Civic Renewables to build national network of local solar installers
Solar industry veterans, with financial backing from GEF Capital, are launching Civic Renewables to create a new business model to empower local solar businesses through a national network. Civic Renewables launches with two great local solar installation businesses — Green Rack Solar and Ipsun Solar — and is “actively pursuing opportunities with local businesses across the country.”
Civic Renewables will act as the parent company and offer the resources and efficiencies of a large organization with the commitment to quality, service, and integrity of community-based businesses.
“Providing local solar businesses the tools to thrive is the key to accelerating solar adoption nationwide,” said Lee Keshishian, founder and CEO of Civic Renewables. “Green Rack and Ipsun are fantastic local companies that deliver the highest quality installations and service in their market. We’ve founded Civic Renewables to support these exact types of great local businesses and allow them to flourish.”
Civic Renewables snapshot
- Civic Renewable’s founding leadership brings decades of experience from leading solar companies, including Tesla Energy, SolarCity, and SunRun.
- GEF Capital is a Washington, D.C.-based private equity firm focused on climate change and pollution mitigation.
- Green Rack Solar specializes in residential solar installations in Western Pennsylvania and Ohio.
- Ipsun Solar specializes in residential and commercial solar installations across Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland.
“We are excited to partner with Civic Renewables in their efforts to support local solar businesses and accelerate clean energy solutions. Their mission to speed the clean energy transition by empowering local solar will help people transition towards less expensive forms of renewable energy. We have great confidence in the Civic Renewables team’s ability to lead this charge and build this new business model,” said Stuart Barkoff, co-founder and Managing Partner of GEF Capital Partners.
“Partnering with Civic Renewables allows us to focus on what we do best – quality installation and service. I know and respect the team at Civic, this is a perfect fit for us as we move forward to help our community’s homeowners unlock remarkable financial savings through solar,” said Eben Needham, Founder of Green Rack Solar.
Civic Renewables leadership
Lee Keshishian, CEO and founder | For nearly two decades, Lee has been at the forefront of residential solar, working with industry leaders, including Tesla Energy, SolarCity, and Palmetto. He co-founded Clean Currents Solar in the Washington, D.C. area in 2007, installing solar systems for residential, commercial, and governmental clients.
Jim Cahill, SVP of Operations, Civic & General Manager, Ipsun | With a career spanning over two decades in the renewable energy sector, Jim has held leadership roles at Clean Fuel Connection, SolarCity, Tesla Energy, and SunRun. In the mid-1990s, Jim founded Clean Fuel Connection, where he spearheaded innovative projects in clean energy. He then spent a decade at SolarCity, leading major operational initiatives and contributing to the company’s exponential growth. At Tesla Energy and SunRun, Jim continued to shape the future of residential solar through strategic leadership and execution.
Sean Foy, VP of Systems & Data | Over the past decade, Sean has excelled in leadership roles focused on managing processes, systems, and analytics for large-scale solar organizations. His experience spans leadership positions in multiple organizations where he has successfully implemented cutting-edge systems and processes.
Jason Jones, VP, Finance | Jason’s career began in public accounting, where he honed his skills in financial analysis and strategic planning. He then transitioned to a senior leadership role in a midsized solar organization, where he played a key role in its financial operations and growth.
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