Being part of the solar industry is often described when driving on the SolarCoaster – there have been many ups and downs, whether it concerns favorable tax credits that are installed or confronted with the delivery. No company has made more often in the last 30 years than REC Solar (no. 89 on The list of top contractors from 2025)). The Solar Independent Power Producer (IPP) has sold parts of his company, purchased by a utility, offered for sale and is now under investments in private equity – and the REC Solar brand has never been stronger. The secret of success can be the dedication of his employees, especially those who have endured all transitions of REC Solar.
REC Solar has made a name for himself on the market for distributed generation.
REC -Zonne -Energy was founded in 1997 as a solar installation company that worked in all markets. In 2014 REC Solar sold its residential division to Sunrun and chose to fully concentrate on distributed generation. At the time, many electric utilities recognized the growing popularity of distributed generation (DG) projects and wanted to expand their energy portfolios. Duke Energy acquired a majority stake in REC Solar in 2015, allowing REC SOLAR to offer extra financing options to customers, including lease contracts and PPAs. In 2017, Duke Energy Rec Solar fully acquired and the sun company became a branch of the Duke Energy Renewables organization. In 2021, Duke combined its renewable companies under a new commercial brand name: Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions.
After years with REC Solar under his umbrella, Duke wanted from the installation space, so that it could concentrate on its utility and grid efforts. In 2023 it sold its utility scale line to Brookfield, and the commercial company, together with REC Solar, went to investment firm Arffight Capital Partners.
Matthew Thomas has been with REC Solar through every important event of the last decade plus. Thomas started residential activities in 2009 at REC Solar before he finally landed in Finance. Thomas is currently as a CFO of REC Solar and was in the room when many of the versions of the company took shape.
“I consider this, at least for myself, as REC 4.0,” he said. “We have completed different iterations since I am in the area, but I feel really good about our property [today]. They want us to succeed. ‘
REC SOLAR VP of Sales and Marketing Ann Kroll agrees that Arylight REC Solar offers the means to succeed now as an independent power producer instead of just an EPC.
“I had to go through the sales process and talk to all companies,” she said. “Working with an investment firm can be intimidating, but Arffight made it clear that they were the smartest and most helpful people. They are here to help us succeed. They bring people in to help us.”
Kroll came to REC Solar during the Duke Investment in 2016 and even became a Duke Energy employee before he jumped back to REC Solar today.
“I was in technology and I enjoyed what I did, but I didn’t make contact with the product,” she said about her career for REC Solar. “To go to solar energy and actually to give what I did was something nice. That is the culture, and when I came to Rec, I noticed that as a difference. They were friendly and smart people who were there for the long term. It was not a culture of ‘me’ that I saw in the technical world. It was it. [about working] together. That cultural DNA really helps us to take the chapter that we need to support and evolve customers. “
The Duke-recec of solar panel relationship was mutually beneficial. Duke Energy wanted influence in the DG world, and REC Solar wanted the financial support to offer customers better options to go on solar energy. Although they have gone their own way, Kroll said that Duke was necessary to put REC Solar on his way to success today.
“It offered differentiation that we had a really strong and solid foundation to support and offer PPAs,” she said. “From the brand’s point of view, we are not only a mother and pop shop. We really have support to finance and our own systems for the long term. Duke has enabled us to have financing, and now we have Arstight, which is super respected and they have that solid foundation.”
Thomas said that external support and respect for REC Solar as a brand also resonate internally.
“There are not many solar companies that still do what we do, 10 or 20 years later,” he said. “I don’t think we are complacent. It took a lot of work to make it for 20 years. It will take a lot of work to keep doing it. We see many employees coming back [to REC] That was once left. I think that speaks with people who work in the industry [recognizing] That REC has something special. ‘
Some devoted REC -Zonne employees: Matthew Thomas, CFO (left); Ann Kroll, VP of Sales and Marketing (center); Robb Jetty, CEO (right).
A new rent that recognized the magic of REC Solar and Wilde in IS CEO Robb Jetty. With a long -term career in solar energy, Jetty joined REC Solar in 2024.
“Rec Solar is not only a respected market leader for decades, but it also remains one of the most recognized brands in the industry,” he said. “I was attracted to the opportunity to grow another company in the distributed generation room and to work together with such a talented, respected and specially driven team.
“Solar is a constantly evolving industry that is powered by new technologies, markets and stimuli. You have to choose a team that you know will be here for the long term,” Jetty continued.
By whatever the next three decades, REC Solar will adjust, and dedicated employees will continue with the ride.
“We have a lot of wind on our back, especially with the uncertainty in the market at the moment. If we feel that we are still going in a positive direction. It’s the Solarcoaster, right?” Said Thomas. ‘Maybe it’s because I have seen everything [in 16 years at REC]But I feel that we are now in the best place we have been, and we set up the company for success. “
This story could only be seen in our 2025 problem with the best solar contractors. View the problem and the full list of best American solar installers here.
