Catamount Solar

What Catamount Solar does

Catamount Solar is a Vermont-based solar photovoltaic installation firm organized as a workers' cooperative LLC, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Randolph. The company designs and installs residential, commercial, and off-grid solar power systems as well as battery backup solutions (including Tesla Powerwall, Solark inverters, and Fortress batteries) for customers in Vermont and New Hampshire. Its service offering spans free site evaluations using Google Earth and electrical bill analysis, custom system design via Helioscope modeling, permitting and utility coordination including Certificate of Public Good filings, and professional installation, supported by a 15-year residential workmanship warranty and components rated for 25-35 years of service.

The firm operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market with an employee-owner sales and installation team, supplemented by credit-union financing partnerships with Vermont Federal Credit Union, EastRise Credit Union, and VSECU that enable low-down-payment installations at rates as low as 1.99%. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time installation contracts and hardware sales, with tax incentives (federal 26%/22% ITC, Vermont 6.24% commercial ITC, New Hampshire $0.20/watt residential rebate) materially affecting customer economics. The company is differentiated as Vermont's only employee-owned solar installer, with roughly 20 employee-owners, NABCEP-certified installers, and a 5%-of-profits community donation program that has distributed over $200,000 since inception.

Structurally, Catamount Solar is privately held with no external investors, no parent company, and no disclosed funding rounds. Ownership rests with the worker-members under International Co-operative Alliance principles, with patronage profit-sharing proportional to labor contribution. The founder Kevin McCollister retired in 2025, with General Manager Jarred Cobb overseeing ongoing operations. The firm maintains memberships in Amicus Solar, US Federation of Worker Cooperatives, SEIA, NABCEP, Renewable Energy Vermont, and Efficiency Vermont, embedding it in regional cooperative and clean-energy industry networks.

Name

Catamount Solar

Legal name

Catamount Solar LLC

Website

https://catamountsolar.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Catamount Solar is a Vermont-based worker-owned solar installer designing and installing residential, commercial, off-grid, and battery backup PV systems for customers across Vermont and New Hampshire, using credit-union financing partners and NABCEP-certified employee-owners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Installation Services

NAICS

Roofing Contractors (23816)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD), Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems (IMADAFAO)

Keywords

• Residential solar installation
• Commercial solar systems
• Off-grid solar design
• Battery backup installation
• Solar installation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Randolph

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Solar Installation Services: One-time installation of residential, commercial, and off-grid solar power systems. Revenue generated from system design, component procurement, and professional installation services. Includes handling of permits, utility coordination, and state paperwork.
2. Battery Backup Systems: Installation of battery backup systems including Tesla Powerwall and other battery brands. Can operate as standalone grid-only battery systems or paired with solar arrays for outage protection and energy storage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Catamount Solar is a Vermont-based worker-owned cooperative that designs and installs solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems for residential and commercial customers across Vermont and New Hampshire. Core offerings include rooftop and ground-mounted residential solar, commercial solar arrays with full project management and Certificate of Public Good filings, custom off-grid systems with battery storage, and Tesla Powerwall battery backup integration. The company bundles design, component procurement, NABCEP-certified installation, permitting, utility coordination, and access to credit-union financing through Vermont Federal, EastRise, and VSECU.

Product overview

Catamount Solar is a worker-owned cooperative providing solar energy system design and installation services, established in 2011. The company offers a portfolio of interconnected products and services: Residential Solar Energy Systems and Commercial Solar Energy Systems serve as the core installation offerings for homeowners and businesses respectively, while Off-Grid Solar Power Systems addresses energy independence for locations beyond utility reach. Battery Backup Systems (including Tesla Powerwall) functions as an add-on module that integrates with both residential and commercial solar installations to provide power during outages. The company complements its installation services with Solar Site Assessment (free evaluation), System Design and Proposal Service (using Helioscope modeling), and Solar Financing Partnership through credit union partners. The three-step customer journey encompasses free site assessment, detailed proposal development, and professional installation, with Catamount handling all state paperwork including Certificates of Public Good.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Solar Energy Systems Rooftop and ground-mounted solar panel installations for homes in Vermont and New Hampshire that enable homeowners to lock in power costs for 30+ years, reduce carbon footprint, take advantage of net metering credits, and capture the 26% Federal Tax Credit. Systems are designed for New England weather with 25-35 year component lifespan and backed by a 15-year workmanship warranty.
• Commercial Solar Energy Systems Solar power systems designed and installed for businesses, farms, and schools in Vermont and New Hampshire, including comprehensive project management from site assessment through Certificate of Public Good filing. Proposals include Helioscope solar modeling, 25-year cash flow projections, and component specifications. Customers capture the Vermont State Investment Tax Credit (6.24%), 26% Federal Tax Credit through 2023, and MACRS accelerated 5-year depreciation with possible 100% bonus depreciation in Year 1.
• Off-Grid Solar Power Systems Custom-designed standalone solar power systems for locations beyond utility grid reach, featuring expandable designs, built-in usage monitoring software, and components from industry leaders including Solark inverters and Fortress batteries. Designed for tiny houses, camps, and full estates requiring fully customized energy solutions.
• Battery Backup Systems Battery storage systems including Tesla Powerwall and other brands that provide seamless power during outages, support solar arrays when grid power fails, and integrate with Green Mountain Power's battery incentive programs. Can operate as standalone grid-only battery systems or paired with solar arrays for outage protection and energy storage. Vermont customers may qualify for Green Mountain Power subsidies (upfront payment or monthly credit based on storage system size).

Quantifiable outcome

• Solar systems lock in power costs for 25-35 years
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Green Mountain PowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont utility company offering battery storage incentive programs. Customers can receive subsidies for installing battery storage systems that allow the utility to draw power on peak load days. Options include upfront payment or monthly credit.
• Renewable Energy VermontminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partnership. Renewable Energy Vermont collaborates on the Green Mountain Battery Program and represents the broader Vermont renewable energy ecosystem.
• Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)minorOthersTrade association membership. Represents solar industry at national level and provides industry resources and advocacy.
• Amicus SolarminorOthersCooperative-based solar installer consortium. Member of cooperative network providing shared resources and best practices.
• NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners)minorOthersCertification body for solar professionals. Company employs NABCEP certified PV installation professionals.
• Efficiency Vermont Efficiency Excellence NetworkminorOthersTrade partner network for energy efficiency contractors in Vermont.
• Vermont Green Building NetworkminorOthersProfessional network promoting sustainable building practices in Vermont.
• US Federation of Worker CooperativesminorOthersNational federation supporting worker cooperatives. Company is organized as a workers' cooperative following ICA cooperative principles.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Amicus Solar Cooperative: Cooperative consortium of independent U.S. solar installers that Catamount is a member of. Provides shared purchasing, best-practice sharing, and branding; member firms are an adjacent peer set rather than direct sales competitors.
• Green Mountain Power: Vermont's largest investor-owned utility. Partner of Catamount through the Green Mountain Battery Program; also a channel for utility-controlled residential battery and managed-charging programs that can compete with Catamount's battery attach strategy.

Direct peers

• ReVision Energy: ReVision Energy is a worker-owned solar cooperative headquartered in Maine that designs and installs residential, commercial, and off-grid solar plus battery systems across northern New England. Closest analog to Catamount's co-op model, geographic footprint, and product mix.
• Aurora Energy: Stowe, Vermont-based solar EPC for residential and commercial customers, often cited alongside Catamount as a top Vermont solar installer. Direct geographic competitor with overlapping product offerings and similar customer base.
• SunCommon: Vermont-headquartered residential and commercial solar installer (formerly part of SSE). Directly competes in the same Vermont geography with both rooftop and battery offerings and community-solar programs.
• Encore Renewable Energy: Vermont-based commercial-scale and community solar developer and EPC. Overlaps with Catamount on commercial solar in Vermont and on solar-plus-storage for agricultural and institutional buyers.
• Namaste Solar: Employee-owned solar cooperative based in Boulder, Colorado, and fellow Amicus Solar member. Mirrors Catamount's co-op structure, NABCEP workforce, and residential/commercial EPC model outside New England.

Broad incumbents

• Sunrun: Largest U.S. residential solar installer with a national direct-to-home sales motion, lease/PPA financing, and growing battery attach. Competes for the same residential customer wallet across the Northeast, but at national scale.
• Tesla Energy: Tesla Solar Roof, Tesla solar retrofit, and Powerwall battery programs compete with Catamount's residential and battery-backup offerings. National brand, vertically integrated hardware (Powerwall), and aggressive pricing pressure regional installers.
• SunPower: Long-standing U.S. residential and commercial solar and storage installer with a national dealer network. Competes with Catamount on residential and small-commercial EPC, especially through New England dealer partners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CatamountSolar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/catamount-solar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 Catamount Solar