What Lightspring does

Lightspring, LLC is a privately held, Bismarck, North Dakota-based solar energy contractor founded in January 2018 that designs, installs, and services solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar thermal heating systems, battery storage, and energy monitoring for residential, commercial, agricultural, community, and institutional customers across North Dakota and Minnesota. Its core technology stack combines conventional rooftop and ground-mounted PV, Tesla Powerwall-certified lithium-ion battery storage, Sense real-time energy monitoring, and the proprietary 8th Fire solar air-heating collector (selectively coated aluminum absorber, R12 foam insulation, extruded aluminum frame) that the company markets as the most efficient BTU-per-dollar option for northern climates.

The company operates a direct-to-consumer, sales-led go-to-market model with in-house installers, project managers, and energy auditors. Turnkey delivery covers site assessment, custom design, permitting, interconnection, and power purchase agreement negotiation. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time installation fees for solar PV and solar thermal systems, hardware margin on bundled battery and monitoring equipment, professional services for USDA REAP grant writing, partner-referred financing via SVCFin, and training programs delivered with United Tribes Technical College.

Customer mix is intentionally diversified across homeowner rooftop installs, commercial rooftops (including the PRx building in Fargo, described as the largest commercial rooftop solar in that city), agricultural and community-scale solar farms, Indigenous-community energy sovereignty projects, and educational institutions. Differentiation rests on the 'ethical solar' three-step methodology (efficiency first, solar thermal second, PV third), local ownership narrative, and specialized northern-climate expertise where heating represents roughly half of household energy consumption. The company has installed 'hundreds of kilowatts' of PV and battery storage since founding, and operates an active careers page indicating ongoing hiring.

Name

Lightspring

Legal name

Lightspring, LLC

Website

https://lightspring.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Lightspring is a North Dakota-based solar energy contractor founded in 2018 that designs, installs, and services solar PV, solar thermal, battery storage, and energy monitoring systems for residential, commercial, agricultural, and community customers across North Dakota and Minnesota.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Installation Services

NAICS

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Electrical Work (1731)

akta.pro primary industry

Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Distributed Storage (Behind-the-Meter Batteries) (EUAMAJAE)

Keywords

• Solar PV installation
• Solar thermal heating
• Battery storage systems
• Commercial solar
• Community solar

Headquarters

HQ city

Bismarck

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

Revenue model

1. Solar PV Installation: One-time installation of solar photovoltaic systems for residential and commercial properties. Includes complete turnkey service from design through installation and permitting. Revenue recognized at project completion.
2. Solar Thermal Installation: Sale and installation of solar thermal heating systems, particularly for northern climates where heating represents majority of energy costs. Systems can reduce heating bills by approximately 30%.
3. Battery Storage Systems: Installation of Tesla Powerwall and other battery storage systems, often bundled with solar PV installations for backup protection and energy independence.
4. Financing Services: Partner financing offered through SVCFin to help customers fund solar installations. Company facilitates financing arrangements for customers.
5. Grant Writing Services: Grant writing assistance for customers, particularly for USDA programs like the Rural Energy for America Program. Helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses access funding for renewable energy systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Lightspring is a turnkey solar energy installation company that designs, installs, and services solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar thermal heating systems using 8th Fire collectors, and Tesla Powerwall battery storage for residential, commercial, and community-scale customers across North Dakota and Minnesota. The company also provides direct financing facilitation, USDA grant writing assistance, and multi-level solar workforce training programs.

Product overview

Lightspring is a solar energy company offering an integrated suite of renewable energy products and services across North Dakota and Minnesota. The core offerings include residential, commercial, and community-scale solar PV systems, complemented by solar thermal heating solutions using 8th Fire collectors. The company provides Tesla Powerwall battery storage and Sense home energy monitoring as add-on modules. Services include direct financing through SVCFin, grant writing for USDA programs, and multi-level solar training programs. All offerings are supported by turnkey project management from site assessment through installation and ongoing warranty support, unified under an 'ethical solar' approach emphasizing energy efficiency first.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 8th Fire Solar Thermal Collectors: Solar thermal collectors marketed under the 8th Fire brand, described as the most efficient and economically high-performance solar air heating in the country.

Products and services

• Residential Solar Systems Turnkey solar photovoltaic (PV) systems designed and installed for homes, including rooftop installations on various roof types, ground-mounted systems, and solar carports, backed by 25-year warranties and integrated with optional battery storage. Targeted at homeowners in North Dakota and Minnesota seeking energy independence and reduced electricity costs.
• Commercial Solar Systems Large-scale commercial rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV installations for businesses, agricultural producers, and institutions, including the largest commercial rooftop solar system in Fargo, North Dakota. Services cover site assessments, permitting, interconnect arrangements, and power purchase agreement negotiation.
• Community Solar Community-scale solar farms situated on existing agricultural property, structured as investment opportunities and win-win scenarios for farmers and small communities. Includes virtual solar cooperatives for groups of community members.
• Solar Thermal Heating Systems Active solar air heating systems using 8th Fire thermal collectors that heat air to 120-200 degrees Fahrenheit through crystallized glass and metal backplates. Systems operate 8+ hours daily from sunup to sundown and can reduce winter heating bills by approximately 30% in northern climates.
• Tesla Powerwall Installation Tesla Powerwall certified installation providing compact lithium-ion home battery storage for backup protection, self-consumption of solar energy, and energy independence. Automatically detects outages and recharges from sunlight to keep appliances running for days.
• Direct Financing Facilitation In-house financing facilitation through SVCFin partnership, enabling customers to apply for installment financing to cover solar system purchase and installation costs via a dealer authentication link integrated into Lightspring's website.
• Grant Writing Services Grant writing services focused on USDA programs including the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), assisting agricultural producers and rural small businesses with renewable energy system funding applications.
• Solar Training Programs Three-tier solar installer training program (Solar Training 1.0, 2.0, 3.0) covering energy policy, regulatory issues, utility relations, and new market development, delivered in partnership with United Tribes Technical College and Indigenized Energy to build a local workforce.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% reduction in winter heating bills with solar thermal installation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United Tribes Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on solar training facility and installation projects. United Tribes Technical College Solar Roller project involving multiple partners including Indigenized Energy, Rock Industries, and Sojourn Architects. Lightspring provides solar PV and thermal system education along with energy policy, regulatory issues, and grant writing training.
• TeslacoreTechnology or IntegrationTesla Powerwall Certified Installer. Provides Tesla Solar Panels and Powerwall battery storage systems to residential customers. Tesla systems come with 25-year performance guarantee. Powerwall provides 24/7 energy security and automatic outage detection.
• 8th Fire SolarcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLightspring sells and installs 8th Fire Solar Thermal Collectors, described as the most efficient and economically high-performance solar air heating in the country. Collectors produce up to 4.5 Million BTU per heating season with best BTU-per-dollar ratio on market.
• Indigenized EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in solar projects with Indigenous communities. Works with local Indigenous-led organizations to bring energy awareness, sovereignty and self-sufficiency through solar energy.
• Capital Electric CooperativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProactively working relationship with local power company and cooperative. Featured in Capital Electric Cooperative Magazine March 2021 issue. Discussing interconnection and net metering arrangements.
• USDA Rural Energy for America ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLightspring provides grant writing services for customers seeking USDA Rural Energy for America Program funding. Program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding for renewable energy systems or energy efficiency improvements for agricultural producers and rural small businesses.
• SVCFinminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFinancing partner providing installment financing for solar installations. Lightspring directs customers to SVCFin application for financing options.
• Rock IndustriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in United Tribes Technical College Solar Roller collaborative project for solar training facility development.
• Sojourn ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in United Tribes Technical College Solar Roller collaborative project for solar training facility development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Trinity Solar: Long-standing regional residential solar EPC using a direct-to-home sales and turnkey install model analogous to Lightspring, with comparable customer-acquisition-led economics.
• All Energy Solar: Upper-Midwest solar installer covering Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa with residential and commercial PV and battery solutions; comparable customer segments and direct-to-consumer sales motion to Lightspring.
• Cedar Creek Energy: Minnesota-headquartered residential and commercial solar EPC offering turnkey PV, battery, and roofing with a similar regional installer model; directly comparable geography and service mix to Lightspring.
• Blue Raven Solar: National residential solar EPC focused on turnkey PV and battery installs with in-house financing; closest direct peer on bundled service model and customer experience, though materially larger in scale.

Broad incumbents

• Sunrun: Largest U.S. residential solar + battery installer with national reach; broadly overlapping offering (PV, battery, monitoring) and exercises direct competitive pressure on price and financing.
• Momentum Solar: National residential solar EPC with a direct-sales, vertically integrated install model directly comparable to Lightspring's, but operating at materially larger scale.
• Freedom Forever: National residential solar EPC with turnkey PV and battery installation services overlapping Lightspring's direct-sales, hands-on install approach.
• Tesla Energy: Manufacturer of Tesla Solar Panels and Powerwall that also operates a direct solar installation business; both a Lightspring hardware partner and a potential competitive entrant into ND/MN rooftops.
• SunPower (now Maxeon / installer network): Residential and commercial solar products and installer network with overlapping hardware (panels, monitoring) and a similar focus on premium-warranty positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lightspring.io
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lightspring-io

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 Lightspring