Energy Independent Solutions

What Energy Independent Solutions does

Energy Independent Solutions (operating as EIS Solar) is a Pittsburgh-based solar energy engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm founded in 2008. The company designs and installs solar photovoltaic systems — including grid-tied and off-grid solar electric, solar hot water, battery storage, parking canopies, and microgrid solutions — for four primary customer segments: residential, commercial/industrial, agricultural, and municipal/non-profit. Installations leverage monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and bifacial panel technologies, paired with microinverters (Enphase), string inverters (Fronius, SMA, SolarEdge), and Tesla Powerwall 3 battery storage. The company emphasizes building-integrated durability practices such as flashing on every roof penetration and 2-4 inch array clearance for convective cooling. All residential work is performed by in-house NABCEP-certified crews with no subcontractors, and the firm maintains REC Certified Solar Professional status for extended warranty coverage.

The business model is asset-light installation services plus hardware pass-through, supplemented by power purchase agreements (PPAs) for customers who prefer not to purchase systems outright and grant/incentive application services covering federal ITC (up to 60% commercial, 30% residential), SRECs, MACRS depreciation, and REAP grants up to 35% for agricultural clients. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with reported payback periods of 5-6 years for commercial and 7-10 years for residential systems. The go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales supported by a referral-heavy strategy: Solarize neighborhood group discounts, multi-platform review presence (Google 5.0, Facebook 4.8, SolarReviews 4.64), EnergySage marketplace listing, and active provision of client references. Geographic reach now spans 7 states + DC for commercial work (PA, OH, MI, WV, NJ, MD, DC), while residential remains concentrated in Western PA.

EIS has built a flagship project portfolio that includes the 3.6 MW Pittsburgh International Airport landfill microgrid (the world's first self-powered airport), a 3.4 MW parking canopy at FedEx Ground World HQ, and the 651 kW Atlantic Terrace community solar array in Washington DC. These marquee installations anchor the commercial pipeline and produce millions of kWh annually for institutional customers. Over 1,000 projects have been completed since founding, and the firm positions itself as the most experienced solar installer in the Pittsburgh market under founder/owner-operator leadership with no institutional capital, parent company, or external equity disclosed.

Name

Energy Independent Solutions

Legal name

Energy Independent Solutions

Website

https://eissolar.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Energy Independent Solutions is a Pittsburgh-based solar EPC firm founded in 2008 that designs and installs photovoltaic systems, battery storage, and microgrid solutions for residential, commercial, agricultural, and municipal customers across seven states plus DC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Energy Systems Installation

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar PV Power Plant EPC (Utility-Scale) (EUAEAAAG), Solar Project Development & IPP (Utility-Scale & Rooftop) (EUAMABAA), Microgrid Development, EPC & Integration (EUAMAJAB), Solar Grid Integration & Interconnection Services (Studies, Protection, SCADA, Forecasting) (EUAMABAI)

Keywords

• Solar panel installation
• Commercial solar
• Residential solar
• Battery storage systems
• Solar energy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Solar Panel and Equipment Sales: Sale of solar panels, inverters, batteries, racking systems, and related equipment to customers for installation on their properties. Equipment includes monocrystalline/polycrystalline panels, Fronius/SMA/SolarEdge inverters, Enphase microinverters, and Tesla Powerwall batteries.
2. Installation Services: Professional installation of solar systems including residential roof/ground mounts, commercial installations, agricultural setups, and municipal projects. Includes all electrical work, mounting, and system commissioning performed by in-house NABCEP certified crews.
3. Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): Company offers power purchase agreements for customers who prefer not to purchase systems outright. Customers pay for energy generated at negotiated rates rather than upfront equipment costs.
4. Grant and Incentive Application Services: Assists commercial, agricultural, and non-profit customers with applying for federal tax credits (ITC up to 60%), SRECs, MACRS depreciation, and agricultural REAP grants up to 35% of project costs.
5. Solar Hot Water Systems: Installation of solar thermal systems that collect heat from the sun and transfer it to domestic hot water supply, replacing conventional water heaters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Energy Independent Solutions (EIS Solar) is a Pittsburgh-based solar panel installation contractor that designs, engineers, permits, and installs grid-tied and off-grid solar photovoltaic systems, Tesla Powerwall 3 battery storage, solar hot water systems, and microgrid solutions for residential, commercial, agricultural, and municipal/non-profit customers across Western Pennsylvania and selected mid-Atlantic and Midwest states. Revenue is generated through equipment sales, professional installation labor performed by in-house NABCEP- and REC-certified crews (no residential subcontractors), and Power Purchase Agreements. The company also assists commercial, agricultural, and non-profit customers with federal ITC, SREC, MACRS depreciation, and REAP grant applications.

Product overview

Energy Independent Solutions (EIS Solar) is a solar panel installation company offering a portfolio of solar energy products and services. The core offerings include Commercial Solar, Residential Solar, Agricultural Solar, and Municipal/Non-Profit Solar installation services. These are supported by add-on modules including Tesla Powerwall 3 Battery backup systems and Solar Hot Water Systems. The company also provides specialized sub-products like Solar Parking Canopies and Off-Grid Solar Systems. All offerings are installed by the company's own NABCEP-certified crews without subcontractors, with services spanning design, engineering, permits, utility approvals, and inspections.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Solar Solar panel installation for homes including roof, ground, and canopy configurations. Systems are designed and installed by in-house NABCEP certified crews without subcontractors, with all design, engineering, permits, utility approvals, and inspections handled by EIS. Residential systems typically pay for themselves in 7-10 years and qualify for the 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit.
• Commercial Solar Solar panel installation services for commercial properties, including roof mounts, ground mounts, solar canopies, and custom steel structures. Commercial solutions pay for themselves in 5-6 years with 30%+ tax credit, accelerated depreciation, SRECs, and low-interest financing available. Account executives provide project management from design through commissioning.
• Agricultural Solar Solar installations for farms including roof, ground, canopy and custom configurations. Provides energy independence for agricultural operations with the 30% federal tax credit and SREC revenue retention. EIS assists farms with accessing REAP grants up to 35% of project costs.
• Municipal / Non-Profit Solar Solar installations for municipalities, schools, and non-profit organizations including roof, ground, canopies, and custom structures. Offers Power Purchase Agreements and tax-exempt equipment purchases, with assistance utilizing IRA Direct Pay of the ITC for non-profits. Typical 5-6 year ROI and 15-18% IRR.
• Tesla Powerwall 3 Battery System Home battery backup system with integrated solar inverter providing whole-home backup protection during grid outages. Systems can be expanded by stacking up to 10 units, with flood-resistant design and seamless grid-to-backup transition. Available as an add-on to residential solar installations.
• Solar Hot Water Systems Solar thermal systems that collect heat from the sun and transfer it to domestic hot water supply using circulating pumps, replacing conventional water heaters. Targeted at residential and commercial customers looking to reduce hot water heating energy costs.
• Solar Parking Canopies Custom solar canopy structures that provide shade for vehicles while generating solar power. Engineered as part of commercial solar solutions for parking lots and garages, including airport, corporate HQ, and multi-tenant garage deployments.
• Off-Grid Solar Systems Complete off-grid solar powered home solutions including battery storage and whole-house generators for properties seeking full energy independence from the utility grid.

Quantifiable outcome

• Commercial solar systems typically achieve ROI in 5-6 years
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and flagship.

• TeslacoreTechnology or IntegrationEIS Solar exclusively partners with Tesla to provide Powerwall 3 home battery systems in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. The partnership provides EIS customers with Tesla's latest home battery technology featuring integrated solar inverter, whole-home backup protection, and seamless grid outage transition. Powerwall 3 systems can be expanded by stacking up to 10 units.
• REC SolarsupportingTechnology or IntegrationEIS Solar is REC Certified Solar Professional - selected to undergo REC's installer certification program. This certification provides access to REC ProTrust Warranty package including 25-year product warranty and up to 25-year labor coverage for customers. REC is a leading solar panel manufacturer founded in 1996 in Norway.
• EnergySagesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEIS Solar is an approved EnergySage installer - pre-screened and listed on EnergySage's competitive marketplace platform where customers can compare solar quotes.
• Allegheny County / Pittsburgh International AirportflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEIS Solar partnered with Pittsburgh International Airport to build the world's first self-powered airport microgrid. This 3.6MW installation on a former landfill produces 4.5 million kWh/year, saving taxpayers $10's of thousands monthly. This landmark project established the airport as the world's first 100% self-powered airport.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• ReVision Energy: Employee-owned solar installer in the Northeast U.S. (Maine/New Hampshire) with residential, commercial, and institutional (school/municipal) specialization. Comparable segment mix and installer-EPC business model, though operating in a different (New England) region.

Broad incumbents

• Sunrun: Largest U.S. residential solar, battery, and energy services company. Competes with EIS on residential solar and Tesla Powerwall attach in every state EIS operates (PA, OH, MI, NJ, MD), with vastly larger capital base, lease/PPA product suite, and marketing reach.
• ADT Solar (now Sunpro Solar): National residential and commercial solar installer operating across many of the same states as EIS (OH, MI, NJ, MD). Provides direct competition in residential and small commercial, with greater capital and lead-generation scale.
• Tesla Energy: Tesla's solar and Powerwall business is both a supplier (EIS partners for Powerwall 3) and a competitor. Tesla's direct-to-consumer solar offering competes with EIS for residential and commercial projects in PA, OH, NJ, and MD, while also functioning as the upstream battery partner.

Direct peers

• Solar Optimum: Residential and commercial solar installer with Powerwall integration and similar residential-plus-commercial GTM. Comparable product set (PV + battery + Tesla Powerwall) and overlap in regional expansion strategy toward multi-state commercial work.
• Paradise Energy Solutions: Pennsylvania-headquartered solar installer serving residential, agricultural, commercial, and municipal customers across the Mid-Atlantic. Closest geographic and segment peer to EIS — both emphasize in-house crews, NABCEP certification, REAP grant expertise, and farm/commercial specialization in PA.
• Trinity Solar: One of the largest privately held residential solar installers in the U.S., headquartered in the Northeast with strong Mid-Atlantic presence. Direct competitor for EIS's residential and small commercial business in NJ, MD, and PA, with a similar in-house sales and installation approach.
• GreenBrilliance: Mid-Atlantic-based solar EPC offering residential, commercial, and government solar installations. Comparable service portfolio (residential + commercial + government) and geographic overlap in MD, VA, NJ, and DC markets where EIS is expanding.
• Freedom Forever: National residential and commercial solar installer with a vertically integrated sales-to-installation model. Directly comparable on residential and small-commercial installation offering; much larger scale but overlapping GTM motion in states where EIS has expanded (PA, NJ, MD).
• Exact Solar: Pennsylvania-based residential and small commercial solar installer covering the same Western PA / Mid-Atlantic footprint as EIS. Competes head-to-head for residential and small commercial projects with a similar NABCEP-credentialed, in-house crew model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EISSolar
• Facebookfacebook.com/ENERGYINDEPENDENTSOLUTIONS

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Energy Independent Solutions