South Sound Solar

What South Sound Solar does

South Sound Solar is a privately-held, full-service residential and commercial solar photovoltaic (PV) installer headquartered in Olympia, Washington. Founded by Kirk Haffner in 2007 and incorporated in 2008, the company serves property owners across the South Sound region of Washington State through a direct-to-customer model that covers the full project lifecycle — site survey, custom engineering, professional shade analysis, procurement, installation, monitoring, service, and repair. Core technical deliverables include grid-tied PV systems, battery backup configurations (Tesla Powerwall, Fortress Power eVault with Sol-Ark inverters), EV charger installations, and a standardized EGAUGE-based real-time energy monitoring layer for systems lacking built-in telemetry.

The company's product stack is assembled from a curated set of third-party components rather than proprietary silicon: Silfab "Made in Washington" solar panels as a preferred module, SMA and SolarEdge inverters, AP Systems microinverters, Sol-Ark inverters for off-grid pairings, and Tesla and Fortress battery hardware. Differentiated services include professional shade analysis for array placement, design-and-new-construction solar integration with builder partners, and an in-house grant writing practice that reports a 90% success rate on USDA REAP, PSE, WSU Energy Program, and Washington Department of Commerce solar grant applications.

Commercially, the business generates revenue predominantly from one-time installation contracts (residential and commercial), supplemented by recurring or repeat revenue streams from service and repair (including work on competitor-installed systems), EV charger add-ons, monitoring subscriptions, and grant writing engagements. The GTM motion is sales-led: a small in-house sales team converts free site surveys into custom proposals, supplemented by inbound referrals through Olympia Master Builders, SolarReviews listings, and local climate and energy advocacy organizations. There is no disclosed institutional capital, no parent entity, and no M&A history; ownership sits with five long-tenured employees following the 2024 passing of founder Kirk Haffner, with Hattie serving as President.

Name

South Sound Solar

Legal name

South Sound Solar

Website

https://southsoundsolar.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

South Sound Solar is a privately-held, full-service residential and commercial solar PV installer based in Olympia, Washington, serving the South Sound region since 2007 with custom design, installation, battery backup, EV chargers, monitoring, and grant writing services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Installation Services

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

PV Balance of System (BOS) & Electrical Infrastructure (Inverters, Transformers, Cabling, Substations) (EUACAGAC), Solar Mounting, Racking & Trackers (Fixed-Tilt, Single/Dual-Axis, Rooftop Mounts) (EUAMABAF), Solar Panel Cleaning (HSAEAJAL)

Keywords

• Residential solar installation
• Commercial solar installation
• Solar maintenance services
• Solar grant writing
• EV charger installation

Headquarters

HQ city

Olympia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Solar Installation Services: One-time installation of solar PV systems for residential and commercial customers. Systems include grid-tied, battery back-up, and off-grid configurations. Installation is custom-designed and professionally engineered for each customer.
2. Service, Repair & Maintenance: Ongoing revenue from solar maintenance inspections, panel cleaning, and expert repairs. Services include evaluating existing systems, troubleshooting performance issues, and reconnecting monitoring.
3. EV Charger Installation: Installation of wall connectors for electric vehicles, including integration with solar systems.
4. Grant Writing Services: Grant writing services for businesses to access solar grants, which helps drive commercial solar installations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

South Sound Solar is a full-service solar installer that custom-designs, engineers, and installs photovoltaic (PV) systems for residential and commercial customers across the South Sound region of Washington State. Beyond installation, the company provides battery backup integration, EV charger installation, real-time EGAUGE energy monitoring, system maintenance and repair, and solar grant writing services. Services span grid-tied, battery backup, and off-grid configurations, with each project handled by NABCEP-certified in-house staff from initial shade analysis through long-term service.

Product overview

South Sound Solar is a full-service residential and commercial solar installer offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services. Their core offerings include residential and commercial solar PV installation services, supplemented by battery backup solutions (Tesla Powerwall, Fortress Power eVault), EV charger installation, and energy monitoring via EGAUGE technology. They provide complete lifecycle services from design and new construction integration through ongoing maintenance and repair. Key components sourced include SolarEdge monitoring systems, SMA and Sol-Ark inverters, AP Systems microinverters, and Silfab solar panels. The company also offers financing assistance through partner lenders and grant writing services to help customers access USDA REAP, PSE, and Washington State Department of Commerce solar grants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Solar Installation Full-service solar PV system installation for homeowners in the South Sound region, including custom system design, professional shade analysis, options for rooftop or ground-mounted arrays, grid-tied and battery backup configurations, net metering setup, and full permitting and installation by an in-house NABCEP-aligned crew.
• Commercial Solar Installation Large-scale solar PV system design and installation for businesses, farms, schools, and public institutions, including engineering, custom proposals, funding assistance (USDA REAP and other grants), and complete project management to reduce commercial electricity costs.
• Solar Design & New Construction Pre-installation solar infrastructure planning and integration during building construction or remodeling, including consultation with builders and developers, energy efficiency planning, and integration of solar PV systems into new or renovated structures.
• Solar Maintenance & Repair Services Ongoing maintenance inspections, panel cleaning, troubleshooting, performance evaluations, monitoring reconnection, and repair services for South Sound Solar-installed systems as well as systems installed by other providers.
• Electric Vehicle Charger Installation Installation of wall connector EV chargers that deliver faster charging than standard outlets, with smart features including Wi-Fi monitoring and mobile apps, including integration with existing solar PV systems.
• Solar Grant Writing Services Specialized grant application assistance for commercial customers, helping secure USDA REAP grants (up to 50% of installation costs), PSE solar grants, Washington State Department of Commerce grants, and WSU Energy Program grants, with a 90% success rate on submitted applications.
• Battery Backup Systems (Tesla Powerwall) Installation of Tesla Powerwall 2 and Powerwall 3 backup battery systems providing seamless backup power during outages, smart charging and discharging, and flexible indoor or outdoor installation, integrated with solar PV systems.
• Fortress Power eVault Battery Systems Indoor-only battery backup offering that operates without internet connection, ideal for off-grid or internet-independent setups when paired with Sol-Ark inverters, providing energy storage and independence from the grid.
• Energy Monitoring with EGAUGE Real-time solar array monitoring solution using EGAUGE technology to track energy production and consumption, providing detailed production logs, troubleshooting diagnostics, and comprehensive building-level monitoring including solar output, generators, lighting, appliances, and EV chargers.
• Solar Financing & Loan Services Facilitation of low-interest solar loans through partnerships with local lenders including Oly Federal Savings and Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union, with no home equity required, helping customers access financing for solar installations combined with the 26% federal tax credit and grant savings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20-40% reduction in commercial electricity costs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Thurston Green BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partnership with Thurston Green Business, a local organization promoting sustainable business practices in Thurston County.
• Solar WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Solar Washington, a state-level solar advocacy and industry organization.
• Olympia Master BuilderscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partnership with Olympia Master Builders (OMB), a local builders association. Builders refer customers to South Sound Solar for solar installations on new and existing construction.
• American Solar Energy Society (ASES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ASES, a national solar energy society advancing solar technology and sustainable energy solutions.
• Thurston Climate Action TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local climate action organization focused on reducing carbon emissions in Thurston County.
• WASEIAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Washington Solar Energy Industries Association, supporting solar industry growth in Washington State.
• Thurston EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local energy organization supporting renewable energy initiatives in Thurston County.
• NABCEPcoreOthersCompany team members hold NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certifications, the gold standard for solar installation professionals.
• Puget Sound Solar, LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeattle-area solar company that granted permission to use their images. Acknowledged as a great company in the Seattle area.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• NABCEP: North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners—the certification body whose credential South Sound Solar's team holds. Relevant as the industry-standards organization rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• A&R Solar: Portland-based full-service solar installer serving residential and commercial customers in the Pacific Northwest. Closely comparable business model, including design, installation, battery backup, and EV charger offerings.
• Puget Sound Solar, LLC: Seattle-area residential and commercial solar installer offering design, installation, and service in the Pacific Northwest. Directly comparable to South Sound Solar in geography, service mix, and target customer base (the two companies even share imagery rights).
• Lumi Solar: Washington-state residential solar installer offering design, installation, and battery solutions. Closely comparable to South Sound Solar in customer segments and Pacific Northwest focus.
• Elemental Energy: Oregon-based solar installer serving residential and commercial customers in the Pacific Northwest with design, installation, and energy storage services. Comparable in scale and regional focus.

Regional players

• Fire Mountain Solar: Washington-state solar cooperative/installer focused on residential and small commercial projects in the Pacific Northwest. Similar service mix but operates as a cooperative with a different ownership model.
• Sullivan Solar Power: San Diego-based full-service residential and commercial solar installer. Comparable business model (direct sales, custom installation, battery and EV integration) but operates in Southern California rather than the Pacific Northwest.

Broad incumbents

• Sunrun: Largest US residential solar installer with national reach, offering leases, PPAs, and cash purchases plus battery and EV charger integration. A broad incumbent competing for the same residential customer segment.
• Tesla Energy: National residential and commercial solar, battery storage (Powerwall), and EV charging provider. Competes with South Sound Solar for residential and commercial solar business and is also a key supplier (Powerwall).
• SunPower: National residential and commercial solar installer and equipment manufacturer offering full-service design, installation, and financing. Competes with South Sound Solar across overlapping customer segments with greater scale and brand recognition.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 South Sound Solar