Inter-Island Solar Supply

What Inter-Island Solar Supply does

Inter-Island Solar Supply (dba Solar Supply) is a Hawaii-based B2B distributor of renewable energy equipment, founded in 1975 and headquartered in Honolulu. The company supplies solar water heating systems, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, energy storage/battery systems, inverters, and racking/mounting hardware sourced from a broad portfolio of third-party manufacturers including SunEarth, A. O. Smith, REC, Enphase, Panasonic, IronRidge, Generac, SolarEdge, FortressPower, FranklinWH, and SolArk. Its primary customer base comprises professional solar installers, electrical contractors, and plumbing contractors operating across the Hawaiian Islands.

The company operates five physical branch locations covering all major Hawaiian Islands (Honolulu on Oahu, Lihue on Kauai, Kahului on Maui, and Kailua-Kona and Hilo on Hawaii Island) and supplements them with a self-service e-commerce storefront at shop.solarsupply.com. IISS became 100% employee-owned in 2013 and is a member of the Solaray Family of Companies, a corporate affiliation that includes sister companies SunEarth Inc. (solar thermal manufacturing), Alternate Energy Technologies, Pacific Panel Cleaners, and Generator Power Systems. The company claims 331 MW of clean energy deployed cumulatively through distributed products.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales to installer and contractor accounts under quote-based B2B terms, with no disclosed recurring services or software component. Marketing is conducted mainly through the company website, the e-commerce shop, industry association membership (Hawaii Solar Energy Association), and referral-driven relationships with established installer customers. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and the business model is structurally that of a regional value-added distributor rather than a manufacturer or platform.

Name

Inter-Island Solar Supply

Legal name

Inter-Island Solar Supply

Website

https://solarsupply.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Inter-Island Solar Supply is a 100% employee-owned B2B distributor of renewable energy equipment, serving solar installers and plumbing contractors across the Hawaiian Islands from five branch locations and an e-commerce storefront since 1975.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Equipment Distribution

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Distribution & Wholesale Supply (Channel, Procurement, Logistics) (EUAMABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar Mounting, Racking & Trackers (Fixed-Tilt, Single/Dual-Axis, Rooftop Mounts) (EUAMABAF), Solar Balance-of-System Components (Cables, Combiner Boxes, Switchgear, Transformers) (EUAMABAG)

Keywords

• Solar equipment distribution
• Renewable energy wholesale
• Solar water heating systems
• Solar PV distribution
• Energy storage equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Equipment Distribution: Distribution of renewable energy equipment including solar panels, inverters, batteries, solar water heaters, and mounting systems to installers and contractors. Revenue generated through product sales with no explicit recurring component described.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Inter-Island Solar Supply distributes renewable energy equipment, including solar water heating systems, solar PV panels, inverters, battery energy storage systems, and solar racking/mounting hardware, to professional solar installers and plumbing contractors across the Hawaiian Islands. Products are sourced from established manufacturers and resold through five branch locations and an e-commerce platform.

Product overview

Inter-Island Solar Supply operates as a renewable energy equipment distributor, not a software platform or product manufacturer. The company offers a portfolio of solar equipment across three main categories: solar water heating systems (thermal), solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with energy storage solutions, and racking/mounting hardware. Products are sourced from partner manufacturers including SunEarth, A. O. Smith, REC, Enphase, Panasonic, IronRidge, Generac, SolarEdge, FortressPower, FranklinWH, and others. The company serves as a wholesale distribution channel for installers and contractors in Hawaii and internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solar Water Heating Equipment
• Solar PV & Energy Storage Equipment
• Solar Racking & Mounting Systems

Quantifiable outcome

• 331 MW of clean energy deployed through distributed products

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• SunEarthcoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-standing partnership with SunEarth, a leading solar thermal manufacturer. SunEarth products are distributed through IISS across the Hawaiian Islands as part of the product portfolio.
• A. O. SmithcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for heat pump water heaters and commercial water heating equipment distribution through IISS branch locations.
• RECcoreTechnology or IntegrationDistribution partnership for REC solar panels and photovoltaic products across the Hawaiian market.
• EnphasecoreTechnology or IntegrationMicroinverter and energy management products distributed through IISS locations for residential and commercial solar installations.
• PanasoniccoreTechnology or IntegrationDistribution of Panasonic solar panels and HIT photovoltaic technology through IISS distribution network.
• IronRidgecoreTechnology or IntegrationSolar mounting and racking systems distributed through IISS for residential and commercial solar projects.
• Solaray Family of CompaniesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIISS is a member of the Solaray Family of Companies, a corporate affiliation with sister companies SunEarth Inc., Alternate Energy Technologies, Pacific Panel Cleaners, and Generator Power Systems. All companies share commitment to energy independence and sustainability.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Northern Arizona Wind & Sun: Regional renewable energy equipment distributor serving the Southwest US with solar PV, off-grid, and water-heating products. Comparable in product breadth and B2B model to IISS, but geographically focused on the US mainland rather than Hawaii.

Direct peers

• Renvu: Online solar equipment distributor carrying modules, inverters, batteries, EV chargers, and racking for installer and prosumer customers. Direct comparable to IISS's e-commerce channel (shop.solarsupply.com) serving the same downstream market.
• AEE Solar: Long-established US solar equipment distributor (now part of Sonepar) selling modules, inverters, racking, and balance-of-system components to installers. Closely comparable product mix and go-to-market model to IISS.
• Krannich Solar: Global solar equipment distributor headquartered in Germany with operations across North America, Europe, and Australia. Direct competitor operating the same B2B distribution-plus-technical-support model targeting installers.
• Wholesale Solar: US online-first solar equipment distributor selling modules, inverters, batteries, and racking to installers and DIY customers. Comparable B2B-plus-e-commerce model serving the same solar contractor customer base.
• CED Greentech: One of the largest US distributors of solar PV, inverters, racking, and energy storage equipment serving professional installers. Direct competitor to IISS in B2B solar distribution with a similar multi-category equipment portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Sonepar: World's largest electrical distribution group (parent of AEE Solar). Competitor to IISS in solar equipment distribution at the wholesale level, though Sonepar operates across a far broader product portfolio.
• Rexel: Global electrical and energy distribution major with growing solar and storage offerings under brands including Rexel Energy Solutions. Larger incumbent whose solar division directly overlaps with IISS's product categories.
• Wesco: Global electrical, communications, and utility distribution major with a renewable energy portfolio spanning solar, storage, and EV charging. Comparable at the equipment-distribution layer, though much larger and more diversified than IISS.

Others

• SunEarth Inc. Solar thermal manufacturer and sister company under the Solaray Family of Companies. Not a competitor but a key supplier whose products IISS distributes across Hawaii — illustrating a tightly integrated supply-distribution relationship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/solarsupplyhi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Inter-Island Solar Supply