SPG Solar, Inc. (SPG)

SPG Solar, Inc. (SPG) has its roots in the electrical contracting business. It was established in 2001 by Dan Thompson, a 20-year union electrician who was keenly aware of industry trends and the skyrocketing cost of electricity. Dan saw great opportunity for renewable energy in the coalescence of generous state rebates, federal tax credits, utility company net energy metering, and escalating customer demand for energy alternatives. His vision was to make solar power widely accessible by designing and building the highest-performing solar PV systems in the industry, and insulating customers from unpredictable electricity prices.

Named one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Hot 100 Fastest Growing Companies in America, SPG Solar has become the leader in the integrated development, design and construction of solar PV systems for business, government, agriculture, schools and homes. We have designed and installed over 1,000 grid-tied, residential and commercial solar PV systems, more than any other company in Pacific Gas & Electric’s territory.

Over 500 of these systems have been for homes in northern California. The others have been commercial systems ranging from a 4.0 kW project at San Francisco’s AT&T Park, to a 1.18 MW installation for Butte County. SPG has received the largest renewable energy rebate in state history two times: one for an installation for the Sewerage Commission in Oroville, California, totaling $2.3 million; and another for an installation for Butte County, California, totaling $4.2 million.

SPG Solar is unique. Our team has extensive experience, credentials, knowledge, and a passion for the business. We closely link modeling, building and monitoring to optimize our PV systems for the dollar value of energy produced, which provides customers with a solar solution that has the best return on investment (ROI) the industry has to offer. Since SPG Solar does design, engineering, and installation in-house, our technicians and installers have more hands-on experience than others in the industry. And SPG was one of the first solar firms whose key construction and design employees were certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

That’s just the beginning of what makes SPG Solar the best solar company for both residential and commercial jobs. We also deliver turnkey systems that meet or exceed their energy production estimates; in fact, SPG’s combined PV modeling and monitoring systems are the most advanced and accurate in the industry. Our Customer Care Department provides outstanding long-term post-installation support, which is why our customer referrals are so high. We design, patent, manufacture and sell our own solar products through Thompson Technology Industries, Inc. (TTI). And, because solar is a global energy solution, we formed SPG Solar International, Inc. (SPGI) to build projects for our customers overseas.

There is no other solar company like SPG Solar. Solutions-oriented thinking, a culture that prizes innovation, and the highest-performing solar PV systems in the industry are both the foundation of SPG Solar, and our promise to our customers.

Dan Thompson started SPG Solar, Inc. in early 2001, to provide renewable energy alternatives to customers whose electric rates were escalating. Dan’s strong background in the electrical contracting and construction industry, coupled with his interest in renewable energy, have made him an industry leader in the development and design of comprehensive solar PV systems. An equally strong interest in innovative solar products led him to found Thompson Technology Industries, Inc. (TTI) in 2005. Under his leadership, TTI offers a full range of state-of-the-art solar PV products that enable professional installers to optimize installation practices and labor time.

Dan is recognized internationally for his vision and active participation in the PV industry. He represents SPG and SPGI in the global solar PV market, and was the only U.S. representative to speak at the 2004 International Congress on Renewable Energy (ICORE), in Bangalore, India. He contributes his experience and insights to developing state policy and legislation, and has helped educate thousands of people at solar industry events and conferences, including the Solar Power 2005 CEO Panel and community planning meetings.

Dan is a licensed and bonded California General B, Electrical C-10, and Solar C-46 contractor.

Denise joined SPG in the company’s second year of business. Initially brought in as Project Manager, she has been instrumental in developing the company’s Construction and Installation Department. With primary focus on the growing residential and small commercial markets, she helped to increase the company’s installation capacity from 600 kW a year in 2002 to over 2,000 kW in 2004.

In 2005, Denise was promoted to Vice President. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the company, from both an administrative and project management standpoint, managing sales, design, construction, marketing and human resources. In addition to these operational duties, Denise is charged with continually upgrading processes and procedures within SPG, to identify and implement techniques that streamline the company’s ability to design and build solar installations efficiently and economically.

Denise joined SPG after working in both feature film and TV studio work for Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox. She was also a project manager for the largest post-production company in Los Angeles, and a member of the executive staff of Liberty Livewire (now Ascent Media).

Denise is a graduate of San Francisco State University with a B.A. in Liberal Arts.

Steve joined with SPG in January 2005 and spearheads large commercial and utility-scale PV project development activities throughout the country. He has over 25 years’ experience in the energy sector, and has developed or directed more than 500 energy projects. His energy focus has followed the evolution of the electricity market from large, centrally-located 1,000 MW nuclear and fossil fuel generating stations owned by regulated utilities, to smaller 1-25 MW distributed generation assets utilizing renewable resources with varied ownership.

Prior to joining with SPG, McKenery held senior executive management positions with PowerLight Corporation and Solar Utility Company, where he was instrumental in the rapid growth of the commercial PV sector in Southern California, San Diego and Arizona. He also held a variety of senior management positions with Southern California Edison (SCE). After completing SCE’s high voltage 220 and 500 kV transmission line
network from Arizona into Southern California, he took over engineering and construction management of its extensive 1,000 MW hydroelectric system. During the mid-1990’s, Steve directed SCE’s world-class R&D technology deployment program. This $100 million portfolio focused on leading-edge power generation technology including solar photovoltaic and thermal, dish-sterling, microturbines, fuel cells, and super conducting materials.

Steve holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, and an MBA from Claremont Graduate University.

Laks brings to SPG over 20 years of experience in the software industry, developing, marketing and selling software in an enterprise environment. Since 2002, Laks has developed SPG’s software models to perform accurate analysis of utility electric bills,
providing an optimized system for each customer. Laks also has designed and implemented PV production monitoring systems that are both highly accurate and user friendly, to help customers view their electric production and to allow SPG to proactively monitor and maintain peak performance of solar installations. Because of these efforts, SPG’s rate analysis and solar modeling programs have set the standard of this growing industry. Laks continues to expand his role, to position SPG with leading edge technology solutions that will provide the company with competitive advantage. He is responsible for project development for the company’s international division, SPG Solar International, Inc., analyzing inquiries and proposals for major solar projects from outside the U.S., and working to bring them to contract.

Laks has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Bangalore University, India, a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, and an MBA with specialization in Marketing from Santa Clara University.