

George McConochie, Chief Operating Officer

George McConochie, Chief Operating Officer George founded GreenSpark with his best friends in 2002. Since then he’s held numerous jobs. From building and climbing towers, to writing grants, managing projects, negotiating contracts, and working to ensure that our company is a positive force in our community, for our people, and our planet. Named the Chief Operating Officer in 2008, George manages the growth of the company. His work includes increasing employment by more than 70% and leading the charge to gain our B-Corp Certification. He is tasked with the development of our people power – translating their energy, intelligence and…

Ernie Pritchard, Director of Customer Care

Ernie founded GreenSpark with his best friends in 2002. While he has done almost every job at GreenSpark over the past fifteen years, his favorite place to be is to be helping people. That is why Ernie is our Director of Customer Care - the best of our company, helping new customers learn about their solar energy systems and remaining on call for years after systems are installed. Ernie manages all aspects of the residential installation process and, with his team, completes the process at each customer’s home, making sure they are happy and familiar with their new solar energy…

Kevin Schulte, Chief Executive Officer

Kevin Schulte, Chief Executive Officer Kevin co-founded GreenSpark Solar in 2002 and was named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2008. By 2015, he led the company to become the 11th fastest-growing business in Rochester and reached the number one spot on the Rochester Chamber of Commerce's Fastest Growing Companies in 2017 and 2023. Kevin currently serves on the Amicus Solar Cooperative and the New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) boards. Kevin is recognized locally, statewide, and nationally for his contributions to the growth of the distributed solar & wind industry, with over 200 MW of solar projects installed across…

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