Though over a hundred solar companies fled the state when its utility, Rocky Mountain Power, cut solar incentives four years ago, Utah is one of the fastest-growing states for residential solar—but with a twist.
Many new customers are also purchasing grid-connected batteries, which is where Rocky Mountain Power's financial incentives for homeowners are flowing.
While others left, ES Solar, a local solar company, made the strategic call to go all-in on solar-plus-storage.
Steadily, ES Solar learned how to sell homeowners these more robust but expensive systems. The team overcame the added complexity of installing them. Then business took off.
Today, Rocky Mountain Power operates one of the nation's most innovative solar energy grids. The utility weaves together those batteries - installed in over 3,500 homes - to form a virtual power plant that keeps energy rates low and reduces reliance on fossil fuel plants.
ES Solar has installed 96% of Utah's residential solar-plus-storage systems in partnership with Rocky Mountain Power. The company's hard-won expertise in solar-plus-storage is powering its expansion to California, Idaho, and Wyoming.
Zach Randall, ES Solar's VP of Sales, joins the Supercool podcast to share his company's growth story, Utah's path to solar energy leadership, and why other states are playing catch-up to emulate Utah's success.