Recognizing Standout Solar Installations: APsystems 2025 Project of the Year Winners

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At APsystems, innovation in solar is driven by the installers and partners who apply advanced technology to real-world challenges. Each year, our Project of the Year program highlights installations across the United States that demonstrate strong system design, technical execution, and meaningful impact.

The 2025 submissions reflected the continued growth of the solar industry across residential, commercial, nonprofit, and storage applications. We are proud to recognize this year’s Project of the Year winners, second place projects, and honorable mentions.

First Place Winners

In the nonprofit category, Swiftwater Electric and Solar earns first place for their installation at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church in Washington. Funded through a state resiliency grant, the system was designed to provide reliable power during outages, allowing the church to serve as a community refuge. APsystems DS3 microinverters were selected for their reliability and proven performance in critical-use applications.

Martin Solar takes first place in the storage category for the Waterloo Residential Tracker project in Illinois. The system combines a dual-axis tracking array with APsystems DS3 microinverters and a 120 kWh energy storage solution. Designed to maximize energy production and financial return, the project demonstrates how integrated solar and storage can deliver long-term value for residential customers.

Southeast Energy Solutions wins the commercial category for their installation at Silver Bluff Brewery in Georgia. The 96.9 kW rooftop system spans multiple elevations and navigates rooftop obstructions using QT2-208 microinverters. The design maximizes available roof space while providing detailed module-level monitoring and long-term reliability.

In the residential category, Solar Installers of Florida earns first place for their Longwood project. The 114-panel system spans six roof surfaces and offsets approximately $1,000 per month in electricity costs. APsystems microinverters enabled flexible array design, strong performance in partial shade, and a clean aesthetic with all wiring routed through the attic.

Second Place Winners

Jolma Electric LLC earns second place in the nonprofit category for their Bayfield Rec Center installation in Wisconsin, a grant-funded system that cuts electricity costs by roughly 50 percent using QT2-208 microinverters.

Second place in the commercial category goes to GRID Alternatives for The Carlton in South Los Angeles, where a rooftop solar system helps reduce energy costs for an affordable housing community using QT2-208 microinverters.

Ecotech Solar receives second place in the residential category for the Timber Creek Community project in Washington, a multi-home development designed with APsystems microinverters and future expansion in mind.

 

Honorable Mentions

Honorable mentions include Apollo Solar (operating as American Roofing Solar) for the Woodies Restorations project in Kentucky, Hardt Electric for their commercial installation at the American College of Chest Physicians headquarters in Illinois, and Bonbon Electric 2021 for the Orshansky Residence in California, all recognized for high-performing systems using APsystems microinverter technology.

Congratulations to all of our 2025 Project of the Year winners and honorees. Your work continues to raise the standard for solar installations across the United States.

 

SEE ALL PAST WINNERS HERE

 

From Craftsmanship to Code Compliance: Voices from the Field on TEDDY Talks Live

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TEDDY Talks continues with two new conversations recorded live at RE+, spotlighting the people, values, and knowledge shaping the solar industry today—and where it’s headed next in 2026.

EPISODE 10: Teddy talks with Peter Hardt, President of Hardt Electric, about legacy, craftsmanship, and leadership in solar. A third-generation contractor, Peter shares how ownership, precision, and pride drive reliable installs and long-term success.

EPISODE 11: Teddy sits down with Chris Crowell, former Editor in Chief of Solar Builder Magazine, to discuss installer education, code compliance, and what’s ahead in 2026. The conversation explores real-world challenges, market shifts, and new opportunities for installers.

Don’t miss these conversations and more from TEDDY Talks live at RE+. Hit Subscribe and stay tuned for upcoming episodes on YouTube!

Listen to past episodes and stay tuned as new releases roll out on Spotify.

WATCH MORE EPISODES HERE

Installer Perspective: 25-Year Warranty. Zero Headaches.

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Part three of our Real APtalk with Ready Solar is here!

Owner and founder Sukhpaul Parmar breaks down why APsystems continues to be his top choice — from our new 25-year warranty to reliable microinverters that keep callbacks off the calendar.

With years of installs and zero RMAs, his team stays focused on doing the job right the first time.

Reliable products. Fast support. A partner installers can trust.

WATCH PAST EPISODES 1 & 2 HERE

Capture the Holiday Rush for Plug-and-Play Solar with EZ1

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This season, give homeowners the gift of instant energy savings. The APsystems EZ1 plug-in microinverter makes it easy to generate solar power from balconies, sheds, patios, and gardens — no wiring, no hassle, just plug in and start saving.

We’re proud of our professional DS3 and QT2 rooftop microinverters, but some homeowners are looking for smaller, flexible, plug-and-play options to brighten up their balconies or backyard spaces. Rather than watching those micro-site purchases go elsewhere, why not wrap up those sales yourself?

For installers and distributors, EZ1 opens the door to new holiday-season opportunities:

• Add-on solar kits

• Direct-to-DIY bundles

• Quick, small-project installs

This year, turn DIY solar into a season of growth — not competition. EZ1 gives you a new way to reach homeowners who want simple, affordable solar they can install themselves.

Let’s make this a brilliant season for your business. Reach out to learn more about EZ1.

PARTNER SUCCESS STORY: Forest Preserve: Net Zero Facility

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Hardt Electric Helps Deliver a Net-Zero Future for Illinois Forest Preserve Using APsystems Microinverters

The Forest Preserve District’s largest site—spanning nearly 3,000 acres of protected land, trails, winter recreation areas, fishing ponds, and habitat for 24 threatened and endangered species—is now home to a state-of-the-art net-zero maintenance facility powered by APsystems technology.

As part of a comprehensive transformation plan launched in 2021, the District set out to build a new 9,800-square-foot facility that could operate entirely on clean energy. Meeting these ambitious goals required an experienced contractor capable of navigating both the technical demands of net-zero construction and the environmental protection standards of this sensitive site—including a nationally designated 70-acre bog.

Hardt Electric, a Chicago-based electrical contractor with over fifty years of service and more than two decades of renewable-energy expertise, led the design and construction of the solar system. The team engineered a 40 kW grid-interactive photovoltaic array designed to generate 100% of the building’s annual energy needs—and it’s already outperforming expectations.

Tight site constraints required the solar array to be installed within a restricted footprint and at closer-than-normal racking distances. By selecting APsystems microinverter technology, Hardt Electric ensured the system would continue to deliver maximum production even with intermittent shading and limited spacing. The microinverters’ ability to operate efficiently in higher-temperature environments with greater system reliability, their four-module input design, real-time monitoring capabilities and the safety features of the technology were key advantages in meeting the project’s performance goals.

“APsystems played a strategic role in maximizing the system’s output,” said Peter Hardt, President of Hardt Electric, in a recent discussion onsite with Teddy Hodges of TEDDY Talks. “With the environmental limitations we had to work within, microinverters gave us the flexibility, efficiency, and reliability this project demanded.”

The result:
A fully net-zero facility powered by a solar array that is already producing more energy than modeled—delivering long-term operational savings and a smaller carbon footprint for the Forest Preserve District.

This project reflects the growing trend of municipalities and public agencies turning to advanced solar technologies to meet sustainability commitments while protecting critical natural habitats. APsystems is proud to support Hardt Electric and the Forest Preserve District in realizing a cleaner, more resilient future for the community.

PARTNER SUCCESS STORY: Cut Costs, Boost Reliability – Swiftwater Talks APsystems

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Swiftwater Electric and Solar has been serving customers since 2005 as a trusted electrical contractor in the San Juan Islands. Recently, they’ve expanded their services to include solar, batteries, and generators, offering high-quality installations tailored to each customer’s unique energy needs. “We work closely with our customers to design and install solar systems that are efficient, reliable, and cost-effective,” says owner David Nicol. Their passion for solar energy drives their commitment to making clean energy accessible to everyone, helping build a sustainable future for the community.

David Nicol shared why Swiftwater Electric and Solar chose APsystems microinverters for their solar projects. “They have a sub-1% unit failure rate, which is great,” he says, highlighting APsystems’ reliability. The 2:1 architecture “means we have half the equipment on the roof — and half the opportunity for anything to fail,” providing peace of mind for both installers and homeowners.

Cost savings are another major benefit: “Now an inverter system is less than a solar panel on a per-watt basis — that saves us money and saves our customers money,” Nicol explains. Combined with APsystems’ extended warranty, the switch has been seamless: “I have fully switched over to APS and so far it’s been a great experience for us.”

As early adopters in their market, Swiftwater Electric and Solar has also set a trend among other installers. “More than three-quarters of the time, when we compete with another installer, they’re also quoting APS — that makes me feel better about my choice,” Nicol notes. With APsystems, Swiftwater Electric and Solar has found a solution that is reliable, cost-effective, and widely trusted — a perfect match for their commitment to delivering high-quality, customer-focused solar solutions.

World’s Largest Microinverter-Powered Solar Project – 6,442 APsystems Microinverters!

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Located at the Nanjing International Expo Center in China, this landmark 25MW solar project spans over 150,000 square meters. It features 6,442 APsystems QT2D microinverters and more than 40,000 high-efficiency photovoltaic modules. The system is expected to generate approximately 24.8 million kWh annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 25,000 tons each year—the equivalent of planting 900,000 trees. This project sets a global benchmark for clean energy, showcasing the power of microinverter technology in driving sustainable, low-carbon development.

99 QT2s Power Affordable Housing in Reno

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A new solar installation in Reno, Nevada, is now powering The Marvel Way Complex—an innovative, affordable sober-living community for individuals and families—with clean, renewable energy. The project features APsystems’ advanced microinverter technology, ensuring maximum efficiency and reliability. The Marvel Complex is spearheaded by The Empowerment Center, a Reno-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting recovery and empowerment in the community.

The 177 kW system was supplied by ABC Carson City and installed by Nnv Solar, a Reno-based solar contractor. The installation includes five carport rooftop arrays and one large building rooftop array, which alone incorporates about 400 solar panels to maximize on-site generation.

In total, the project uses 99 APsystems QT2 microinverters, delivering reliable and efficient power conversion across the site. The development represents a significant step forward in combining sustainable energy solutions with much-needed affordable housing, supported through an innovative public-private partnership model.

With projects like this, APsystems’ high-capacity microinverter technology continues to demonstrate its value in commercial and multifamily applications, helping communities access resilient and cost-effective renewable energy.

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Carlson Electric’s Groundbreaking Nonprofit Installation at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center

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In Superior, Wisconsin, history and clean energy now stand side by side. Carlson Electric LLC has been named the U.S. Nonprofit Winner in APsystems’ 2024 Installation Awards for their thoughtful 21.6kW ground-mounted solar project at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center. The installation not only lowers operating costs for the Center but also demonstrates how solar power can educate and inspire an entire community.

The project began when the Bong Center applied for and received a Solar for Good Grant from the Couillard Solar Foundation, with support from RENEW Wisconsin. The grant covered half the cost of the solar panels, but the Center still needed an experienced local partner to bring the vision to life. Having already completed work for other Solar for Good recipients, Carlson Electric was the natural choice, bringing both expertise and a strong community connection.

Technical requirements made APsystems the clear solution. With the Center’s 3-phase, 208V service, options were limited, but APsystems’ QT2 microinverter proved to be a perfect fit. “The QT2 microinverter’s ability to handle 3-phase, 208V power was critical for this nonprofit site, making APsystems the ideal partner,” explained Dan Herscher, Sales Consultant at Carlson Electric. The QT2’s unique 4:1 panel-to-microinverter ratio also enabled faster, more efficient installation compared to traditional 1:1 microinverters, saving time and labor on-site.

For the Bong Center, solar was never just about offsetting bills. A key goal of the project is education: real-time monitoring of the system’s production will be displayed prominently in the Center’s lobby, giving visitors – school groups, veterans’ families, and community members alike – a window into renewable energy in action. “The Bong Center is pleased with the ability to monitor the solar production,” Herscher shared. “Displaying solar production on a monitor was a major requirement, and APsystems technology makes that possible.”

In April of this year a ribbon cutting featuring the Mayor of Superior, Chamber of Commerce representatives, local media, and other community leaders. Carlson Electric received a warm reception, as this community project represents both an investment in clean energy and a tribute to veterans through lower operating costs that help sustain the Center’s mission.

While Carlson Electric specializes in residential and small commercial projects, this installation reflects the company’s growing role in nonprofit and community-focused solar. Herscher and the team continue to build momentum, grateful for APsystems’ reliability and innovation. “We really appreciate having a 3-phase microinverter option,” Herscher added, underscoring how critical the QT2 has become to their work.

From lowering costs to educating visitors, Carlson Electric’s award-winning project shows how clean energy can do more than power buildings – it can power stories, legacies, and communities.

 

SEE OTHER WINNERS HERE

 

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APsystems Microinverters Power CHEST Headquarters in Landmark Chicago Solar Project

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Together with Powering Chicago and Hardt Electric, APsystems is proud to power the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) headquarters in Glenview, Illinois. This landmark solar installation is not only a showcase of renewable energy but also the culmination of nearly two years of collaboration and dedication.

This journey began two years ago, when a CHEST surgeon visited the APsystems booth at the Midwest Solar Expo and asked how solar power could support the organization’s mission of advancing lung and environmental health. From that initial conversation, APsystems worked side by side with CHEST staff to provide education on the benefits of solar power, support system design, and connect them with Hardt Electric, a trusted local IBEW union contractor.

Over the following two years, APsystems supported the project with design input and on-site training to ensure long-term system performance. The result is a rewarding example of how early conversations, teamwork, and technical expertise can lead to meaningful results — in this case, a system that offsets one-third of the facility’s power needs and cuts energy costs by $40,000 annually, reduces environmental impact, and aligns CHEST’s facilities with their mission. The installation integrates APsystems QT2-483 phase microinverters, delivering reliable energy conversion for years to come and

For APsystems, this project represents more than technology; it highlights the value of persistence, partnership, and renewable energy in advancing both health and sustainability.

READ MORE HERE