This past year was a big one for Solar Holler. In 2022 we saw the Solar Holler family continue to grow – both with additional team members and with a growing list of customers. We added some accolades to our company resume, celebrated big legislative wins at the federal level, and are watching national trends in solar energy interest and production continue to soar. 

We’re already off and running in 2023, but we wanted to pause for a look back at some of our biggest achievements over the past year. It was one for the books and we appreciate each and every one of you who helped make it all possible. 

This past year was a big one for Solar Holler. We added some accolades to our company resume, celebrated big legislative wins at the federal level, and are watching national trends in solar energy interest and production continue to soar.

In December, we broke a West Virginia state record when we completed the largest solar array to date at Oak Tree Farm, a poultry farm in Hardy County. We installed nearly 1,400 panels atop the chicken houses and the farm is now producing 99% of their energy needs with solar. We were thrilled to complete this project for the farm – and to make history in our home state- but more than that, we’re gratified to know that the savings for Oak Tree means they can expand their operations, hire more West Virginians, and keep more of our food production in state. Check out more about this exciting project here: Largest Solar System in West Virginia

In September, we celebrated our 1000th solar installation. That’s 1000 families, businesses and nonprofits now making their own power and protecting themselves from increasing utility rates. We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the folks that went solar with us before it was hot! 

2022 was a big year for clean energy at the federal level too. Over the summer, the most comprehensive investment in clean energy passed in congress, and with it came special investments for Appalachia. We couldn’t be more excited to see this legislation pass – this is the bill we’ve been hoping for to rewire Appalachia and revitalize American manufacturing. The legislation includes an expansion of the solar tax credit to 30% and also broadened the benefits available to businesses and nonprofits. We’ve been working toward this moment for the past decade and we’re ready to hit the ground running in 2023 to help homes, businesses and nonprofits take advantage of all the new benefits. 

We were honored to be among the grant recipients of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge. Together with our partners through Coalfield Development Corp, we will transform the former Black Diamond factory in Huntington into a new solar training and logistics center. This will allow us to continue to grow the solar workforce in Appalachia and create even more employment opportunities.Speaking of jobs – Our hiring continued apace in 2022 as well – we increased our workforce by more than 50% this year, with no plans of slowing! Interested in joining our team? Check out our job openings here: Join our Team.

Curious to know what a solar installation looks like up close? We welcomed Calvin Kilowatt to the team this year! Calvin is a scaled down model of a rooftop solar array that goes with us to different events around the region – come meet him at one of this year’s home shows! We’ll be at the Huntington Home and Garden Show March 10th-12th and the West Virginia Home Show March 31st – April 2nd.

2022 was historic for us and we’re eager to make waves and break records again in 2023. We couldn’t be more grateful for our team and the growing list of customers that have helped us get here. Cheers to 2023!