groSolar

About groSolar

Founded in Vermont in 1998 by the husband-and-wife engineering team Jeff and Dori Wolfe, groSolar, legally known as Global Resource Options, Inc., established itself as a key player in the North American solar energy sector. Initially focusing on residential solar projects, the company built a reputation for its engineering capabilities and timely construction. Jeff Wolfe, with a BSME from Cornell University and prior experience as a partner at a consulting engineering firm, led the company as CEO for nearly 14 years.

The company's trajectory shifted from residential to larger-scale projects over time. A significant milestone occurred in 2008 with the construction of its first 1MW+ commercial solar project in California. By 2010, groSolar divested its residential division to concentrate on the commercial and utility-scale markets, targeting projects up to 30MW. This strategic pivot positioned the company as a provider of turnkey engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services. Its client base included developers, financiers, utilities, corporations, government entities, and other institutions like municipalities, universities, schools, and hospitals (MUSH).

groSolar's business model revolved around managing the entire project lifecycle, from development support and financial modeling to design-build and operations and maintenance. The company provided comprehensive services, including project feasibility assessment, permitting, and navigating regulatory requirements. Revenue was generated through the development, construction, and servicing of these solar photovoltaic (PV) projects. The firm also operated a distribution arm, procuring and supplying equipment from various manufacturers to solar dealers nationwide.

In April 2016, groSolar was acquired by EDF Renewables, the North American subsidiary of the French utility giant EDF Group. This acquisition integrated groSolar as an autonomous business unit focused on distributed generation solar, combining its specialization in 1 to 30 megawatt projects with EDF's extensive resources. Following the acquisition, Jamie Resor, who joined groSolar in 2007 and was instrumental in its fundraising and expansion, continued to lead the business line, which eventually merged into EDF's Distributed Solutions group in 2018.