Energy Design Co.

What Energy Design Co. does

Energy Design Co. is a locally owned solar electric contractor headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, founded in 2004 by Vince McClellan. The company designs and installs photovoltaic (PV) systems for residential, commercial, and institutional customers across western and central Oregon — including Eugene, Springfield, Lane County, the Oregon Coast (Newport to Bandon), Corvallis, Salem, the mid-Willamette Valley, and Bend/Redmond/Sisters. Its core technical offering spans grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid solar configurations paired with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery storage in 16 kWh increments (up to 120 kWh per residential site), using inverters from SMA and Fronius and REC-certified panel installation. The firm has completed 1,000+ solar and battery installations since inception and is staffed by a small team that includes four licensed renewable technicians (LRTs), one LRT apprentice, and a NABCEP-certified lead designer with 40+ years of photovoltaic experience.

The product portfolio comprises Residential Solar, Commercial Solar, Energy Storage Systems, Solar Service/Repair, Solar Subcontracting (for general contractors), and Free Solar Assessments. Pricing is structured on a per-watt basis at $2.15–$2.90/Watt DC for grid-tied residential systems, with a typical 9.5 kW system priced at $17,000–$26,000 before incentives and projected to produce 9,000–12,500 kWh/year. Commercial systems target net-positive ROI within 7–10 years; residential systems within 10–18 years. Payment follows a milestone structure (one-third at contract signing, one-third at material order, one-third upon inspection completion), with payment plans available. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time project-based installation work, supplemented by recurring service/maintenance contracts and subcontractor engagements with general contractors.

The business operates a sales-led, direct-to-consumer go-to-market model. Customer acquisition channels include a website with free assessment forms, field sales with free on-site assessments across the Oregon service territory, and a $500-per-referral program (uncapped) open to past and new customers. Distribution is direct to end customers via internal installation crews, with a secondary channel through solar subcontracting for general contractors. The firm holds Oregon Construction Contractors Board license CCB #161672, Building Codes Division license BCD#CL48, and Energy Trust of Oregon certification #10061, and is a trade ally of the Oregon Department of Energy and the Oregon Solar for All Coalition. Notable institutional customers include the University of Oregon, Powell's Books, and the United Methodist Church of Eugene.

Name

Energy Design Co.

Legal name

Energy Design Co.

Website

https://solarenergydesign.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Energy Design Co. is a locally owned solar installation contractor headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, designing and installing photovoltaic and battery storage systems for residential, commercial, and institutional customers across western and central Oregon. Founded in 2004, the firm has completed over 1,000 installations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Energy Contracting

SIC

Electrical Work (1731)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ), Residential / Behind-the-Meter Storage Installation & Integration (EUAEAEAC)

Keywords

• Solar panel installation
• Photovoltaic systems
• Residential solar
• Commercial solar
• Energy storage systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Eugene

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, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Solar system design and installation: One-time design, permitting, procurement, and installation of solar electric systems. Revenue is project-based with typical payment structure of 1/3 at contract signing, 1/3 at material order, and 1/3 upon inspection completion. Also offers payment plans for qualified customers.
2. Solar service and repair: Ongoing service, repair, and maintenance for installed solar systems. Includes annual maintenance recommendations and custom owner's manuals.
3. Solar subcontracting: Subcontracting services to general contractors for system design, documentation, procurement, installation, and solar-ready construction consultation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Energy Design Co. designs, permits, procures, and installs solar electric (photovoltaic) and battery storage systems for residential, commercial, and institutional customers in Oregon. Core offerings include grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid inverter systems paired with lithium iron phosphate battery storage, supported by ongoing service/repair and subcontracting services to general contractors.

Product overview

Energy Design Co. offers a unified portfolio of solar electric and energy storage solutions for residential, commercial, and institutional customers in Oregon. The core offerings consist of Residential Solar and Commercial Solar system design and installation, complemented by Energy Storage Systems (battery backup) using hybrid inverters. Supporting services include Solar Service/Repair, Solar Subcontracting for general contractors, and Free Solar Assessments. All services are delivered by a locally-owned Oregon contractor founded in 2004, serving western and central Oregon including Eugene, Springfield, Lane County, Oregon Coast, Corvallis, Salem, Bend, and surrounding areas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Solar Solar electric (photovoltaic) system design, permitting, procurement, and installation for single-family homes. Targets homeowners seeking to reduce electricity costs, increase property value, lower carbon footprint, and achieve energy independence. Typical systems are 9.5 kW producing 9,000-12,500 kWh/year, priced at $2.15-$2.90/Watt DC.
• Commercial Solar Solar electric system design and installation for businesses, institutions, colleges, universities, nonprofits, and churches. Targets organizations seeking net positive investment within 6-10 years, increased energy security, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Qualifies for 30% federal tax credits.
• Energy Storage Systems Battery backup storage systems using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries paired with hybrid solar inverters, providing power during outages with millisecond switching capability. Configurable in 16 kWh increments (up to 20 kWh per enclosure, 40 kWh indoor residential, 120 kWh per residential site), typically warranted 10 years or 6,500-8,000 cycles. Can integrate with generator input circuits for extended outages.
• Solar Service and Repair Maintenance and repair services for solar equipment, including annual cleaning, inverter servicing, and troubleshooting for installed solar systems (whether installed by Energy Design or others). Includes custom owner's manuals and annual maintenance recommendations.
• Solar Subcontracting Subcontractor services for general contractors including system design, documentation, procurement, installation, and solar-ready consultation for new construction projects. Targeted at GCs needing solar expertise for client projects or solar-ready new construction compliance.

Quantifiable outcome

• ROI of 10-18 years for residential systems
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Energy Trust of OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade ally and program partner. Energy Design Co. is qualified to apply for Energy Trust rebates and incentives on behalf of clients. Energy Trust provides solar and storage programs for Pacific Power and PGE customers. Also offers smart e-loan financing through this partnership.
• Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade ally of ODOE, qualified to apply for grant funding including the Solar For All program ($86.6M federal grant) on behalf of clients. ODOE manages all Solar For All applications for consumer protection.
• Oregon JATC (Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining agent cultivating professional solar installers through formal apprenticeship programs.
• Bonneville Environmental FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Oregon Solar for All Coalition along with Oregon Dept. of Energy and Energy Trust of Oregon, working to bring solar to low-income households.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• A&R Solar: Portland, Oregon-based residential and commercial solar EPC contractor operating in the same Pacific Northwest market. Directly comparable design-build business model with similar customer mix and regional brand-driven go-to-market.
• Imagine Energy: Oregon-based solar installer offering residential and commercial PV and battery storage systems. Closely comparable in service offering (grid-tied, off-grid, hybrid), target geography, and project-based revenue model.
• Elemental Energy: Beaverton, Oregon solar EPC contractor serving residential, commercial, and institutional customers in the Pacific Northwest. Comparable in scope, technical certifications, and Energy Trust trade ally positioning.
• Sunbridge Solar: Bend, Oregon-based solar installer serving central Oregon. Overlaps directly with Energy Design's Bend/Redmond service territory and operates a similar residential and small-commercial design-build model.
• Solgen Power: Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Washington) residential and commercial solar EPC. Similar trade ally positioning and full-service design-build offering, making it a direct regional competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Sunrun: Largest U.S. residential solar installer with national footprint including Oregon. Competes on scale, integrated financing, and lease/PPA models that Energy Design does not offer; broad incumbent in the same end market.
• Tesla Energy: National residential and commercial solar plus Powerwall storage provider. Operates across Oregon with vertically integrated hardware (panels, inverters, batteries) and a scale-driven cost and brand advantage.
• ADT Solar: National residential solar installer (formerly Sunpro Solar) operating in Oregon. Broad incumbent with comparable residential design-build offering, larger marketing budget, and integrated financing options.
• Blue Raven Solar: National residential solar installer with presence in the Pacific Northwest. Comparable rooftop PV and battery offering, scaled direct-sales operation, and in-house financing capability.

Others

• REC Group: Solar panel manufacturer and REC Certified Solar Professional program operator. Energy Design is a certified REC installer; REC is a supplier/ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/energydesign1
• Facebookfacebook.com/solarenergydesign2000
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solar-energy-design

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Energy Design Co.