REPOWER by Solar Universe
 | |
| Founded | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Joseph Bono |
| Headquarters | Livermore, California |
Key people |
Mahesh Mansukhani, CEO Daniel Rubin, SVP |
| Website |
repower |
REPOWER by Solar Universe is an American solar electricity company, serving homeowners, businesses and government/non-profit organizations with professional installation, design and permits, maintenance, and financing options for solar energy systems.[1]
REPOWER is headquartered in Livermore, California but the company uses a franchise model in which it provides a national network of locally owned and operated solar installers with training and support.[2] The franchise has 42 locations[3] in 12 states.[4][5]
Since 2012, REPOWER has achieved industry-leading customer satisfaction and loyalty scores. The 2015 survey resulted in the company achieving an average Net Promoter Score of 82 across its national franchise network, putting it ahead of leading international consumer brands including Costco (79), Amazon.com (69), Southwest Airlines (62), and Apple (47).[6]
History
Solar Universe was founded in 2007 by Joseph Bono, the company’s current CEO, after he spent several years as a successful Quiznos franchisee in the Bay Area and saw a need for a comprehensive franchising application in the solar installation industry. After an initial investment of $1 million, the company received $7 million in series B funding in 2011 from RockPort Capital Management.[7][8] Just two years after its founding, Solar Universe was one of the top 10 solar installers in California.[9] In 2012 Entrepreneur Magazine ranked Solar Universe one of the 50 best new franchise concepts and selected it for the prestigious "Franchise 500," alongside such industry leaders as Subway, 7-Eleven Inc., and McDonalds.[10]
In September 2013, Solar Universe acquired Gen110, a Kleiner Perkins backed pioneer of customer acquisition and direct sales.
REPOWER by Solar Universe
On May 7, 2015, Solar Universe re-launched its brand as REPOWER by Solar Universe. In addition, the company began including complementary smart home components with solar installation. The bundle includes a solar system smartphone app, temperature monitoring, lighting controls and alerts, all at no cost with every new solar system purchased.[11]
New CEO
On May 20, 2015, Mahesh Mansukhani was named chief executive officer.[12]
Company founder Joe Bono remains on REPOWER's board of directors and in a consultative role.
References
- ↑ Company Overview on Bloomberg Businessweek
- ↑ About Us on solaruniverse.com
- ↑ "Press Releases". repower.solaruniverse.com. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ↑ "All Solar Locations | REPOWER". repower.solaruniverse.com. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ↑ At a Glance in Entrepreneur
- ↑ "Press Releases". repower.solaruniverse.com. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ↑ Solar Universe Raises $7 Million To Franchise Solar Installation | TechCrunch
- ↑ Solar Universe Wants to Expand Dealer Franchise With $7 Million Round : Greentech Media
- ↑ RockPort Capital Management Portfolio: Solar Universe Background
- ↑ Top New Franchises List in Entrepreneur Magazine
- ↑ "Press Releases". repower.solaruniverse.com. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ↑ "Press Releases | REPOWER". repower.solaruniverse.com. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
Further reading
- Daley, Jason (September 16, 2011). "A Bright Forecast for a Solar Panel Installation Franchise". Entrepreneur Magazine. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
- "Solar Universe Names Yeffa as CFO". Monitor Daily. March 15, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
- Brown, Steven E.F. (March 15, 2011). "Solar Universe hires Cartridge World's Steven Yeffa as CFO". San Francisco Business Times. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
- "Solar Universe gets $7M, grows team". Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. January 25, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
External links
- Official website
- Wang, Ucilia (January 24, 2011). "Solar Universe Aims to be McDonald’s of Solar, Raises $7M." Gigaom.
- "Green Building Classes: Northern California Solar Energy Association, Inc.". The California Energy Commission. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
- "Interview with Dusty Ansley, VP of Franchise Development for Solar Universe". Yahoo! Small Business Advisor. June 18, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2012.