Hawaiian solar installer RevoluSun celebrated its 15th anniversary this week. The company began its journey with the goal of building cleaner, smarter, solar communities one rooftop at a time and has now helped 10,000 families and hundreds of businesses go solar + storage.
RevoluSun
“My partners and I started RevoluSun with the intention of revolutionizing Hawaii’s renewable energy sector by offering affordable, reliable solar systems of the highest quality with top-notch service,” said Eric Carlson, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer. “It was a competitive landscape; we knew it was ambitious, but we had grit and an unwavering commitment.”
RevoluSun was established in July of 2009 in a 300-ft2 office in Honolulu’s Chinatown and five employees. It didn’t take long for the company to outgrow that office. RiSE, RevoluSun’s proprietary software and likely the industry’s first solar software for solar professionals was unveiled in 2010, and the company reached its initial milestone of servicing 1,000 customers. In 2012, the team expanded to 40 employees and the company’s first mainland office opened its doors in Waltham, Massachusetts. Poised for continued growth, RevoluSun launched RevoluSun Smart Home in 2014, bringing on new products to better serve its customers. In 2016, the company solidified a formal relationship with Tesla and installed Hawaii’s first Tesla Powerwall energy storage system. Three years later, RevoluSun moved into its current home in Kakaako and built its own Innovation Center and showroom, offering educational initiatives such as free seminars and workshops on solar energy and home improvements. By 2023, the solar provider reached a significant milestone of serving 10,000 residential customers. Today, the company boasts significant contributions in both residential and commercial solar markets, totaling over 109 MW — almost 10% of Oahu’s power grid — and employs over 200 local men and women, providing viable jobs across the islands. The company also holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau since 2013.
In addition to its triumphs and milestones, RevoluSun has a rich history of positive community impact, with involvement in multiple philanthropic initiatives since opening its doors in 2009. Most recently, in the wake of the devastating Maui fires in 2023, the company’s internal giving arm formally transitioned into a 501(c)(3) non-profit to raise funds for families affected by the wildfires. Since establishing Project Empower as a non-profit, RevoluSun has been instrumental in providing solar power, energy storage and air conditioning to Ohana Hope Village, an 88-unit development providing temporary housing for 300 Lahaina residents.
“Fifteen years in the solar industry is like 50 years in another,” joked Carlson. “The fact that we’re still here and thriving after a decade and a half, when so many others have come and gone in this industry, is a true testament to the resilience and dedication of our people. I’m extremely proud of what our team has built and continues to do every day for the future of Hawaii. It’s rewarding and inspiring.”
News item from RevoluSun
