What Arch Electric does

Arch Electric, Inc. is a Wisconsin-based, vertically integrated solar PV installer and operator founded in 2003 by Ed and Mindy Zinthefer in Plymouth, WI. The company designs, installs, and commissions grid-tied and off-grid solar PV systems, battery storage (Tesla Powerwall, Franklin Whole Home), EV charging, and ancillary services for residential, commercial, industrial, utility, nonprofit, and agricultural customers across Wisconsin and the broader Midwest, with three offices (Plymouth HQ, Milwaukee, Madison) and O&M coverage extending into the continental U.S.

The core technology stack centers on SolarEdge, Enphase, and Tesla inverter and storage hardware, integrated into Arch's branded Active Monitoring platform that combines telemetry across vendors into desktop and mobile apps. The company added drone-based services in 2019 — including topographical mapping, 3D rooftop modeling, shade analysis, and IEC TS 62446-3-compliant infrared thermography inspections — meeting recognized utility-grade inspection standards. The Arch O&M division manages 700+ MW DC across 80+ locations, including a single 450 MW DC site.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time project fees on residential and commercial installations, supplemented by recurring subscription revenue from Active Monitoring plans ($48-$69/month), O&M contracts, and per-project drone inspection fees (aerial imagery $160, rooftop modeling $300, commercial/utility thermography starting at $890). Go-to-market is sales-led and community-led: free-estimate consultative sales for SMB and residential buyers; enterprise field sales for healthcare, retail, government, and utility accounts; and long-running group buy programs (Grow Solar Greater Milwaukee, MadiSUN, Greening Greater Racine) that aggregate residential demand. The company restructured in 2022 into five business units (Arch Solar residential, Arch Solar C&I, Arch O&M, plus Arch Renewables utility and Arch Sustainability farm) and remains founder-owned, family-owned, women-owned, and veteran-founded with no disclosed external institutional capital.

Name

Arch Electric

Legal name

Arch Electric, Inc.

Website

https://archelec.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Arch Electric is a Wisconsin-based, vertically integrated solar PV installer and operator founded in 2003. It serves residential, commercial, industrial, utility, and nonprofit customers with design, installation, battery storage, and O&M services managing 700+ MW DC across 80+ Midwest locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Installation Services

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Electrical Work (1731)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Asset Management & Owner’s Engineering (Lifecycle Strategy, Budgeting, Technical Due Diligence) (EUAMAGAJ), Distributed Storage (Behind-the-Meter Batteries) (EUAMAJAE)

Keywords

• Solar pv installation
• Commercial solar construction
• Solar operations maintenance
• Energy storage systems
• Drone thermography inspection

Headquarters

HQ city

Astoria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Residential Solar Installation: One-time installation of solar PV systems for homeowners, including design, permitting, and installation services. Revenue from upfront project fees based on system size and complexity.
2. Commercial & Industrial Solar Installation: Large-scale solar installations for businesses, government, and healthcare organizations. Project-based revenue from system design and construction.
3. Operations & Maintenance Services: Ongoing O&M services for solar arrays including monitoring, repairs, and performance analysis. Monthly or annual subscription plans for monitoring and support.
4. Energy Storage & Battery Systems: Installation of battery backup systems including Tesla Powerwall and Franklin Whole Home. Standalone battery installations or bundled with solar systems.
5. Drone Services: Drone-based imaging, inspection, and modeling services for solar projects including infrared inspections, rooftop modeling, and aerial imagery on a per-project basis.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Arch Electric is a vertically integrated solar energy company that designs, installs, and maintains photovoltaic (PV) systems for residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale customers across Wisconsin. The company operates five business units delivering end-to-end capabilities — including system design, permitting, installation, energy storage (Tesla Powerwall, Franklin Whole Home), drone-based inspection, and ongoing operations and maintenance across 700+ MW DC of managed solar assets.

Product overview

Arch Electric operates as a vertically integrated solar energy company with five business units serving residential, commercial, and utility markets across Wisconsin. The core offering consists of Arch Solar (residential) and Arch Solar C&I (commercial & industrial) divisions providing solar panel installation, while the Arch O&M division handles ongoing operations and maintenance for 700+ MW DC across 80+ locations. Additional modules include Energy Storage solutions (Tesla Powerwall, Franklin Whole Home), Drone Services for inspection and assessment, EV Charging installation, and Service & Quality Management with monitoring apps combining Enphase, SolarEdge, and Tesla platforms. The company also facilitates Solar Group Buy programs for residential customers seeking collective pricing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Arch Solar C&I: Commercial and Industrial solar installation services division
• Arch O&M
• Arch Sustainability

Products and services

• Residential Solar (Arch Solar) Grid-tied and battery-integrated residential solar PV installation service for Wisconsin homeowners, including design, permitting, installation, and 20+ years of in-house expertise.
• Commercial & Industrial Solar (Arch Solar C&I) Custom commercial and industrial solar installation service for businesses, government, healthcare, religious, and nonprofit organizations across Wisconsin, supporting ESG and energy-cost reduction goals.
• Utility Solar Large-scale renewable energy projects and massive solar fields, including the Butter Solar Portfolio and the four-concurrent-project Mastodon Portfolio in Wisconsin.
• Operations & Maintenance (Arch O&M) Comprehensive performance analysis and maintenance services for solar sites from 1-100 MW across the continental US, covering monitoring, repairs, and asset representation with 700+ MW DC under management.
• Energy Storage & Battery Backup Installation of backup battery systems including Tesla Powerwall (13.5 kWh) and Franklin Whole Home (13.6 kWh) for home backup power, outage protection, and energy independence.
• Drone Services Drone-based aerial photography, 3D rooftop modeling, shade analysis, and infrared thermography inspections meeting IEC TS 62446-3 standards for utility, commercial, and residential PV systems.
• EV Charging Solutions Electric vehicle charging installation for homes and businesses, often integrated with on-site solar systems to support green commuting.
• Service & Quality Management Post-installation services including Arch Care Plan, Active Monitoring Plan subscription, remote troubleshooting, system monitoring app, workmanship warranty, and removal/replacement services.
• Solar Group Buy Programs Community group buy partnerships including Grow Solar Greater Milwaukee (339+ properties since 2013) and MadiSUN Madison (323+ homes) enabling homeowners to access group pricing on solar systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• 700+ MW DC of O&M Service capacity
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Milwaukee BucksminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Sustainability partnership providing Bucks fans with information about solar solutions for residential and commercial spaces. Seen in Milwaukee's community spaces spreading word about solar and sustainable practices.
• Madison MallardsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Multi-year partnership since 2023. Arch sponsors the Arch Solar Front Gate and Arch Solar Suites. As a veteran-founded business, Arch also sponsors the Mallard's Military Appreciation Night annually.
• IKEAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2017Partnership to install 1.62MW system on IKEA Wisconsin store rooftop, leading to additional IKEA rooftop projects in Illinois. Project earned Excellence in Quality and Safety designation by REC Solar.
• Renew WisconsincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVoice for renewable energy progress in Wisconsin. Annual sponsors and guest lecturers at the RENEW Summit in Madison. Chosen installer of the MadiSUN Group Buy program sponsored by RENEW Wisconsin and the City of Madison.
• Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMREA provides unbiased renewable energy knowledge to customers and continuing education classes for staff. Partnership on cornerstone programs including Grow Solar Greater Milwaukee and Grow Solar for Humanity. Sponsor of Milwaukee Solar Group Buy program.
• Focus on EnergycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFocus on Energy Certified Trade Ally, vetted as premiere solar construction company in Wisconsin. Involved in campaign to introduce students to the trades through promotional videos and career fairs. Offers $500-$1,000 rebates to Wisconsin customers.
• Amicus Solar Co-OperativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelective member-owned cooperative of 80 high-quality, independent, values-driven solar companies. Arch shares best practices with other ethical installers across the country and maintains mission values through cooperative structure.
• Couillard Solar FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit helping Wisconsin schools and nonprofits gain access to solar through Solar On Schools and Solar For Good grants. Arch has installed projects through both grant programs and continues to support as opportunities arise.
• Habitat for HumanitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSelected installer for Grow Solar for Humanity program in 2022. Installed solar on 50+ Habitat for Humanity homes in Wisconsin, ensuring energy bill savings for families who benefit most. Collective impact reduced energy bills by at least $50,000 in first year.
• MadiSUN Solar Energy ProgramcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDane County group buy program offering collective discount to property owners. Arch has been chosen installer since 2022, providing solar access to 323 local homes through the program.
• Hunger Task ForceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHunger Task Force's 89kW solar array helps offset freezer costs keeping meal options viable. Arch partners on employee volunteer days packing food boxes for the community.
• Grow Solar Greater MilwaukeecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLongest running residential group buy program in the state. Arch has been selected installer for over a decade. Together provided solar arrays to hundreds of Milwaukee residents with maximum savings.
• Greening Greater RacineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSoutheast Wisconsin Solar Group Buy program partnership, installing 24 solar arrays in Racine, Kenosha, and Walworth counties.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ReVision Energy: Maine-based regional solar installer providing residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar PV installation with vertically integrated capabilities. Closely comparable in mission-driven positioning, technical certifications, and full-lifecycle service offerings.
• All Energy Solar: Iowa-based regional solar EPC installer serving residential and commercial customers across the Midwest with similar vertically integrated design, installation, and service capabilities. Comparable size and market positioning to Arch Electric's Wisconsin operations.
• Namaste Solar: Employee-owned Colorado-based solar installer offering residential and commercial solar PV installation with similar emphasis on ethical operations, NABCEP certifications, and vertically integrated delivery. Operates as a comparable regional solar contractor in a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• Sunrun: National residential solar installer and lease/PPA provider operating across the US including the Midwest, offering standardized installation, financing, and battery storage products that increasingly compete in Wisconsin markets.
• SunPower: National solar manufacturer and installer offering premium residential and commercial solar systems across the US, with strong brand recognition and integrated hardware-software stack that competes with Arch's premium positioning.
• Blue Raven Solar: National residential solar installer headquartered in Utah with aggressive in-house financing offerings and rapid expansion into Midwestern markets, competing directly for Wisconsin residential customers.
• Mortenson Construction: Large national EPC contractor with significant utility-scale wind and solar practice, directly competing with Arch's utility-scale division for large developer RFPs across the Midwest.
• Tesla Energy: National provider of Solar Roof and Powerwall battery systems with vertically integrated hardware and energy services, increasingly competing in residential solar with branded, integrated product offerings.
• McCarthy Building Companies: Large national construction and EPC firm with a significant renewable energy practice, regularly competing with Arch for utility-scale solar and energy storage construction contracts across the Midwest.
• Signal Energy: Utility-scale wind and solar EPC contractor with capabilities for large renewable energy projects across the US, directly overlapping with Arch's Butter Solar and Mastodon Portfolio utility-scale work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Arch_Electric
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQMR6C6gCTqtphnDijxBWIA
• Facebookfacebook.com/archelectric
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arch-electric-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/arch_solar

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arch Electric