Western Solar
Western Solar is a Bellingham, Washington-based solar PV and energy storage installer serving residential, commercial, and community customers across the Pacific Northwest with an all-in-house team and no subcontractors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersBellingham, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Western Solar does
Western Solar, Inc. is a privately held solar PV and energy storage installer headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, founded in 2004 and operating across the Pacific Northwest. The company delivers custom-designed residential solar systems, commercial installations (including multi-building deployments such as the Bellingham Public Schools pipeline), and community solar projects, with ancillary battery integration spanning FranklinWH, Sigenergy, Enphase, Tesla Powerwall, SPAN, and T3 Energy hardware.
Its technical approach centers on LIDAR-based shading analysis combined with on-site visits and design software that models irradiance and weather, used to right-size systems that target up to 100% offset of customer electricity usage. A vertically integrated in-house team of licensed electricians, roofers, and designers executes every install with no subcontractors, supported by structured post-installation service that includes monitoring, repairs, panel cleaning (priced at $200-$250 per service across four counties), and up to 25-year material and labor warranties.
The business model is predominantly one-time project revenue from solar and battery installations under a direct-to-consumer sales motion, supplemented by a recurring maintenance and cleaning service stream and by community-led engagement (Solar 101 workshops, PSE grant administration). Customer segments span residential homeowners, commercial and small businesses, community organizations and nonprofits (often grant-funded), and REAP-eligible rural operators, with no disclosed outside institutional ownership or funding rounds.
Western Solar firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Western Solar
- Legal name
- Western Solar, Inc.
- Website
- https://westernsolarinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Western Solar is a Bellingham, Washington-based solar PV and energy storage installer serving residential, commercial, and community customers across the Pacific Northwest with an all-in-house team and no subcontractors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Western Solar industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Solar Installation Services
- NAICS
- Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Roofing Contractors (238160), Home and Garden Equipment Repair and Maintenance (811411)
- SIC
- Electrical Work (1731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Solar Panel Cleaning (HSAEAJAL), Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems (IMADAFAO), Solar Design, Engineering & Performance Software (PV Modeling, Digital Twins, Monitoring) (EUAMABAH), Solar Balance-of-System Components (Cables, Combiner Boxes, Switchgear, Transformers) (EUAMABAG)
Keywords
Where Western Solar is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bellingham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Western Solar business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Solar Installation Services: Revenue generated from the sale and installation of custom residential, commercial, and community solar PV systems. Systems are sized to offset up to 100% of annual electricity usage.
- Energy Storage / Battery Systems: Sale and installation of home battery systems integrated with solar installations for backup power and energy optimization.
- Solar Panel Cleaning & Maintenance Services: Professional cleaning and maintenance services for solar panels across Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, and Island counties in Washington.
- System Service & Warranty Support: Post-installation service and maintenance including system monitoring, repairs, and warranty support. Western Solar offers up to 25-year warranties on materials and labor.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Solar Panel Cleaning - Whatcom County |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Solar Panel Cleaning - Skagit County |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Solar Panel Cleaning - Snohomish County |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Solar Panel Cleaning - Island County |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Western Solar product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Western Solar designs, installs, and services custom solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and home battery energy storage for residential and commercial customers across the Pacific Northwest. All project work — electrical, roofing, and design — is performed in-house by their team with no subcontractors, and each system is sized using LIDAR-based shading analysis and on-site assessment. The company also provides professional solar panel cleaning and long-term maintenance under warranties of up to 25 years on materials and labor.
Product overview
Western Solar is a solar installation company offering a unified suite of services for residential and commercial customers in the Pacific Northwest. The core offerings include Residential Solar (custom-designed solar systems), Energy Storage (home battery systems), and Commercial Solar (scalable business installations). These are supported by ancillary services including professional panel cleaning and maintenance with extended warranties up to 25 years. The company operates as a single-service provider rather than a modular software platform, delivering end-to-end solar solutions from consultation through long-term support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Residential Solar Custom-designed solar PV systems for homeowners including site assessment, system design, professional in-house installation (electricians and roofers), and ongoing maintenance; systems are sized to offset up to 100% of annual electricity usage. Targeted at Pacific Northwest homeowners seeking to reduce electricity costs and add energy independence.
- Energy Storage Home battery systems (FranklinWH, Sigenergy, Enphase, Tesla Powerwall, SPAN, T3 Energy) integrated with solar PV for backup power and energy optimization. Includes full manufacturer warranty coverage through certified-installer partnerships. Targeted at residential and commercial customers seeking energy resilience during outages.
- Commercial Solar Scalable solar PV installations for businesses, public-sector entities, and community organizations that lower operating costs and support long-term sustainability goals, including single-building and multi-building deployments. Includes integration with USDA REAP grants for rural small businesses. Targeted at commercial customers, public schools (e.g., Bellingham Public Schools), and rural businesses.
- Solar Panel Cleaning Service Professional cleaning service to maximize energy production efficiency of installed solar panels, priced per cleaning and tiered by county (Whatcom $200, Skagit $230, Snohomish $250, Island $250); rates may vary by roof pitch, access, and location. Targeted at existing Western Solar customers and other solar owners across Pacific Northwest Washington counties.
- Solar System Maintenance and Service Ongoing post-installation maintenance and service for installed solar and battery systems, including system monitoring, repairs, troubleshooting, and warranty support with up to 25-year coverage on materials and labor. Targeted at existing Western Solar customers across the Pacific Northwest.
- Additional Solar Services (Ductless Heat Pump Installation and Related) Additional energy-related installation services including ductless heat pump installation and other complementary offerings for Western Solar customers seeking comprehensive home energy upgrades. Targeted at existing and prospective residential customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Save approximately $4,800 annually (for nonprofit/commercial installations)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Western Solar
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Western Solar technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Western Solar partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Port of BellinghamcoreWestern Solar partnered with the Port of Bellingham, Puget Sound Energy, Silfab Solar, and Cascadia Renewables to bring a community solar project to Fisherman's Pavilion on the Bellingham waterfront.
- Puget Sound EnergycoreCollaborated with PSE on the Fisherman's Pavilion community solar project. PSE administers net metering programs and grant funding ($900,000+ distributed across Washington) that Western Solar helps customers access.
- Cascadia RenewablesminorCollaborated with Western Solar on the Fisherman's Pavilion community solar project.
- Birch EquipmentminorWestern Solar's installation crew completed aerial lift and telehandler training at Birch Equipment in Bellingham, WA, led by Birch's professional instructors.
- RE SourcesminorPSE grant recipient for solar panel installation on RE Sources' building. The panels will provide over half the electricity usage for the RE Store.
- Nooksack Valley Food BankminorPSE grant recipient receiving approximately $73,000 in funding to install solar panels. Expected to save roughly $4,800 annually, with savings redirected to community programs.
- YWCA BellinghamminorPSE grant recipient receiving solar panel installation funding as part of Whatcom County solar energy initiative.
- Washington Solar Energy Industries Association (WASEIA)coreWestern Solar is an active member and contributor to WASEIA. General Manager Eric Blatz serves on WASEIA's board and policy committee, helping shape solar consumer protection legislation.
- Solar Installers of WashingtoncoreWestern Solar is a contributing member of Solar Installers of Washington, the state's solar installer trade organization and lobbying group.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Western Solar competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- A&R Solar: Portland, Oregon-based residential and commercial solar installer serving the Pacific Northwest since 2001. Closely comparable in scope (residential + commercial PV + battery) and regional service area, with a similar local-craftsmanship positioning versus national installers.
- Elemental Energy: Pacific Northwest-based residential and commercial solar and battery installer with similar customer segments (homeowners and small businesses) and overlapping geographic coverage, providing direct head-to-head competition on the same projects.
Broad incumbents
- Tesla Energy (Solar): National residential solar and battery storage (Powerwall) provider with a strong brand and standardized offering. Represents the 'national solar company' competitive dynamic that Western Solar explicitly differentiates against in its messaging.
- Sunrun: Largest US residential solar, battery, and energy services installer with national footprint, standardized lease/PPA/loan financing, and significant Washington State operations. Competes on scale, financing terms, and brand recognition.
- SunPower: Established US residential and commercial solar manufacturer/installer with national dealer network. Competes on panel technology and financing, with presence in Washington State through dealer relationships.
Regional players
- All Energy Solar: Mid-sized residential and commercial solar installer with multiple US locations (headquartered in Minnesota, with Pacific Northwest operations). Comparable business model and scale, but with broader geographic diversification than Western Solar.
- Ion Solar: Regional residential solar installer operating in multiple US states with a similar direct-to-consumer sales motion. Comparable in scale and product mix, though serving different geographies without direct Pacific Northwest overlap.
Others
- Puget Sound Energy: Investor-owned utility serving Western Washington that administers net metering and grant programs (e.g., $900,000+ distributed across Washington) that Western Solar's customers access. Functions as a channel partner and regulatory stakeholder rather than a direct competitor.
- Silfab Solar: North American solar panel manufacturer with operations in Washington State that supplied panels for the Fisherman's Pavilion community solar project alongside Western Solar. Functions as an upstream supplier/partner rather than a direct competitor in installation.
Emerging players
- CleanerNRG: Pacific Northwest residential and commercial solar installer with overlapping Washington State service area. Comparable offering (PV + battery + service) but at a smaller scale and more recent market entry than Western Solar.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Western Solar compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Western Solar financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Western Solar leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Western Solar funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Western Solar M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Western Solar
What does Western Solar do?
Western Solar designs, installs, and services custom solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and home battery energy storage for residential and commercial customers across the Pacific Northwest. All project work — electrical, roofing, and design — is performed in-house by their team with no subcontractors, and each system is sized using LIDAR-based shading analysis and on-site assessment. The company also provides professional solar panel cleaning and long-term maintenance under warranties of up to 25 years on materials and labor.
Is Western Solar a public or private company?
Western Solar is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Western Solar founded?
Western Solar was founded in 2004. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Western Solar based?
Western Solar is headquartered in Bellingham, United States, in the North America region.
How does Western Solar make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Solar Installation Services are the primary driver. The others are energy Storage / Battery Systems, solar Panel Cleaning & Maintenance Services and system Service & Warranty Support.
Who are Western Solar's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are A&R Solar and Elemental Energy. Broad incumbents are Tesla Energy (Solar), Sunrun and SunPower. Regional players are All Energy Solar and Ion Solar. Others are Puget Sound Energy and Silfab Solar. CleanerNRG is listed as an emerging player.
Does Western Solar have an API?
No public API is recorded for Western Solar.
What industry is Western Solar in?
Western Solar's product category is Solar Installation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMABAB, Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System), with a secondary code of HSAEAJAL, Solar Panel Cleaning. Its NAICS code is 221114 and its SIC code is 1731.