Sungevity
Sungevity is this year’s Emerging Winner, a firm less than five year old that is having significant impact. Sungevity, based in Oakland, California and with an additional Berkeley location, is a residential solar installer that has pioneered an online 24-hour iQuote process allowing it to use satellite images and aerial photography to assess customers’ roofs remotely. This process, which is faster, less expensive and less carbon consuming, is quickly becoming the industry standard. The firm also offers a 10-year solar lease that requires no upfront costs and allows customers to begin saving money as soon as the system is interconnected to the grid.
Sungevity has a strong commitment to employee engagement, health, and wellness. None of the firm’s 240 full time employees makes more than 10 times the lower paid employee, and firm-wide communication is a high priority. Sungevity offers 100% employer-paid health insurance as well as 401(k), career ladders, and training via Sungevity U, and new employees are paired with a mentor from their department. More unique benefits include ergonomic workstation adjustments, free flu shots, an onsite yoga program, company kayaks, a company pool table, periodic free in-office massages, and a fully stocked company kitchen that includes organic fruits and vegetables. The firm is working with local colleges and universities to improve their green jobs training programs, and has hired employees via agencies such as the Employment Development Board, East Bay Works, Solar Richmond, and Grid Alternatives.
Sungevity is a certified B Corporation. The firm has a non-profit fundraising department that has raised more than $200,000 in 2011 for non-profits such as Sierra Club and the Wilderness Society. Annually Sungevity employees take part in a local event installing solar energy on homes in low-income communities.
