September 30, 2025
Here are the nominees from 101 kW to 1 MW for the 2025 Solar builder Project of the Year Awards.
The form is at the bottom of the page. From now on until Friday, October 10 at midnight (et) you can vote once a day. (For your information: our voting widget shall Let you vote more than once a day, but we filter it in the back-end. Sorry, ballot papers.) Winners will be announced and prominently present in the Q4 number by Solar builder Magazine and online in December.
Thanks Aurora Solar For sponsoring the 2025 Project of the Year Awards.
Make sure you vote in every category!
Active church
Yucaipa, California | 112 KW
The active ecclesiastical solar project then started a local residential solar panel with a mission: helping the church to reduce its rising energy costs and to invest those savings back in its community. Via a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Sunrock, the church was able to switch to Solar from its own pocket without money. One of the most innovative aspects of this project was the design itself. Sunrock suggested to arrange the panels to form a cross, as a supplement to the glass with the church and the central transe window. In order to further improve its presence, they recorded LED lighting on remote-controls, so that the crosses could glow at night and a functional solar system turn into an inspiring visual explanation of faith and sustainability. The biggest challenge came with navigating through the Net Energy Metering (NEM) 2.0 Deadline with Edison in South California. Nowadays, the solar system not only compensates for the energy consumption of the church, but also generates meaningful savings that are diverted to service, youth programs, music, staff and community support.
Developer/EPC: WATTHUB -Refinable energy sources | Installer: JDC -Energy | Modules: Boviet Solar | Inverters: Dissolved | Assembly/Rekken: Iron
Elmhurst Park District
Elmhurst, Illinois | 675 KW
The Solar project of Elmhurst Park is a great example of how public agencies can lead the way to embrace sustainable energy solutions in a cost -efficient way. Completed in July 2025 by DSD -renewable energy sources and General Energy, the 674.96 KW solar system on the roof at the courts of the District Plus facility is designed to generate approximately 754 MWh of clean electricity annually, making approximately 50% of the total electricity consumption of facility. This project votes in accordance with the dedication of the district of sustainability while the local community benefits and serves as a physical memory of residents of the positive effects that offer clean energy solutions, especially because technology continues to stimulate a rapid demand for energy.
Capital costs in advance and budgetary limitations are often an obstacle for many public authorities when they are looking for impactful solutions. With the ownership and operation of the DSD project, the district was able to lock energy prices through a 20-year Power Contract (PPA), avoiding installation costs and securing a stable, stable clean energy source. According to this contract, the district is expected to achieve net savings of more than $ 300,000 in the 20 -year period, so that it can use its energy saving to re -invest in community programs, facility improvements or additional sustainability initiatives. Installing a system of this scale on an existing roof required careful coordination to ensure that the system is designed and used to meet the structural requirements of the building and to minimize disruption in a popular and highly traded community facility.
Developer: DSD -Refinable energy sources | EPC/Installation program: General energy | Modules: Hanwha Qcells | Inverters: Chint Power Systems | Storage: N/A | Assembly/Stretch: Unirac
Gilman Bros Co.
Gilman, Connecticut | 750 kW
For many medium -sized manufacturers, the rising costs and complexity of energy have become a strategic challenge. In addition to costs, sustainability itself is difficult to tackle in energy-intensive industries such as extrusion, whereby the scale of consumption increases any challenge. The Gilman Brothers Co., a 128-year-old, family business in Connecticut, confronted this challenge through a partnership with Budderfly. Their $ 1.5 million solar project illustrates how the use of Energy-As-A-Service (EAAS) can help to eliminate these financial and operational barriers.
Budderfly implemented a 750 KW solar system on the roof for Gilman Brothers, in addition to LED lighting, very efficient HVAC and advanced controls. The project is expected to lower electricity consumption in two, the energy costs by a maximum of 30% per year. Through the Eaas approach of Budderfly, the company takes on the design, financing, installation and long-term management of the project, all without costs for Gilman Brothers. Gilman Brothers had access to the energy, the business community and the other benefits of solar energy and preserving his focus on core production. Although the project currently contains no storage, the company develops 240 kW / 1.2 MWh as a potential extra phase.
Developer/EPC/Installer: Budderfly | Modules: Silfab | Inverters: Dissolved | Assembly/Rekken: Unirac
Nicolet Union High School
Glendale, Wisconsin | 389.13 KW
The 715 Solar System module on the roof of Nicolet Union High School in Glendale, Wisconsin, is designed to overcome complex challenges on the roof, including seven different sections, different heights, shadow and structural disabilities. In the first year, the system produced more than 477 MWh of clean electricity, whereby 19% of the school energy consumption was compensated, which saved the district more than $ 52,000 annually. During the life of the system, the expected savings are greater than $ 2.2 million and offer a payback time of only 6.4 years thanks to the support of federal and state rates, including the Inflation Reduction Act and Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy Program.
More than a technical triumph, this is a Legacy project driven by the community. Designed with future scalability and integration of battery storage in mind, it not only increases the energy efficiency of the school, but also transforms the roof into a live voice classroom. With the SolarEdge monitoring platform, more than 1,000 students now have real -time access to irradiation, temperature and performance data, which deepens their understanding of renewable energy technologies. This project is a model for how smart solar technologies can stimulate environmental impact, financial performance and educational enrichment, all in one.
Developer: Nicolet Union High School | EPC/Installer: Boogzonne | Modules: Znshine Solar And Philadelphia Solar | Inverters: Dissolved | Assembly/Rekken: Terrace
Ladies bean project
Denver, Colorado | 102 KW
The Namaste Solar, based in Colorado, collaborated with Women’s Bean Project to install a 102 KW sun system on the roof and one EV charging station at the Non-profit head office in Denver. This installation is designed to compensate 120% of the electrical use of women’s bean project, so that operating costs are considerably reduced and enables the organization to invest further in its mission to support women’s empowerment through employment. The solar project is fully financed by Denver’s renewable energy sources and resilience fair, which demonstrates the dedication of the city to support renewable energy initiatives in non -profit organizations.
During the 25+ year lifetime of the system, Women’s Bean Project is expected to save $ 300,775 in operating costs. Moreover, it is expected that participation in the Solar*Rewards program of Xcel Energy will generate $ 99,228 in income for the next 20 years. These combined savings will directly support the Women’s Bean Project programs that offer job training and employment to women who have important obstacles to work. The organization offers extensive programs that equip women with vacancies and life skills, so that the cycle of poverty can be broken to build a better future. It is estimated that these savings will finance more than 15,000 hours of program services.
Developer: Ladies bean project | EPC/Installer: Namaste Solar | Modules: Longi | Inverters: CPS | Assembly/Rekken: Panel
Yanfeng Seats Mexico Solar Project
Mexico | 630 kW
Yanfeng Seat on the solar energy project of Mexico in San Luis Potosí is an example of how the Supply Chain of the Automotive Renewable Energy embraces to achieve ambitious global sustainability goals. Collaborated with Forefront Power, Yanfeng installed a 630 KWDC solar energy system with a combination of roof and carport arrays to maximize the available space and deliver value in the long term. The system is designed to generate 1,169,000 kWh of renewable electricity every year. It is important that 100% of this energy compensates the peak of electricity use during the day of the facility, so that grid dependence is immediately reduced when demand is highest. The installation is expected to deliver 43% of the annual consumption of the San Luis Potosí seat. Technically, the project required innovative integration of solar arroys on the roof and parking crest on an active production campus. This double design not only maximizes the energy output, but also provides functional benefits such as shady parking for staff and visitors. Developed under a PPA with preface, the project did not require the investment of capital in advance. Instead, Yanfeng benefits from a fixed, underlying electricity rate during the 10-year contract period (an estimated $ 26 million peso or $ 1.4 million USD in savings).
Developer: Anterior strength | EPC/Installation program: Amara | Modules: Longi | Inverters: Huawei | Storage: N/A | Assembly/Stretch: Ralux (carports) and Maintain (Roof)
Tags: Commercial and Industrial, Community Solar, Poy, Project of the Year, Project of the Year Awards
