Roark Solar
Roark Solar is a family-owned Sarasota, Florida installer — Florida's longest-running Aquatherm dealer since 1978 — that sells, installs, and services residential solar pool heating, solar hot water, pool equipment and automation, and outdoor-comfort systems across three Suncoast counties.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersSarasota, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Roark Solar does
Roark Solar is a second-generation, family-owned solar and pool equipment company headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, founded in 1978 by Jim Roark — a former physics instructor and one of the first employees of Aquatherm Industries. The company designs, installs, and services solar pool heating, solar hot water, and supporting pool equipment for residential homeowners across Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties on Florida's Suncoast. As Florida's longest-running Aquatherm dealer, it holds authorized-installer status with Hayward, Pentair, Madimack, SunEarth, The LeverEdge/Solar Hydronics, Magen Eco-Energy, American Water Heaters, Sollos Lighting, and Volt Lighting, and carries Florida state licenses in Pool (CPC1458978), Solar (CVC57019), and Gas (LP45239).
Its core product is the Aquatherm EcoSun and Sun-Swim XT solar pool heating system — USA-manufactured, ISO 9001:2015-certified, and rated at approximately 93% efficiency under Florida Solar Energy Center testing. The company sells and installs complementary pool equipment (variable-speed pumps, salt systems, filtration), pool automation (Pentair IntelliCenter, Hayward Omni), and a proprietary "Smart Yard by Roark" integration layer that ties pool, lighting, misting, and irrigation into a single app-based control surface. It also offers solar panel removal and reinstallation services during reroofing — a niche offering enabled by owner Clayton Cowell's 25+ years of roofing and construction background and prior tenure as a Tesla Solar Roof area representative.
The business operates a direct-to-homeowner field-sales model with free on-site estimates, quote-based pricing, and a small internal crew (~10–12 employees) supported by office staff. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time installation projects (solar water heating typically $4K–$7K; larger pool-heating systems and equipment packages priced higher), supplemented by recurring pool maintenance contracts absorbed through the 2022 acquisition of Tidy Tiki Pool Service. Marketing is concentrated on local channels — HomeAdvisor, NextDoor, the company website, and customer referrals — with no retail, dealer network, or external capital backing. In 2022, ownership transitioned to Clayton and Anne Cowell, who have since added a Smart Yard product line, expanded the brand portfolio, and begun signaling adjacent outdoor-living extensions (e.g., a "Patio Furniture – COMING SOON" website entry).
Roark Solar firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Roark Solar
- Legal name
- Roark Solar & Pool Equipment
- Website
- https://roarksolar.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Roark Solar is a family-owned Sarasota, Florida installer — Florida's longest-running Aquatherm dealer since 1978 — that sells, installs, and services residential solar pool heating, solar hot water, pool equipment and automation, and outdoor-comfort systems across three Suncoast counties.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Roark Solar industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Solar Pool Heating & Pool Equipment Services
- NAICS
- Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (23822), Appliance Repair and Maintenance (811412)
- SIC
- Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561), Heating Equipment, Except Electric & Warm Air Furnaces (3433)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Equipment Installation & Upgrades (Automation, Covers, Sanitizers) (HSAIALAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Tank Water Heater Installation & Replacement (HSAOACAA), Expansion Tank, Circulator Pump & Zone Valve Service (HSAOACAG), Heat Pump Repair & Maintenance (HSAOAHAD), Heat Pump & Smart HVAC Controller Integration (HSAOANAD)
Keywords
Where Roark Solar is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sarasota
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Roark Solar business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Solar System Installation: Design and installation of solar pool heating, solar hot water, and solar electric (PV) systems for residential properties. Revenue generated from equipment costs, labor, and project complexity.
- Pool Equipment Sales and Installation: Sales and installation of pool heating equipment (heat pumps, gas heaters), pool automation systems, variable-speed pumps, salt systems, and filtration systems from Hayward, Pentair, and MadiMack brands.
- Service, Maintenance, and Repair: Ongoing service contracts, annual maintenance programs, and repair services for solar and pool systems. Includes storm damage assessments and emergency response services.
- Solar Panel Removal and Reinstallation: Specialized service for removing and reinstalling solar panels during roof replacements, including system assessment and upgrade recommendations during reinstallation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Solar Water Heating Systems |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Solar Pool Heating |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Pool Heat Pumps |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Roark Solar product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Roark Solar designs, sells, and installs solar pool heating systems, solar hot water systems, pool heating equipment (heat pumps and gas heaters), pool automation systems, and outdoor comfort solutions (misting, landscape lighting, smart yard automation) for residential homeowners in Southwest Florida. The company is Florida's longest-running Aquatherm solar pool heating dealer since 1978 and provides ongoing maintenance, repair, and solar panel removal/reinstallation services.
Product overview
Roark Solar is a second-generation, family-owned solar, pool, and outdoor comfort company serving Florida's Suncoast since 1978. The company operates as a unified service-and-solutions provider organized into three main service categories: (1) Solar Energy Services including solar pool heating, solar hot water, solar panel removal/reinstallation, and PV solar electric service/maintenance; (2) Pool Equipment & Services encompassing solar pool heating, hybrid pool heating systems, pool heat pumps and gas heaters, pool equipment and automation, and pool cleaning/maintenance; and (3) Outdoor Comfort & Living featuring Smart Yard automation controls, patio misting/fogging, and landscape lighting. The core differentiating product line is Aquatherm solar pool heating panels (EcoSun and Sun-Swim XT), which Roark has installed as Florida's longest-running Aquatherm dealer since 1978. Roark also installs and services Hayward and Pentair pool automation systems, integrates equipment through its Smart Yard platform, and offers professional-grade landscape lighting using Sollos and Volt fixtures. The company positions itself as a roofer-owned installer with licensed CPC (pool) and CVC (solar) contractors who understand roof structure and waterproofing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Solar Pool Heating
Quantifiable outcome
- Solar pool heating reduces pool heating costs by 80-100%
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Roark Solar
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Roark Solar technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature4 records
Roark Solar partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Aquatherm IndustriescoreFlorida's longest-running Aquatherm Industries dealer since 1978. Aquatherm manufactures USA-made solar pool heating panels (EcoSun and Sun-Swim XT) under ISO 9001:2015 certification. Founder Jim Roark was one of Aquatherm's first employees in 1976 before founding Roark Solar.
- HaywardcoreAuthorized Totally Hayward dealer and installer. Offers Hayward Omni, AquaRite S3 salt systems, SwimClear filters, GL235 solar thermostats, and compatible automation systems. Totally Hayward certified installations qualify for extended warranty coverage.
- PentaircoreAuthorized Pentair dealer and installer. Installs Pentair IntelliCenter, Clean & Clear RP cartridge filters, and compatible pool automation and equipment systems. App-based control through Pentair Pool app for iPhone and Android.
- MadimackcoreAuthorized dealer for Madimack pool equipment including InverChlor salt systems. Part of the product portfolio for pool automation and energy-efficient solutions.
- SunEarthcoreAuthorized installer of SunEarth solar water heating systems including Empire Series collectors and SE Series storage tanks. SunEarth products known for efficiency, durability, and long-term reliability.
- The LeverEdge / Solar Hydronics GroupcoreAuthorized installer of Hi-Tec, iSwim, and Nuvis systems through The LeverEdge / Solar Hydronics Group. Additional solar pool heating brand expertise.
- Magen Eco-EnergycoreCertified to install Heliocol and SunStar panels by Magen Eco-Energy. Additional solar pool heating options with proven durability.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Roark Solar competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Pentair: Pentair is a global pool and water solutions manufacturer. Roark is an authorized Pentair installer (IntelliCenter, Clean & Clear RP). Pentair operates as a broad incumbent, both as a supplier of Roark's automation products and as a competitive force in pool equipment.
- Hayward Pool Products: Hayward is a leading global pool equipment manufacturer that also runs an authorized dealer/installer program (Totally Hayward). Roark is a Totally Hayward authorized installer; Hayward sits one tier above Roark as both a partner and broad incumbent shaping pool automation standards (Omni, AquaRite).
- Sunrun: Sunrun is the largest US residential solar installer with national coverage including Florida. It is a broad-incumbent comparable on the residential PV side of Roark's solar service work, though it does not specialize in pool heating.
- Tesla Energy: Tesla Energy operates a national residential solar and battery installation business. Roark's owner previously worked as a Tesla Solar Roof area representative; Tesla represents a broad-incumbent alternative for Florida homeowners seeking residential solar, though it does not focus on pool heating.
Emerging players
- GAF Energy: GAF Energy is an emerging player in solar roofing integrated products. It overlaps with Roark's roofing-plus-solar installation positioning as an emerging alternative for homeowners replacing roofs with solar-attached systems.
Others
- Madimack: Madimack is a manufacturer of energy-efficient pool equipment including the InverChlor salt system sold and installed by Roark. It functions as a supplier/partner rather than a direct competitor.
- SunEarth: SunEarth manufactures solar hot water collectors (Empire Series) and storage tanks used by Roark. It is a technology supplier/partner, not a direct installer competitor.
- Aquatherm Industries: Aquatherm Industries manufactures EcoSun and Sun-Swim XT solar pool heating panels (USA-made, FSEC-certified at ~93% efficiency). It is Roark's longest-standing core technology partner and supplier rather than a direct competitor.
Direct peers
- AquaCal: AquaCal manufactures and distributes pool/spa heat pumps, a core product category for Roark Solar's hybrid pool heating systems. Both companies serve residential pool owners in warm-climate markets and compete for the pool-heating equipment budget.
- Suntrek Industries: Suntrek is a US-based solar pool heating manufacturer and installer with a national dealer/installer network, including Florida. It is the closest direct peer to Roark Solar given its shared focus on residential solar pool heating panels and authorized dealer model.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Roark Solar social profiles
Digital presenceRoark Solar compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance15 records
Roark Solar financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Roark Solar leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Roark Solar subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Roark Solar funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Roark Solar M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Roark Solar
What does Roark Solar do?
Roark Solar designs, sells, and installs solar pool heating systems, solar hot water systems, pool heating equipment (heat pumps and gas heaters), pool automation systems, and outdoor comfort solutions (misting, landscape lighting, smart yard automation) for residential homeowners in Southwest Florida. The company is Florida's longest-running Aquatherm solar pool heating dealer since 1978 and provides ongoing maintenance, repair, and solar panel removal/reinstallation services.
Is Roark Solar a public or private company?
Roark Solar is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Roark Solar founded?
Roark Solar was founded in 1978. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Roark Solar based?
Roark Solar is headquartered in Sarasota, United States, in the North America region.
How does Roark Solar make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Solar System Installation is the primary driver. The others are pool Equipment Sales and Installation, service, Maintenance, and Repair and solar Panel Removal and Reinstallation.
Who are Roark Solar's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Pentair, Hayward Pool Products, Sunrun and Tesla Energy. GAF Energy is listed as an emerging player. Others are Madimack, SunEarth and Aquatherm Industries. Direct peers are AquaCal and Suntrek Industries.
Does Roark Solar have an API?
No public API is recorded for Roark Solar.
What industry is Roark Solar in?
Roark Solar's product category is Solar Pool Heating & Pool Equipment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAIALAJ, Equipment Installation & Upgrades (Automation, Covers, Sanitizers), with a secondary code of HSAOACAA, Tank Water Heater Installation & Replacement. Its NAICS code is 23822 and its SIC code is 3561.