Today we’d like to introduce you to James Marlow.
James, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
We found Radiance Solar in 2007. I had spent the past 6 years working for Yahoo! and had ran in special election for United States Congress. After a short sabbatical, I determined that solar was very similar to the personal computer business that I have been part of in the early 1980’s. I meet Jamie Porges my Co-Founder and we went to work creating a business plan, raising Angel funding and creating our first projects.
Founded in 2007 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, Radiance Solar LLC specializes in turnkey solar power installations for commercial, institutional and utility customers.
The company also provides distinct services in system design and engineering, construction, as well as operations & maintenance, solar energy consulting, and large-scale project development. Radiance Solar has installed over 100MW of clean, renewable, solar power at more than 300 sites across the Southeast USA.
Radiance Solar has a proven track record building a wide range of high-performance, value-driven, systems across size, scale and budget. For example, the 20MW project in Camilla, GA was constructed, on budget, from the first pile through commissioning in just under three months to meet the client’s utility interconnection date.
We have built projects for Georgia Tech, Georgia Power, Anheuser-Bush, IKEA, Shaw Carpet, Walton EMC, and Utilities across the southeast.
We have a vertically-integrated construction process, from design through final QA/QC, that allows us to deliver projects of any size on budget and on time. We have never missed a utility interconnection and have a 100% safety record with OSHA.
We lead the industry in driving technical excellence and follow a “built to last” philosophy where we source only Tier 1 warrantied components, upsize key components for real-world conditions, torque every bolt to manufacturers specifications, and protect key conductors and components from harsh effects of sunlight and thermal cycling. This, combined with an unparalleled QA/QC process, ensures that the plants that we build can stand the test of time. This focus on excellence allows our systems to perform at their maximum, delivering a powerful rate of return for our clients and achieving their goals.
Radiance Solar has been awarded ‘Top 100 Solar Contractor’ award in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 as well as the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s ‘University Strong’ award in 2013 for our work with universities around the state. In 2016, Radiance was recognized by INC Magazine as one of the INC 5000 fastest growing companies in America.
With a relentless focus on performance, reliability and safety, we design, engineer and construct the highest-value solar systems in the marketplace today.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We live on what is called the “Solar Coaster” with all the thrills, screams and ups and downs of an early stage/emergent industry and technology. Our business has changed significantly every six months for 10 years requiring pivots and flexibility.
We started the right business at the right time – right technology – wrong state, wrong region.
We are currently in a major battle at the International Trade Commission where two companies want to double the price of solar panels. Governmental policies are extremely important in the solar business.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Radiance Solar – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We design, engineer and install utility, commercial and industrial solar projects. We are highly technical and provide our clients with a strong value proposition. We help them to create affordable, reliable, safe, clean energy with a strong return on investment.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Radiance has had many firsts in the solar energy business – first 1 MW plant in Georgia, first 20 MW plant east of the Mississippi, many first installations for types of panels and inverters.
We continue to expand our business with new technologies like energy storage and expand geographically – we have now built projects in 10 states and one project in Mexico.
Contact Info:
- Address: Radiance Solar
916 Joseph Lowery Blvd
Suite 2 Puritan Mill
Atlanta, GA 30318 - Website: www.radiancesolar.com
- Phone: 404.213.0718
- Email: info@radiancesolar.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RadSolar/
Georgians for Smart Energy Coalition
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