Clean Solar

What Clean Solar does

Clean Solar, Inc. is a privately held, founder-owned residential and commercial solar installation company headquartered in San Jose, California, founded in 2007 by Randy Zechman (CEO) and Jeff Ritchey (COO). The company designs, sells, and installs rooftop photovoltaic systems paired with battery storage for homeowners across the Bay Area (San Jose, San Francisco, Livermore, Gilroy, Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz, Morgan Hill), with equipment sourced from Tier 1 manufacturers — REC, CanadianSolar, and Hyundai panels; Enphase microinverters, SolarEdge with optimizers, and Tesla Solar Inverters; and battery storage options including Tesla Powerwall 3, Franklin aPower 2, and SolarEdge Energy Bank 10. The company also installs Tesla Solar Roofing through its sister company Clean Roofing, and offers specialized non-exporting system configurations for customers seeking to preserve NEM 1/NEM 2 rate status.

Clean Solar generates revenue through hardware sales, professional installation services, and financing facilitation (solar loans via PremierOne Credit Union and Matadors Community Credit Union, prepaid and balanced PPAs via HDM Renewables, HELOC, and cash purchase). Go-to-market combines a sales-led direct-to-consumer model using field Site Analysts conducting on-site home evaluations, inside sales via phone/email, and a B2B2C Corporate Partnership Program providing preferred pricing to employees of major Bay Area employers including Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sony, and Levi's. Each installation is backed by a 15-year production guarantee (8% higher than California Solar Initiative standards) and a 25-year full workmanship warranty, with the company holding Tesla Powerwall Premier Certified Installer status, NABCEP certification, and 10 years of B Corp certification.

Name

Clean Solar

Legal name

Clean Solar, Inc.

Website

https://cleansolar.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Clean Solar is a privately held Bay Area residential and commercial solar installer founded in 2007, designing and installing rooftop PV and battery storage systems using Tier 1 equipment (REC, CanadianSolar, Hyundai, Tesla, Enphase, SolarEdge, FranklinWH) with a 15-year production guarantee and 25-year workmanship warranty.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Solar Installation

NAICS

Roofing Contractors (23816)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ), Solar Inverters, Power Electronics & MLPE (String/Central Inverters, Optimizers, Microinverters) (EUAMABAE), Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems (IMADAFAO), PV Balance of System (BOS) & Electrical Infrastructure (Inverters, Transformers, Cabling, Substations) (EUACAGAC)

Keywords

• Residential solar installation
• Battery storage systems
• Solar panel installation
• Solar financing solutions
• Rooftop solar services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Jose

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Solar Panel and Battery Hardware Sales: Direct sales of solar panels, inverters, batteries, and related equipment to homeowners. Equipment is purchased as part of a full installation package. Includes premium Tier 1 panels from REC, CanadianSolar, and Hyundai; microinverters from Enphase; optimizers from SolarEdge; and battery storage from Tesla, FranklinWH, and SolarEdge.
2. Solar Installation Services: Full-service installation including site assessment, system design, permitting, installation, inspection coordination, and final walk-through. Installation typically takes 1-3 days. Company handles all utility interconnection paperwork and rebate applications.
3. Solar Financing (Loan Origination): Partnership with credit unions (PremierOne Credit Union, Matadors Community Credit Union) to provide solar loans. Clean Solar facilitates loan applications for homeowners financing their installations. 10-year secured loans available through PremierOne with 5-25 year terms; 12-year secured loans through Matadors with 3-20 year terms.
4. Prepaid PPA (HDM Renewable): Power Purchase Agreement through HDM Renewables where third party owns equipment and homeowner prepays for electricity. HDM rebates 17-30% from Investment Tax Credit to homeowner. Clean Solar provides installation and ongoing maintenance while HDM handles financing structure.
5. Balanced PPA: Monthly payment PPA where provider owns equipment. Homeowner pays predictable monthly charge lower than utility rates. Provider handles monitoring and maintenance. Option to own system at 5th year.
6. Service and Maintenance: Ongoing services including panel cleaning, removal and reinstallation for roof repairs, EV charging station installation, panel skirts, system monitoring troubleshooting, critter guards, and Enphase microinverter upgrades from legacy systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Clean Solar designs, sells, and installs residential and commercial rooftop solar photovoltaic systems with battery storage integration for homeowners in the Bay Area. Each system is customized with Tier 1 panels (REC, CanadianSolar, Hyundai), a choice of inverters (Enphase microinverters, SolarEdge optimizers, or Tesla), and battery storage options (Tesla Powerwall 3, Franklin aPower 2, or SolarEdge Energy Bank 10). The company provides end-to-end service including site assessment, system design, permitting, installation, inspection coordination, and financing facilitation.

Product overview

Clean Solar is a residential and commercial solar installation company serving the Bay Area, offering a comprehensive portfolio of solar energy products and services. The core offering consists of rooftop solar panel installation using Tier 1 panels from REC, CanadianSolar, and Hyundai, paired with multiple inverter options (Enphase microinverters, SolarEdge with optimizers, and Tesla Solar Inverter). Battery storage options include Tesla Powerwall 3, Franklin aPower 2, and SolarEdge Energy Bank 10, along with Powerwall 3 Expansion Units for scalable storage. The company also installs Tesla Solar Roofing through its Clean Roofing subsidiary. Financing options span prepaid PPA (HDM Renewables), balanced PPA, solar loans through credit unions, HELOC, and Paykeeper Escrow. All installations are backed by a 15-year production guarantee (8% higher than CSI standard) and 25-year workmanship warranty. The company is a Tesla Powerwall Premier Certified Installer and offers non-exporting systems for NEM 1/NEM 2 customers. Additional services include Clean Roofing, EV charging installation, panel maintenance, and a corporate partnership program with major tech employers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Clean Roofing: A sister company of Clean Solar focused on delivering quality roof installations and exceptional customer service. Provides asphalt shingles, concrete tile, torch down roofing, gutters, roof inspections, repairs, full roof installation, attic ventilation, and blown-in insulation.

Products and services

• Rooftop Solar Installation Residential and commercial rooftop solar panel installation service across the Bay Area, providing customized systems with premium high-efficiency photovoltaic panels from Tier 1 manufacturers, including site assessment, system design, permitting, installation, and inspection coordination.
• Tier 1 Solar Panels (REC, CanadianSolar, Hyundai) Solar panels from top-tier manufacturers including REC (Clean Solar is a REC Certified Solar Professional), CanadianSolar, and Hyundai. All panels are Tier 1 from publicly listed manufacturers with automated production, vertical integration, and strong quality reputations. Includes 25-year manufacturer warranty.
• Solar Inverters (Enphase, SolarEdge, Tesla) Three inverter options for solar systems: Enphase microinverters for panel-level optimization ideal for shaded roofs; SolarEdge single inverters with optimizers for distributed voltage management; and Tesla Solar Inverter integrated with Powerwall 3. Enphase units convert DC to AC at each panel independently with detailed panel-level monitoring.
• Battery Storage Systems Comprehensive battery storage offering including Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5 kWh, 10-year warranty), Franklin aPower 2 (15 kWh per unit, 15-year warranty), and SolarEdge Energy Bank 10 (9.7 kWh). Provides backup power during outages, load shifting, and energy independence for Bay Area homeowners.
• Tesla Powerwall 3 Advanced battery storage device with integrated solar inverter. 13.5 kWh usable capacity, 100% depth of discharge, weatherproof for indoor/outdoor installation. Can expand with up to 3 expansion units for total of 40.5 kWh. Monitored via Tesla app. Clean Solar is Tesla Powerwall Premier Certified Installer.
• Franklin aPower 2 Whole home energy management and storage system with 15 kWh capacity per unit, 10 kW continuous power and 15 kW peak for 10 seconds. Lithium Iron Phosphate technology. Can stack up to 4 batteries for extended capacity. Generator integration capability for backup during outages. 15-year limited warranty.
• SolarEdge Energy Bank 10 DC-coupled battery storage system with 9.7 kWh capacity and 5 kW power output. Indoor/Outdoor rated. 10-year battery warranty, 25-year inverter warranty, +70% guaranteed capacity after 10 years. Up to 3 battery units per Energy Hub, and up to 3 Energy Hubs per Backup Interface.
• Powerwall 3 Expansion Unit Battery storage expansion device for Powerwall 3 systems that adds 13.5 kWh storage capacity per unit at lower cost than a standard Powerwall 3. Approximately half the installation time of a typical Powerwall 3 setup. Eligible for 30% federal income tax credit.
• Tesla Solar Roofing Integrated solar roof product from Tesla installed by Clean Roofing (Clean Solar sister company). 25-year Tesla warranty combined with Clean Roofing's 10-year workmanship warranty. Highest fire rating (Class A), Class F wind rating up to 166 MPH, Class 3 hail rating for up to 1.75 inch diameter hail.
• Clean Roofing Sister company of Clean Solar providing roof installation and repair services including asphalt shingles, concrete/clay tile, torch down roofing, gutters, roof inspections, repairs, full installation, attic ventilation, and blown-in insulation. GAF Certified Green Roofer designation with 10-year workmanship warranty.
• Solar Service and Maintenance Maintenance and service offerings for installed solar systems including panel cleaning, removal and reinstall for roof projects, EV charging station installation, panel skirts, system monitoring troubleshooting, critter guards, and Enphase microinverter upgrades for legacy systems.
• HDM Renewable Prepaid PPA Prepaid Power Purchase Agreement through HDM Renewables where HDM owns the solar equipment and provides upfront prepayment, then rebates 17-30% to homeowner from 2026 ITC. No monthly payments, no annual escalators. Option to buy equipment at year 7. Clean Solar designs and maintains the system.
• Non-Exporting Solar Systems Specialized solar configuration that prevents excess energy from flowing back to the utility grid. Allows homeowners with existing NEM 1 or NEM 2 rate status to add solar panels without losing their grandfathered favorable rate. Energy is stored in batteries for on-site use instead of being exported.
• Corporate Partnership Program B2B2C employee benefit program offering exclusive preferred pricing on residential solar installation to employees of participating companies including Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sony, Levi's, Black Diamond, Twitter, and TICO Construction. Includes free site survey, flat rebate off contract price, and per-watt pricing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Customers may save up to $180/month on $200 average utility bill
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TeslacoreTechnology or IntegrationClean Solar is a Tesla Powerwall Premier Certified Installer - the highest tier of Tesla's installer certification program. They install Tesla Powerwall 3 batteries and Tesla Solar Inverters. As one of the original authorized Tesla Solar Roof installation partners in the United States, Clean Solar has unsurpassed experience with Tesla solar products.
• RECcoreTechnology or IntegrationClean Solar is a REC Certified Solar Professional and installs REC solar panels. REC is a leading manufacturer of high-quality photovoltaic panels included in Clean Solar's Tier 1 panel offerings.
• CanadianSolarcoreTechnology or IntegrationClean Solar installs CanadianSolar panels as part of their Tier 1 solar panel selection. CanadianSolar is one of the world's largest solar technology companies.
• HyundaicoreTechnology or IntegrationClean Solar is a certified Hyundai solar panel installer offering Hyundai panels as part of their premium solar panel selection.
• Enphase EnergycoreTechnology or IntegrationClean Solar installs Enphase microinverters and provides Enphase monitoring systems. Enphase microinverters convert DC to AC at each panel for optimized performance, ideal for shaded roofs.
• SolarEdgecoreTechnology or IntegrationClean Solar installs SolarEdge single inverters with optimizers and SolarEdge Energy Bank 10 batteries. SolarEdge provides innovative distributed system optimization technology and home energy management solutions.
• FranklinWHcoreTechnology or IntegrationClean Solar installs Franklin aPower 2 whole home energy management and storage systems. FranklinWH provides innovative battery storage with generator integration capabilities.
• CALSSAminorOthersActive member of CALSSA (California Solar & Storage Association), one of the finest non-profit solar and energy storage organizations in California.
• NCSEAminorOthersActive member of NCSEA (Northern California Solar Energy Association), supporting the solar industry in Northern California.
• Home Builders AssociationsminorOthersActive member of Home Builders Associations supporting partnership with new construction homebuilders for California solar mandate compliance.
• San Jose-MetroEdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClean Solar partnered with MetroEd vocational school in San Jose to build and teach the school's new solar installation class. They built curriculum from scratch and taught the industry's future installers best practices. This makes Clean Solar the only solar contractor in the Bay Area teaching next generation installers.
• ApplecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partnership Program - Apple employees receive exclusive preferred pricing on residential solar installations with free site surveys, flat rebates, and per-watt discounts.
• GooglecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partnership Program - Google employees receive exclusive preferred pricing on residential solar installations with free site surveys, flat rebates, and per-watt discounts.
• FacebookcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partnership Program - Facebook employees receive exclusive preferred pricing on residential solar installations with free site surveys, flat rebates, and per-watt discounts.
• MicrosoftcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partnership Program - Microsoft employees receive exclusive preferred pricing on residential solar installations with free site surveys, flat rebates, and per-watt discounts.
• CiscominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partnership Program - Cisco employees receive exclusive preferred pricing on residential solar installations.
• OracleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partnership Program - Oracle employees receive exclusive preferred pricing on residential solar installations.
• QualcommminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partnership Program - Qualcomm employees receive exclusive preferred pricing on residential solar installations.
• SamsungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partnership Program - Samsung employees receive exclusive preferred pricing on residential solar installations.
• SonyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partnership Program - Sony employees receive exclusive preferred pricing on residential solar installations.
• Levi'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partnership Program - Levi's employees receive exclusive preferred pricing on residential solar installations.
• Black DiamondminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partnership Program - Black Diamond employees receive exclusive preferred pricing on residential solar installations.
• TwitterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partnership Program - Twitter employees receive exclusive preferred pricing on residential solar installations.
• TICO ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partnership Program - TICO Construction employees receive exclusive preferred pricing on residential solar installations.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sunrun: National residential solar installer with leading market share, offering owned and leased solar + battery systems with in-house financing. Directly competes with Clean Solar in California for residential rooftop installation, but operates at much larger scale nationally with proprietary financing arms and subscription models.
• Tesla Energy: Tesla's solar and Powerwall business offering rooftop solar, Tesla Solar Roof, and Powerwall 3 with both direct-to-consumer sales and authorized installer network (which includes Clean Solar). Competes directly in the Bay Area residential market while also serving as a key equipment partner for Clean Solar.
• ADT Solar: National residential solar installer (formerly SunPro Solar) offering rooftop PV, battery storage, and roof replacement services across multiple states including California. Closely comparable business model and customer profile, with national scale advantages in marketing and procurement.
• Momentum Solar: Residential solar installer with vertically integrated operations in select states including California, offering rooftop PV and battery storage with in-house installation crews. Direct competitor in the residential segment with comparable target customer profile and equipment partners.
• Elevation Solar: Residential solar and battery installer serving Western US markets including California. Similar direct-to-consumer field-sales model with in-house installation, targeting homeowners seeking grid-tied solar with optional storage using comparable Tier 1 equipment suppliers.
• Freedom Forever: Residential solar installer with significant California operations including the Bay Area, offering 25-year production guarantees and Tier 1 equipment similar to Clean Solar. Directly competes for the same Bay Area residential customers with comparable warranty positioning.

Regional players

• Solar Optimum: Southern California-based residential and commercial solar installer offering PV, battery storage, roofing, and EV charging with a full-service direct sales approach. Closely comparable business model and product mix but operates primarily in the LA/Orange County/Inland Empire region rather than the Bay Area.
• Baker Electric Home Energy: Long-standing Southern California residential solar and battery installer offering rooftop PV, Powerwall, and home energy solutions. Comparable business model and customer profile but serves the LA/San Diego market rather than the Bay Area.
• Green Solar Technologies: California-focused residential solar installer with rooftop PV and battery offerings, serving multiple metros with similar equipment partners and direct sales motion. Comparable operating model but broader geographic footprint rather than Bay Area concentration.

Others

• Enphase Energy: Leading manufacturer of microinverter and battery storage systems (IQ8, IQ Battery) that Clean Solar installs and recommends. Acts as a critical upstream equipment supplier rather than a direct competitor, with joint product development and installer certification programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Clean_Solar
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CleanSolarBayArea?feature=mhee
• Facebookfacebook.com/CleanSolarInc
• Pinterestpinterest.com/cleansolar1

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Clean Solar