SolarWorld Industries America and eSolar snagged the two top spots in this year’s Alternative Energy Providers list, which is ranked by the number of greater Valley employees. Camarillo-based SolarWorld ranked first with 250 people at its U.S. sales and marketing group headquarters. The company, a worldwide solar panel manufacturer, is working on a solar project with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to power more than 85,000 homes in Los Angeles, said company spokesman Ben Santarris. Ranking second, eSolar employs 70 people at its Burbank location. The company develops concentrated solar power on a utility scale. CEO John Van Scoter said eSolar has partnered with a company in India to build large solar power plants over the next 10 years. The company also has received $10.8 million from the Department of Energy to design, build and test a molten salt power plant using concentrated solar power, he said. CoolPlanet BioFuels, based in Camarillo, falls into third place with 35 employees. The company develops negative carbon fuels based on plant photosynthesis, which absorb carbon from the air. REC Solar Inc. and Solar Unlimited finish out the top five companies at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. REC is based in North Hollywood with 25 local employees. It provides solar electric design and installation, technology, equipment and financing for residential and commercial customers. Despite a challenging economic climate, business continues to grow, said John Bumgarner, REC Solar’s regional sales manager. REC Solar started in 1996 with one branch and a handful of employees. Now it has more than 12 branches with about 600 employees, Bumgarner said. “We have installed more solar panels in 2010 than in 2009,” he said. As the solar industry continues to gain traction, business at REC Solar will grow, Bumgarner said. “I expect to double our footprint in the next five years in terms of branch locations,” he said. Solar Unlimited, based in Burbank, employs 20 people. Ranked at No.5, the company provides solar pool heaters, pool accessories and pool maintence services. Remaining companies on the top 10 list include Solar Choice Solutions in Agoura Hills with 18 employees; California Green Designs in Tarzana with 17 employees; Solar Universe in Westlake Village with 12 employees; Digital Energy in Westlake Village with 11 employees; A. Giddens Electric, Inc. in Burbank with nine employees. A. Giddens Electric, Inc. has a bright future ahead, said Rob Hansen, the company’s general manager. The company, which ranked tenth, started in 1941 as a traditional electrical company. A. Giddens began exploring the solar industry two years ago. The company has dealt with economic challenges and also has had to educate customers about how solar energy works, Hansen said. But by targeting small- to medium-sized commercial customers, business has become more positive, he said. “We have several jobs in the pipeline that are extremely attractive for us,” Hansen said. “It has been an uphill climb, but the outlook looks extremely good.” Download the 2011 SFV’s ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PROVIDERS list (pdf)
