Green Alternatives, Inc.

What Green Alternatives, Inc. does

Green Alternatives, Inc., operating commercially as GAI Energy, is a vertically integrated engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) solar contractor headquartered in Flora, Indiana. Founded in 2008 by electrical engineers Chris Rohaly and Neal Rhodes in Kokomo, Indiana, the firm designs, engineers, procures, installs, and maintains solar photovoltaic systems across residential, commercial, agricultural, and institutional customers throughout north central, northern, and northwest Indiana. The eight-employee firm maintains full vertical integration, declining to subcontract installations or flip contracts, and meets 2020 National Electrical Code standards — exceeding Indiana's 2008 minimum requirement.

The company's core product portfolio consists of turnkey solar installations (residential systems from ~4.6 kW to commercial installations exceeding 500 kW), battery storage solutions paired with solar arrays, and ELM Microgrid systems that provide time-of-use shifting, peak demand shaving, and seamless outage backup. Underlying technology partners include SolarEdge for inverters and optimizers, Generac for battery storage, and ELM Microgrid for microgrid platforms. Pricing is custom-quoted per project based on customer power usage, property characteristics, and energy goals, supplemented by recurring annual maintenance and monitoring service contracts.

GAI Energy generates revenue primarily through one-time EPC project fees for solar and storage installations across its four primary customer segments — commercial and industrial businesses, agricultural operations, residential homeowners, and educational institutions — with secondary recurring revenue from ongoing operations and maintenance service contracts. Go-to-market is consultative direct sales with engineer-led site visits and proposals, supported by content marketing (educational blogs, webinars on tax incentives hosted by CEO Cindy Rohaly), community events, social media on Facebook and LinkedIn, and inbound referrals from Indiana rural electric cooperatives and utilities. Notable customers include Valparaiso University, TWG Development (multi-property projects), Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ / Marian University's Ancilla College (combined 515 kW), Bad Dad Brewing Company, Rees Theatre, Ortman Drilling & Water Services, and multiple Indiana farms including Sutton Heritage Farms and TKO Farms.

Name

Green Alternatives, Inc.

Legal name

Green Alternatives Inc.

Website

https://gai.energy

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Green Alternatives, Inc. (GAI Energy) is a vertically integrated Indiana solar EPC contractor founded in 2008 by two electrical engineers, designing and installing solar PV, battery storage, and ELM Microgrid systems for commercial, agricultural, residential, and institutional customers across north central Indiana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar EPC and Energy Storage Services

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Balance-of-Plant EPC (Piles/Foundations, Trenching, Combiner Networks) (EUAEADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electrical Balance-of-Plant EPC (MV Collection, Cabling, Earthing, Lighting) (EUAEADAB), Civil & Site Works EPC (Earthworks, Roads, Drainage, Foundations) (EUAEADAA)

Keywords

• Solar installation services
• Battery storage systems
• Microgrid solutions
• Commercial solar EPC
• Agricultural solar power

Headquarters

HQ city

Flora

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Solar Installation Services: Design, procurement, and installation of solar PV systems for residential, commercial, and agricultural customers. Full EPC contractor providing end-to-finish services.
2. Microgrid and Battery Storage Systems: Installation of battery storage systems and microgrids that work with solar installations to provide backup power, demand charge control, and energy independence.
3. Operations and Maintenance Services: Ongoing operations and maintenance for installed solar systems. Offers service contracts for maintenance and inspections. Provides monitoring and repair services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Green Alternatives, Inc. (GAI Energy) is a vertically integrated solar EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) contractor that designs, engineers, procures, installs, and maintains solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage, and ELM Microgrid systems for residential, commercial, agricultural, and institutional customers across north central Indiana. The firm operates without subcontracting, using electrical engineers to size and customize each project, and offers ongoing operations and maintenance service contracts after installation.

Product overview

GAI Energy operates as a vertically integrated EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) solar company, handling the full lifecycle from design and engineering through procurement, installation, and ongoing maintenance. The company offers turnkey solar and energy solutions across residential, commercial, agricultural, and utility-scale segments, spanning kilowatt to megawatt systems. The core product portfolio consists of Solar Installation services (Residential, Commercial, and Agricultural categories), Battery Storage Systems, and Microgrid Systems. All offerings are designed and built by electrical engineers with over 40 years of combined experience, using quality components that meet UL safety standards and NEC best practices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Solar Installation Turnkey residential solar PV and solar-plus-battery installation services for Indiana homeowners. Systems range from 4.62 kW to 25.6 kW, designed by electrical engineers to lower electricity bills and reduce grid reliance, delivered through consultation, design review, project economics analysis, and installation.
• Commercial Solar Installation Commercial and industrial solar installation services for businesses, institutions, and multi-family housing across north central Indiana. Project sizes range from approximately 29 kW to over 500 kW, designed by electrical engineers to control demand charges and reduce operating costs, including sites such as Valparaiso University, TWG Development, Bad Dad Brewing, Rees Theatre, Ortman Drilling & Water Services, and Ancilla College.
• Agricultural Solar Installation Solar installation services tailored for farms and agricultural operations, including ground-mounted systems, multi-purpose solar arrays that serve as cattle shade and pasture boundary, and systems sized for grain drying, hog, and cattle operations. Includes work for Sutton Heritage Farms, Jubilee Stables, TKO Farms, and Eller Farms.
• Battery Storage Systems Battery backup and storage solutions integrated with solar installations to provide emergency power during outages, control demand charges, and enable time-of-use shifting. Delivered via partnerships with Generac (battery storage and inverters) and SolarEdge (inverters, optimizers, and energy hubs).
• Microgrid Systems ELM Microgrid systems deployed by GAI Energy as an authorized dealer and distributor, providing energy independence, seamless power outage backup, peak demand shaving, and time-of-use shifting. Sized for applications ranging from residential sites to industrial settings.
• Operations and Maintenance Services Annual service contracts covering maintenance, inspections, monitoring, and repair for solar PV systems after installation, providing recurring post-installation support to the same customers served by GAI's design and installation teams.

Quantifiable outcome

• Demand charges can spike to $28 or more per kWh during peak times vs. typical $0.10/kWh rate - microgrids help control these costs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ELM MicrogridcoreTechnology or IntegrationGAI Energy is a microgrid dealer and distributor for ELM Microgrid. ELM systems can power residential sites to industrial settings. GAI's president Chris Rohaly and COO Lamar Sledge toured ELM's 125,000 sq ft Texas factory to see microgrid production firsthand.
• GeneraccoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Generac to provide fully integrated solar storage solutions for customers. Generac products enable battery storage capabilities for residential and commercial solar installations.
• SolarEdgecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with SolarEdge to provide energy storage solutions integrated with solar systems. SolarEdge inverters and energy hubs are used in many GAI installations.
• SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association)minorOthersGAI Energy engages with SEIA on policy advocacy, including actions to defend American energy incentives and solar tax credits. CEO Cindy Rohaly serves in industry roles.
• Indiana Utilities (Recommended Vendor)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMany Indiana utilities regularly suggest customers reach out to GAI Energy. Local rural electric co-ops have approved GAI for installations and recommend them to customers seeking repairs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PosiGen: Multi-state residential and commercial solar installer with focus on serving middle-income and small business customers. Comparable regional solar EPC operating model with vertical integration across design, installation, and financing.
• Trinity Solar: One of the largest privately-held residential solar installers in the U.S. operating across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Comparable as a regional, family-founded solar installer with direct-to-consumer sales motion.
• Blue Raven Solar: Regional residential solar installer operating across multiple U.S. states with a focused sales and installation model. Comparable in regional solar EPC positioning and customer acquisition approach.
• ION Solar: Regional residential and commercial solar installer operating in the Western and Midwestern U.S. with in-house installation crews and direct sales. Comparable vertically-integrated regional solar installer.
• 1st Light Energy: Regional solar EPC contractor serving the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic with residential, commercial, and agricultural solar installations. Closest comparable in size, geography, and vertical mix to GAI.
• Pivot Energy: National solar developer and EPC serving commercial, community solar, and small utility-scale projects. Comparable in commercial and institutional solar development with utility partnerships.
• Standard Solar: National solar EPC and developer focused on commercial, community solar, and storage projects. Comparable as a solar EPC contractor serving commercial and institutional customers.

Broad incumbents

• Freedom Forever: Large national residential solar installer with vertically integrated operations across 20+ states. Comparable sales and installation model but at much greater scale than GAI.
• Tesla Energy: National solar, battery storage, and energy provider including SolarCity assets. Comparable in offering solar plus storage solutions but operates at vastly greater scale and brand recognition.

Regional players

• Iconic Solar: Residential and commercial solar installer operating across the Western U.S. with in-house installation crews. Comparable vertically-integrated solar installer with regional focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/100094346820273
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/98132504

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Green Alternatives, Inc.