Progress Solar Solutions
Progress Solar Solutions designs and manufactures mobile solar light towers, hybrid light towers, off-grid power systems, and solar surveillance trailers under the HELIOS brand for military, government, and commercial construction customers, selling direct, through GSA and Sourcewell contracts, and via a network of rental and international distribution partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersRaleigh, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Progress Solar Solutions does
Progress Solar Solutions, LLC is a Raleigh, North Carolina-headquartered designer and manufacturer of mobile solar-powered light towers, off-grid power systems, and solar surveillance trailers sold under the unified HELIOS™ brand (formerly SLT and SHYB). Founded in 2008, the company is veteran-owned and holds multiple granted patents covering mobile solar light towers, solar/wind hybrid towers, and solar hybrid generator configurations. Its core engineering stack combines bi-facial solar panels, AGM or LiFePo4 lithium battery storage, high-efficiency LED floodlighting (200 lumens per watt) rated up to 80K lumens, hybrid propane/gasoline/diesel generator backup on selected models, and IP66-rated ruggedized quick-connect electrical architecture. The product portfolio spans entry-level HELIOS-1 units (1,100W solar, 32K lumens) through flagship HELIOS-2 / HELIOS-2XP models (up to 2,250W solar, 64K-80K lumens, 36-42 hour stored runtime), the new HELIOS-ES lithium-equipped variant, HELIOS-HYB solar/hybrid light towers for 24/7 availability, HELIOS-EYE / HELIOS-EYE+ surveillance trailers with PTZ cameras, and HELIOS Power Cubes capable of delivering up to 15kW of mobile AC off-grid power for EV charging and remote applications.\n\nThe company's revenue model is primarily hardware sales — direct factory sales from Raleigh, government procurement through GSA Contract #GS-07F-376AA and Sourcewell Contract #020923-PGS (with distribution also through DLA federal channels), and capital lease financing through a lending partner. A meaningful secondary revenue stream flows through rental partners including United Rentals (50 US states plus Canada), Equipment Share, and CAT Rental Stores, plus international distributors Satori Industrial Supply (Mexico) and Merit International (Middle East/Kuwait). Pricing is quote-based across all channels, with no publicly disclosed list prices. Customer segments skew toward military, federal/state/local government (notably DHS/CBP), commercial construction, and off-grid-power applications including remote buildings and EV charging.\n\nDistribution and marketing span direct enterprise field sales (toll-free 888-298-6657), the GSA Advantage portal and Sourcewell cooperative purchasing for government buyers, multi-brand rental partner channels reaching all 50 US states and Canada, website and YouTube demonstration content, and industry association memberships (American Rental Association, Society of American Military Engineers). The company holds no disclosed external funding, operates without a parent company, and exports internationally using equipment designed for standard HC shipping containers.
Progress Solar Solutions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Progress Solar Solutions
- Legal name
- Progress Solar Solutions, LLC
- Website
- https://progresssolarsolutions.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Progress Solar Solutions designs and manufactures mobile solar light towers, hybrid light towers, off-grid power systems, and solar surveillance trailers under the HELIOS brand for military, government, and commercial construction customers, selling direct, through GSA and Sourcewell contracts, and via a network of rental and international distribution partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Progress Solar Solutions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile Solar Lighting and Off-Grid Power Equipment
- NAICS
- Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (3351), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (33513)
- SIC
- Motors & Generators (3621), Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ)
Keywords
Where Progress Solar Solutions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Raleigh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Progress Solar Solutions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Mobile Solar Light Tower Sales: Direct sales of HELIOS-branded solar light towers (HELIOS-1, HELIOS-2, HELIOS-2XP, HELIOS-HYB) to commercial, government, and military customers. Formerly sold under SLT model designations (SLT-700, SLT-800, SLT-1000, SLT-1400).
- Rental Revenue through Partners: Revenue generated through rental partner network (United Rentals, Equipment Share, CAT Rental) where partners purchase or lease equipment and rent to end customers.
- Replacement Parts and Service: Sales of replacement parts (solar panels, batteries, lights) for field units. Parts may be under manufacturer's warranty. Includes on-site troubleshooting and service.
- Capital Lease Financing: Through lending partner, company offers capital lease financing options to reduce total cost of ownership for customers.
- HELIOS Power Cube Sales: Mobile solar off-grid power units (HELIOS Power Cubes, HELIOS-XL) that replace standby generators, including configurations for EV charging and remote power applications.
- HELIOS-EYE Camera Tower Sales: Mobile solar camera trailers with surveillance capabilities for remote monitoring applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Direct purchase from factory or through retailers |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Government procurement through GSA and Sourcewell |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Rental through partners |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Capital lease financing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels10 records
Marketing channels7 records
Progress Solar Solutions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Progress Solar Solutions manufactures and sells mobile solar-powered light towers, solar hybrid light towers with battery backup, mobile solar surveillance camera trailers, and off-grid power cubes under the HELIOS brand. The company is the original equipment manufacturer in the mobile solar light tower category and sells directly to commercial buyers, the U.S. military, and federal, state, and local government agencies via GSA and Sourcewell contracts, with supplementary distribution through national rental partners and international resellers.
Product overview
Progress Solar Solutions offers a unified portfolio of mobile solar-powered products centered on the HELIOS™ brand. The core offerings include: HELIOS Solar Light Towers (standalone solar lighting in 1/2/2XP/ES models with 1100-2250W solar, 32K-80K LED lumens, 36-42hr runtime); HELIOS-HYB Solar/Hybrid Light Towers (adds backup generator for 24/7 reliability); HELIOS-EYE/EYE+ Solar Camera Trailers (mobile surveillance with PTZ cameras); and HELIOS Power Cubes (off-grid generators for remote power/EV charging). Former SLT and SHYB model lines have been consolidated under the HELIOS naming convention. All units feature ruggedized IP66+ components, bi-facial solar panels, AGM or lithium batteries, and operate silently without fuel.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HELIOS™: Product line of mobile solar light towers (formerly SLT brand). Includes HELIOS-1, HELIOS-2, HELIOS-2XP models with 1100-2250 watts of solar generation and up to 40 hours stored light runtime.
- HELIOS Power Cubes
- HELIOS-EYE
- HELIOS-HYB
Quantifiable outcome
- Lower total cost of ownership than diesel light towers when including cost of fuel and maintenance
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use Progress Solar Solutions
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Progress Solar Solutions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Progress Solar Solutions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- United RentalscoreLong-standing rental partner operating in all 50 US states and Canada. United Rentals offers Progress Solar equipment for both sale and rent, providing wide geographic coverage for customers.
- Equipment SharecoreGrowing high-tech rental partner dedicated to innovation and growth, offering Progress Solar equipment for rent.
- CAT Rental StoresminorEquipment rental partner offering Progress Solar equipment for purchase or rent.
- SourcewellcoreCooperative purchasing organization allowing state and local government entities to purchase Progress Solar equipment through Sourcewell contract (#020923-PGS) with preferential pricing and expedited procurement.
- GSA (General Services Administration)coreFederal government procurement vehicle. Progress Solar holds GSA Contract (#GS-07F-376AA) allowing federal agencies, military, and DHS/CBP to purchase equipment through GSA Advantage portal.
- Satori Industrial SupplycoreExclusive distributor for Mexico located in Hermosillo, Sonora. Contact: +52 637 105 6128, [email protected].
- Merit InternationalcoreDistributor for Middle East region located in Ardiya Industrial Area, Kuwait. Contact: [email protected], Tel: +965-22055325.
- Bulldog Equipment SalesminorManufacturer's representative for southeastern US region.
- DLA (Defense Logistics Agency)coreDefense Logistics Agency procurement channel. Trusted distributors sell Progress Solar units through DLA contracts for military and government customers.
- American Rental AssociationminorIndustry association membership providing visibility among equipment rental companies.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Progress Solar Solutions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wanco Inc. Wanco is a leading US manufacturer of portable light towers, traffic safety, and mobile equipment. It is one of the most direct comparables to Progress Solar's mobile light tower business, increasingly with solar and hybrid offerings targeting the same construction and government buyers.
- Allmand Bros (Briggs & Stratton): Allmand is a long-established manufacturer of portable light towers and jobsite equipment, now part of Briggs & Stratton. It competes head-to-head with HELIOS in towable light towers for construction and rental channels and has begun offering solar-equipped models.
- Larson Electronics: Larson Electronics manufactures industrial and commercial lighting, including mobile solar light towers and portable LED lighting solutions. It directly competes in mobile solar lighting with similar government, military, and industrial customers, though with a broader catalog.
Broad incumbents
- Atlas Copco Power & Flow: Atlas Copco manufactures portable compressors, light towers, and mobile power solutions with global distribution. It overlaps with Progress Solar in mobile jobsite lighting and off-grid power and represents the broad-incumbent competitive threat as it expands electrified products.
- Generac Mobile Products: Generac Mobile (formerly Magnum) supplies mobile light towers and generators through extensive rental and dealer channels. It is a broad incumbent competing across both diesel towable light towers and emerging mobile solar and battery products targeting similar end customers.
- Wacker Neuson: Wacker Neuson produces compact equipment, generators, and light towers for construction and rental fleets. It overlaps with Progress Solar in mobile jobsite lighting and off-grid power, and represents a broad incumbent with deeper European distribution.
- Doosan Portable Power:
Regional players
- Trime (Tower Light): Trime is a European-based manufacturer of mobile light towers and sustainable site power solutions. It is highly comparable in product category to HELIOS and is increasingly active in solar and battery-powered towables, primarily competing outside North America.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Progress Solar Solutions social profiles
Digital presenceProgress Solar Solutions compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Progress Solar Solutions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Progress Solar Solutions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Progress Solar Solutions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Progress Solar Solutions 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 Progress Solar Solutions
What does Progress Solar Solutions do?
Progress Solar Solutions manufactures and sells mobile solar-powered light towers, solar hybrid light towers with battery backup, mobile solar surveillance camera trailers, and off-grid power cubes under the HELIOS brand. The company is the original equipment manufacturer in the mobile solar light tower category and sells directly to commercial buyers, the U.S. military, and federal, state, and local government agencies via GSA and Sourcewell contracts, with supplementary distribution through national rental partners and international resellers.
Is Progress Solar Solutions a public or private company?
Progress Solar Solutions is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Progress Solar Solutions founded?
Progress Solar Solutions was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Progress Solar Solutions based?
Progress Solar Solutions is headquartered in Raleigh, United States, in the North America region.
How does Progress Solar Solutions make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Mobile Solar Light Tower Sales are the primary driver. The others are rental Revenue through Partners, replacement Parts and Service, capital Lease Financing, HELIOS Power Cube Sales and HELIOS-EYE Camera Tower Sales.
Who are Progress Solar Solutions's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wanco Inc., Allmand Bros (Briggs & Stratton) and Larson Electronics. Broad incumbents are Atlas Copco Power & Flow, Generac Mobile Products, Wacker Neuson and Doosan Portable Power. Trime (Tower Light) is listed as a regional player.
Does Progress Solar Solutions have an API?
No public API is recorded for Progress Solar Solutions.
What industry is Progress Solar Solutions in?
Progress Solar Solutions's product category is Mobile Solar Lighting and Off-Grid Power Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUACALAJ, Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro). Its NAICS code is 221114 and its SIC code is 3621.