Real Goods
GoGreenSolar (DBA GigaWatt Inc) is a US-based, privately held e-commerce retailer of DIY solar kits serving residential homeowners and solar professionals nationwide with configurable panel, inverter, battery, and racking systems across seven kit categories.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersHopland, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Real Goods does
GoGreenSolar is the operating trade name (DBA) of GigaWatt Inc, a privately held US corporation founded in 2006 that sells residential and light-commercial solar energy systems through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model. The company is headquartered in the United States, ships nationwide, and operates a phone-based sales support channel (8am-8pm PST) alongside its online storefront. Its primary customer segment is individual homeowners seeking DIY solar installations, with secondary segments including solar professionals, homebuilders, and owners of off-grid or remote properties.
The company's core offering is a portfolio of seven pre-configured solar kit categories (Grid-Tie, Battery Backup, Off-Grid, Ground Mount, Roof Mount, Microinverter, and String Inverter kits) that bundle panels, inverters, batteries, racking, and monitoring systems from tier-1 component brands including Enphase, Sol-Ark, IronRidge, Qcells, Znshine, and Fortress Power. Kit prices range from approximately $6,180 for an entry-level 3kW microinverter kit to $67,184 for a 21kW high-capacity configuration. The underlying technology is a kit configuration and system design platform, supplemented by a Solar Panel Calculator, a Kit Questionnaire, an Off-Grid Load Calculator, and a dedicated DIY installation video library (including an IronRidge racking course).
GoGreenSolar generates revenue primarily through one-time hardware sales (solar kit transactions) with a secondary stream of paid professional services for solar permitting and utility interconnection, plus an affiliate/referral arrangement with third-party lenders offering zero-down financing. The go-to-market motion is product-led growth: customers self-educate through blog content and interactive tools, configure and purchase kits online, and can access phone-based consultation for custom quotes. The company differentiates on the DIY value proposition, claiming 50% or more savings versus traditional full-service solar installers, supported by an 18+ year operating history, prominent customer testimonials, and a money-back guarantee if permit approval is not secured.
Real Goods firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Real Goods
- Legal name
- GigaWatt Inc
- Website
- https://realgoods.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- GoGreenSolar (DBA GigaWatt Inc) is a US-based, privately held e-commerce retailer of DIY solar kits serving residential homeowners and solar professionals nationwide with configurable panel, inverter, battery, and racking systems across seven kit categories.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Real Goods industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Residential Solar Kits
- NAICS
- Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)
- SIC
- Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200), Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Solar Distribution & Wholesale Supply (Channel, Procurement, Logistics) (EUAMABAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB), Solar Mounting, Racking & Trackers (Fixed-Tilt, Single/Dual-Axis, Rooftop Mounts) (EUAMABAF), Solar Inverters, Power Electronics & MLPE (String/Central Inverters, Optimizers, Microinverters) (EUAMABAE), Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems (IMADAFAO)
Keywords
Where Real Goods is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hopland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Real Goods business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Solar Kit Sales: One-time sale of complete solar panel kits including panels, inverters, batteries, racking, and monitoring systems. Kits are pre-configured for specific use cases (grid-tie, battery backup, off-grid). Additional optional services include permitting and interconnection assistance.
- Solar Permitting Service: Professional service to handle permit applications for solar installations
- Solar Interconnection Service: Service to facilitate connection to the utility grid
- Financing Partnerships: Third-party financing/loan options offered to customers, enabling purchases without upfront costs. Company partners with lenders for quick-approval loans with zero down payment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-level 3kW Microinverter Kit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mid-range 4kW Ground Mount Kit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium 12kW Battery Backup Kit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | High-capacity 21kW DIY Kit |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Real Goods product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The company sells pre-configured DIY and professionally installable residential solar panel kits, including grid-tie, battery backup, off-grid, ground mount, and roof mount configurations. Each kit bundles panels, inverters, racking, optional batteries, and monitoring, with custom system design, permitting and interconnection assistance available as add-on services.
Product overview
GoGreenSolar is a solar kit retailer offering a comprehensive portfolio of DIY solar energy solutions. The core offering consists of seven distinct solar kit categories (Grid-Tie, Battery Backup, Off-Grid, Ground Mount, Roof Mount, Microinverter, and String Inverter kits) that share common components including solar panels, inverters, batteries, and IronRidge racking systems. These kits range from entry-level 3kW microinverter systems to large 21kW configurations, and are sold alongside complementary services including solar permitting and interconnection assistance. The company positions itself as a one-stop-shop for homeowners and professionals seeking complete solar solutions with custom design support, installation guides, and financing options.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Grid-Tie Solar Kits Solar power systems that integrate with existing utility grids to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources and offset electricity bills through net metering. Sold to residential homeowners.
- Battery Backup Solar Kits Solar panel systems paired with energy storage for self-sustaining power and uninterrupted electricity during grid outages. Targeted at homeowners needing backup power.
- Off-Grid Solar Kits Complete energy independence systems designed for remote locations without access to traditional power grids. Targeted at remote property owners, cabins, and off-grid homes.
- Ground Mount Solar Kits Solar panel systems mounted on ground foundations for optimal sunlight exposure and efficiency. Targeted at residential properties with suitable land.
- Roof Mount Solar Kits Space-saving solar installations mounted on residential rooftops to generate clean energy from home. Targeted at residential homeowners with usable roof area.
- Microinverter Solar Kits Solar kits featuring individual inverters for each panel to maximize energy production, enhance system performance, flexibility, and efficiency. Targeted at residential customers seeking optimized output.
- String Inverter Solar Kits Cost-friendly solar solutions using centralized string inverters, easy to maintain and ideal for homes with minimal to no shade. Targeted at budget-conscious residential customers.
- Solar Panels Carefully curated solar panels from reputable brands known for efficiency and durability, including Znshine Solar and Qcells. Sold as components within kits rather than separately.
- Solar Batteries Energy storage solutions including Enphase and Fortress LifePO4 batteries that optimize cost savings by storing surplus energy for use during peak demand or outages.
- Solar Inverters Grid-tie inverters that convert solar DC power to home-friendly AC power and provide net metering capability, including microinverters and string inverters.
- IronRidge Racking Mounting systems for solar panels providing firm foundation for roof mount, ground mount, metal roof, and quick-mount installations, supplied by IronRidge.
- Solar Permitting Service Professional service handling solar permit applications and plan revisions for customers purchasing kits.
- Solar Interconnection Service Service assisting customers with utility interconnection applications for grid-tie solar systems.
Quantifiable outcome
- Electric bill reduction of up to 2/3
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Real Goods
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Real Goods technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Real Goods partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Znshine SolarcoreSolar panel supplier providing photovoltaic modules included in GoGreenSolar's kit configurations. Znshine is a Tier 1 solar panel manufacturer known for efficiency and durability.
- QcellscorePremium solar panel brand partner supplying high-efficiency photovoltaic modules. Qcells is a well-established name in residential and commercial solar.
- IronRidgecoreRacking and mounting systems supplier for solar panel installations. Provides roof mount, ground mount, and metal roof attachment solutions. Featured with dedicated installation video course.
- Sol-ArkcoreInverter manufacturer supplying Sol-Ark inverters for battery backup and hybrid solar systems. Featured as a key component in premium kit offerings.
- EnphasecoreMicroinverter manufacturer supplying Enphase Ensemble kits for residential solar. Provides microinverter technology for enhanced system performance and flexibility.
- Fortress PowercoreBattery manufacturer supplying LifePO4 battery banks for energy storage solutions. Featured in 12kW battery backup kit configurations.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Real Goods competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Unbound Solar: Unbound Solar (formerly Real Goods Solar retail arm) sells grid-tie and off-grid solar kits online with design support and educational content. Overlaps with GoGreenSolar on residential DIY kits and design-support services.
- Renogy: Renogy is one of the largest direct-to-consumer DIY solar kit retailers, selling panels, inverters, batteries, charge controllers, and complete off-grid/grid-tie kits online with educational content. Highly comparable to GoGreenSolar's curated-kit, e-commerce-led model, though Renogy is broader into portable and RV solar.
- Signature Solar: Signature Solar is an online retailer specializing in DIY off-grid and grid-tie solar kits with a strong focus on battery backup systems (e.g., SimpliPhi, Pytes, EG4). Directly comparable in product mix and DIY audience, with similar emphasis on off-grid and battery-resilience use cases.
- WindyNation: WindyNation sells DIY solar and wind power kits directly online, with bundled panels, inverters, charge controllers, and batteries aimed at off-grid and residential customers. Closely matches GoGreenSolar's DIY kit model, customer profile, and e-commerce-led GTM.
- Wholesale Solar: Wholesale Solar is a long-standing online retailer of DIY and contractor solar kits, offering design support, permitting assistance, and complete system packages. Operates in the same DIY residential solar retail channel as GoGreenSolar with overlapping supplier brands and kit configurations.
- A1 Solar Store: A1 Solar Store is an online solar retailer offering pre-engineered kits, system design, and DIY guidance for residential customers. Competes in the same online kit-configurator retail category as GoGreenSolar.
Others
- Enphase Energy: Enphase is a key microinverter supplier and ecosystem partner for GoGreenSolar's Enphase Ensemble kits. Not a direct retail peer, but a strategic supplier whose product roadmap and installer ecosystem dynamics directly shape GoGreenSolar's kit configurations and customer experience.
Broad incumbents
- Sunrun: Sunrun is the largest US residential solar installer, offering leases, PPAs, and cash purchases with battery storage. Competes for the same homeowner solar buyer as GoGreenSolar but with a full-service, financed model rather than DIY kits.
- Tesla Energy: Tesla Energy sells the Solar Roof and Powerwall through a full-service installation model nationwide, with integrated financing. While not a DIY peer, it competes for the same residential customers GoGreenSolar targets and sets aggressive price benchmarks.
- SunPower: SunPower is a long-established residential and commercial solar installer and panel manufacturer with full-service (turnkey) offerings rather than DIY kits. Comparable as an incumbent serving the same homeowner segment, but with a fundamentally different go-to-market that bundles installation, financing, and monitoring.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Real Goods social profiles
Digital presenceReal Goods financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Real Goods leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Real Goods funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Real Goods M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Real Goods
What does Real Goods do?
The company sells pre-configured DIY and professionally installable residential solar panel kits, including grid-tie, battery backup, off-grid, ground mount, and roof mount configurations. Each kit bundles panels, inverters, racking, optional batteries, and monitoring, with custom system design, permitting and interconnection assistance available as add-on services.
Is Real Goods a public or private company?
Real Goods is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Real Goods founded?
Real Goods was founded in 2006. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Real Goods based?
Real Goods is headquartered in Hopland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Real Goods make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Solar Kit Sales are the primary driver. The others are solar Permitting Service, solar Interconnection Service and financing Partnerships.
Who are Real Goods's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Unbound Solar, Renogy, Signature Solar, WindyNation, Wholesale Solar and A1 Solar Store. Enphase Energy is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Sunrun, Tesla Energy and SunPower.
Does Real Goods have an API?
No public API is recorded for Real Goods.
What industry is Real Goods in?
Real Goods's product category is Residential Solar Kits. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMABAK, Solar Distribution & Wholesale Supply (Channel, Procurement, Logistics), with a secondary code of EUAMABAB, Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System). Its NAICS code is 221114 and its SIC code is 5200.