sustainability
employer : A & R Solar location : Seattle , Wash . & Milwaukie , Ore . number of employees : 50 website : www . a-rsolar . com
A & R Solar
In a state with the greenest energy grid in the nation , A & R Solar adds a little sunshine to the mix for businesses and homeowners that want to take the extra clean-energy step .
the company : A & R Solar founders Andy Yatteau and Reeves Clippard began operations a decade ago as a solar installation company . Today , the company lends its expertise to employers of all sizes and homeowners to find the right solar system fit for their needs . The company then helps design , build and maintain those solar energy systems . To date , A & R Solar has completed 1,200 solar projects , including Washington state ’ s largest solar project on the roof of the new Ikea store in Renton , totaling more than 10 megawatts of clean energy . A & R Solar employs 50 people , 15 of which are employee owners , and is on a path to have as many as 75 employees over the next few months . It expanded its operations to include Oregon last year .
innovative environmental stewardship : A large part of A & R Solar ’ s work is done up front in examining the exact needs of a business or a home and then creating a solution specific to that customer . Once installed , a solar energy system can provide clean , free energy for up to 40 years . The solar projects complement Washington ’ s green , low-carbon hydroelectricity by adding the additional layer of locally produced low-carbon energy for their customers — from small breweries to large commercial operations and singlefamily homes to entire neighborhoods — that want to take more control of where their energy comes from , lowering their carbon footprint , and building resilience .
in their own words : “ We develop a lot of trust with our clients because they understand we ’ re willing to help them find the best solution to fit their needs now and for decades to come . We ’ re helping build the entire clean energy industry , not just one project .”
— Reeves Clippard , CEO , A & R Solar
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