The Next Solar Energy Honors Innovation and Patriotism in Illinois
When it comes to merging bold design with clean energy impact, The Next Solar Energy stands in a league of its own. Led by CEO Roger Timoteo, the Illinois-based company earned top honors in the Commercial category of the 2024 APsystems USA Installation Awards for a remarkable solar project that quite literally waves the flag for sustainability.
Designed in the shape of the American flag, this commercial installation is both a high-performance energy system and a patriotic statement. “This project is a symbol of sustainability and patriotism,” said Timoteo. “It represents our commitment to innovation and the values we share with the communities we serve.”
What sets The Next Solar Energy apart is their ability to scale clean energy with creativity and efficiency. Known for delivering sleek, functional designs tailored to client goals, the team executed this complex array with precision—maximizing visibility and output without sacrificing affordability or reliability.
To power the installation, The Next Solar Energy chose APsystems DS3 microinverters, citing their ease of installation and time efficiency as key advantages. “Among others: ease of installation and time efficiency, these two features are extremely helpful for our planning and logistics team, especially for installs that need to be completed quickly,” said Timoteo.
While every project presents its own challenges, the team remained committed to problem-solving and performance delivery. “We have had some troubles trying to start up the system due to poor connectivity on-site, but APsystems support and our team’s effort allowed us to overcome those challenges,” he noted.
Timoteo also pointed out how APsystems stands apart from others in the microinverter space: “Overall we see these as the main differences: cost, flexibility, and product reliability. These factors make a big impact when you’re working on large-scale or time-sensitive installations.”
End user feedback has been “overwhelmingly positive,” with site owners noting the transparency and performance tracking that comes with APsystems’ real-time monitoring tools. “The local community has been very receptive to the design and idea behind the project,” Timoteo shared. “It’s something they’re proud to see in their area.”
The project has not only generated clean energy, but also served as a powerful example of how solar installations can go beyond function and become symbols of local pride and purpose.
“As a large company with multiple successfully installed APsystems projects, we continue to see value in both their product and their people,” said Timoteo. “We look forward to building more projects that align with our mission – and APsystems helps us make that possible.”
With this flag-shaped array, The Next Solar Energy has proven that technical excellence and creative vision are not mutually exclusive – they’re essential partners in building a sustainable future.
