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At GreenSpark Solar, our mission is simple but powerful: we believe that localized clean energy is a cost-effective, market-based solution to combat climate change and a meaningful way to strengthen our communities.
It’s the heartbeat of everything we do.
2025 brought both meaningful progress and real challenges. Shifting policy and market conditions forced difficult decisions, and we felt that impact across our team.
And still, through it all, our commitment to our mission never wavered.
From expanding access to renewable energy to showing up for the communities we serve, 2025 was a year of resilience, reflection, and measurable impact.
Here’s what stood out most.
Helping Our Planet
At the core of our work is a simple goal: accelerate the transition to clean, renewable energy.
This year alone, we installed:
4 MW
rooftop solar for local businesses and homeowners
71 MW
community solar across the Northeast
and monitor and maintain
300+
renewable energy systems
Bringing our all-time total to 350+ MW
4 MW
rooftop solar for local businesses and homeowners
71 MW
community solar across the Northeast
and monitor and maintain
300+
renewable energy systems
Bringing our all-time total to 350+ MW
Project Highlights
Some of the projects we’re most proud of this year include:
Renewable energy infrastructure expansion for the Town of Irondequoit, continuing to support the Town’s clean energy goals with a third solar array and EV chargers.
A 1,100+ panel rooftop solar installation for Foodlink, helping redirect energy savings back into hunger relief efforts for the 10-county region it serves.
A multi-state agrivoltaic community solar portfolio in partnership with Encore Renewable Energy, and the first solar installations for GreenSpark in Vermont.
These projects represent more than megawatts. They represent energy resilience, meaningful cost savings for the organizations and the communities they serve, and progress in combating our climate crisis.
Building and Doing Business Right
Quality:
Not all solar is equal, and at GreenSpark, our work is backed by credible third-party inspections. We were recognized again as a Quality Solar Installer (Gold Status) by the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) for our consistently high-quality installations.
Experience:
We’ve installed more solar than anyone else in our region. We were ranked the top New York State solar installer and the top EPC for community solar in the United States on Solar Power World’s Top Solar Contractors 2025 List.
Care:
Prioritizing people and planet is an ethos we collectively live and work by. In 2025, GreenSpark was honored with the “Values” award at the Rochester Top Workplaces ceremony, and CEO Kevin Schulte was recognized by the Rochester Business Journal on its Power 100 List of Environmental Leaders.
Advocacy That Moves the Industry Forward
Impact at this scale requires policy leadership.
In 2025, we continued to play an active role in shaping the future of renewable energy through:
- Leadership on both the New York Solar Energy Industry Association (NYSEIA) and the Amicus Solar Cooperative Boards (a group of values-driven renewable energy organizations across North America).
- The addition of a dedicated State Policy Director to support education and advocacy efforts, both internally and externally.
Policymaker engagement to support the passage of the Accelerate Solar for Affordable Power (ASAP) Act, a bill that would increase rooftop and community solar deployment in New York to make affordable solar power more accessible. This included everything from rallies in Albany to national-level conversations about the future of solar energy.
Investing in Our Community
Our impact goes beyond the projects we build.
We’re committed to creating a more equitable and sustainable future for the communities we serve, starting right here in Rochester.
Creating Better Access & Opportunity
In May 2025, we relocated our headquarters to East Main Street in downtown Rochester. This move reflects our commitment to the city’s revitalization efforts and creates a more accessible workplace through public transit access—helping us better serve and recruit talent from across the community.
Continuing Workforce Development
Building the clean energy future requires building the workforce behind it.
This year, we expanded our workforce development efforts through:
- A revitalized internship program, where four interns gained hands-on experience across multiple disciplines and specialty interests, including engineering, agrivoltaics, recycling, and battery storage
- An expanded apprenticeship program, welcoming four new apprentices into the field
- Partnerships with local schools, including Wayne Central High School’s Environmental Science class, and continued work with Catholic Charities Family and Community Services (CCFS) YouthBuild program. This year, we hosted more workshops and presentations, as well as a live solar construction site visit, giving students a real-world view of careers in renewable energy.
Providing Community Education & Engagement
Education is a critical part of accelerating clean energy adoption.
Our team remained a regular voice in the community, including appearances on WXXI’s Connections, where we provided transparent, accessible insights into renewable energy, policy changes, and their implications for homeowners and businesses.
Giving Back
And finally, we believe in showing up for our community, not just in words, but in action. In 2025, that included:
- Monetary donations to Foodlink, supporting their mission to provide millions of meals to families in need
- Dry goods donations to the Willow Domestic Violence Center during a critical gap in SNAP assistance
- Volunteer time at Taproot Collective’s First Market Farm, supporting food access, environmental justice, and youth workforce development
Supporting Our People
Everything we do starts with our people.
Our core values continued to guide how we show up—for each other, for our customers, and for our community.
We believe in people. We lead with kindness. We embrace diverse perspectives. We take pride in our work, act with integrity, and always strive to do the right thing.
And just as importantly, we find joy in the work and in each other.
Even in a year that brought change, we remained committed to fostering a culture where people feel supported, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. Where collaboration drives success. And where we hold ourselves accountable to continuous improvement—not just in what we do, but in how we do it.
Supporting Our Team
We show up for our employees by offering more than just a paycheck. Our total rewards approach includes:
- Competitive wages
- Flexible paid time off
- Hybrid work environment
- A dog-friendly office
- Career growth opportunities
- Profit sharing
Because when our team thrives, so does our work.
Making Time to Connect
With team members in the field, in the office, and working remotely, connection takes intention.
Each year, we bring everyone together for our annual company retreat—a full day to reconnect, reflect, and realign on our shared mission. Beyond that, individual teams take time throughout the year to reset and build relationships, whether that’s through bowling nights, boat tours, or a little friendly competition.
And sometimes, it’s just about having fun:
- A snowy winter hike through Durand Eastman Park
- A spring equinox celebration to welcome longer, sunnier days
- Our inaugural Chili Cook-Off (complete with custom wooden spoon trophies and bragging rights)
- Shawn’s annual Thankful Breakfast, where teammates gather over a home-cooked meal and give back through community donations
These moments matter. They strengthen the culture that powers everything else we do.
A Culture of Belonging
At GreenSpark, inclusion isn’t a policy; it’s part of who we are.
We believe that diverse perspectives and lived experiences make us stronger, more creative, and better equipped to serve our community. That’s why we actively foster a culture that embraces differences across gender, race, age, accessibility, sexual orientation, and background.
Recognition That Reflects Our Values
In 2025, we were honored to be named a Rochester Top Workplace for the 7th time—a recognition that speaks directly to the culture we’ve worked hard to build.
Looking Ahead
2025 was a year of big growth, impact, and momentum, and while we’re extremely proud of our collective progress, we’re also not slowing down.
As we look ahead, we remain focused on investing in people, accelerating the transition to renewable energy, combating the climate crisis, and making energy more affordable for all.
Interested in working together?
Want to be a part of our mission?
At GreenSpark Solar, we believe that when people and planet win, we all win.
