NEXT STEP ENERGY LLC

What NEXT STEP ENERGY LLC does

Next Step Energy, LLC is a privately held Wisconsin limited liability company founded in 1982 and headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The company designs and installs custom solar photovoltaic systems (both grid-tied and off-grid), battery storage solutions, whole-home backup generators, in-home EV chargers, high-efficiency HVAC systems, and licensed electrical services for residential and commercial customers in Western Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley region. Headcount is small (1-10 employees), consisting of a master electrician, journeyman electrician, an experienced installation crew, and a full-time project manager/designer who perform in-house system design and architectural drafting.

The business operates on a sales-led, direct-to-consumer go-to-market model. Customer acquisition is driven by free in-person site assessments (scheduled via a dedicated phone line at 715-830-9337 or website forms), followed by quote-based pricing for custom-designed systems. Typical residential solar installations range from $15,000 to $30,000 before incentives; after the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Wisconsin Focus on Energy rebates (up to $500), and USDA REAP grants (for agricultural customers), net customer costs are materially reduced. The company generates one-time installation revenue across multiple product lines (solar, battery, generator, HVAC, electrical) and offers a 10-year workmanship warranty, with ongoing system performance monitoring on installed systems.

Customer segments span residential homeowners (primary), commercial businesses, agricultural producers, and educational institutions. Notable project references include a 100.88 kW DC / 284-panel solar array at the CVTC Energy Education Center (2021) and a solar-powered Power for Learning Pavilion at Halmstad Elementary School (2020). The company maintains technology partnerships with Briggs and Stratton (LFP battery supply) and financing partnership with Marine Credit Union (2021), and uses a multi-vendor equipment stack including Jinko, REC, and ZnShine panels; Fronius, SMA, Enphase, SolArk, and SolarEdge inverters; and various racking and heating components. No external equity funding, acquisitions, or ownership changes have been disclosed.

Name

NEXT STEP ENERGY LLC

Legal name

Next Step Energy, LLC

Website

https://nextstepenergy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Next Step Energy, LLC, founded in 1982 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, designs and installs custom solar, battery, generator, HVAC, and electrical systems for residential, commercial, agricultural, and educational customers in Western Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Installation Services

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Roofing Contractors (23816)

SIC

Electrical Work (1731)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems (IMADAFAO), Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ), Solar Mounting, Racking & Trackers (Fixed-Tilt, Single/Dual-Axis, Rooftop Mounts) (EUAMABAF)

Keywords

• Residential solar installation
• Commercial solar installation
• Battery storage systems
• HVAC installation services
• Electrical contracting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Eau Claire

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Solar Installation: One-time installation revenue from custom-designed grid-tied and off-grid photovoltaic systems for residential and commercial properties. Revenue varies based on system size and component quality, typically ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 before incentives.
2. Battery Backup Systems: Battery storage system installation providing whole-home backup power and energy independence. Includes American-made Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP) batteries through Briggs and Stratton partnership and Enphase IQ batteries.
3. HVAC Services: High-efficiency heating and cooling system installation and services
4. Electrical Services: Licensed electrical services including wiring, EV charger installation, generators, and routine maintenance
5. Generators: Whole-home backup generator installation for automatic power during grid failures

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Next Step Energy designs and installs custom solar photovoltaic systems (grid-tied and off-grid), battery storage solutions, whole-home backup generators, EV chargers, high-efficiency HVAC systems, and licensed electrical services for residential and commercial properties in Western Wisconsin. The company delivers end-to-end design and installation using in-house architectural design capabilities, licensed master and journeyman electricians, and an experienced installation crew with over 40 years of regional experience since 1982.

Product overview

Next Step Energy LLC is a full-service renewable energy installation company offering custom solar, battery storage, generators, EV charging, HVAC, and electrical services for residential and commercial properties. The company provides both grid-tied and off-grid solar systems as its core offering, with complementary battery backup systems using Briggs and Stratton LFP batteries and Enphase IQ batteries. Additional services include whole-home backup generators, in-home EV chargers, high-efficiency HVAC systems, and comprehensive electrical services. The company also offers specialized components for solar hot water heating, radiant heating systems, and various boiler solutions including gas, wood, and electric options. As a one of the longest-standing solar companies in Wisconsin serving the Chippewa Valley since 1982, Next Step Energy designs custom systems tailored to individual customer needs rather than offering pre-configured packages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solar Panel Installation Custom solar panel system design and installation for residential and commercial properties, including grid-tied and off-grid photovoltaic systems. Each system is tailored to the individual property's energy usage, roof space, and shading conditions following a free in-person site assessment. Average residential systems range from $15,000 to $30,000 before incentives, with an 8-12 year payback period and 25+ year system lifespan.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8-12 year payback period on solar investments with 25+ year system lifespan
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Briggs and StrattoncoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to offer American-made military-grade Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP) batteries for whole-home battery backup systems. Batteries branded under Briggs and Stratton's energy storage division.
• CVTC Energy Education CenterflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing relationship with CVTC's Energy Education Center including multiple projects: solar thermal system, small wind generator, training units, solar flower, and 100.88 kW DC solar array. HVAC program students collaborated on installation, providing hands-on training.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Solar Optimum: Regional residential and commercial solar installer offering solar, battery, roofing, and EV charger integration. Comparable in product mix and custom-design approach to Next Step.
• All Energy Solar: Mid-size Midwest residential and commercial solar installer headquartered in Minnesota. Similar in offering (PV, battery, electrical) and regional scope to Next Step Energy's Wisconsin service area.
• Baker Electric Home Energy: Residential solar, battery, and electrical contractor combining licensed electrical contracting with solar installation — closely mirrors Next Step's integrated solar + electrical + HVAC model.
• Arch Solar: Regional residential and commercial solar installer serving Wisconsin and Minnesota. Comparable in scale and go-to-market (custom design, local presence) to Next Step Energy's Chippewa Valley focus.

Others

• CED Greentech: National distributor of solar PV, inverter, and battery equipment. Adjacent ecosystem participant supplying installers like Next Step, not a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Violet Power: Emerging US residential solar installer focused on homeowner experience and streamlined design. Partial overlap with Next Step on residential PV and battery offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Tesla Energy: National residential solar, Solar Roof, and Powerwall provider with deep marketing reach. Competes with Next Step on residential solar and battery storage across secondary markets.
• Sunrun: Largest US residential solar installer offering national leasing, PPA, and cash purchase options. Represents the scale competitor entering Next Step's regional markets with subscription-style offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/nextstepenergyllc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/next-step-energy-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 NEXT STEP ENERGY LLC