Mainstream energy

About Mainstream energy

Mainstream Energy Corporation, founded in 2005, operated as a holding company structuring a vertically integrated portfolio within the U.S. solar energy sector. The company's strategic business model was centered on owning and integrating key players across the solar value chain to enhance operational efficiencies and market reach.

The corporate structure was built upon three primary, wholly-owned subsidiaries. REC Solar's residential division, founded in 1997 by two graduates from California Polytechnic State University, functioned as the design and installation arm of the enterprise, handling the direct-to-consumer implementation of solar electric systems. AEE Solar, established in 1979 as Alternative Energy Engineering by solar enthusiast David Katz, served as the wholesale distribution channel, supplying a vast inventory of solar products and equipment to a network of installers nationwide. Completing the vertical integration was SnapNrack, a manufacturer of solar panel racking and mounting systems founded in 2007, which focused on creating installer-friendly hardware for various roof types and ground-mount projects.

This integrated model allowed Mainstream Energy to control product supply, manufacturing, and final installation, aiming to reduce costs and streamline the process for residential solar customers. The company's revenue was generated through the activities of these subsidiaries: product sales and distribution by AEE Solar, racking system sales by SnapNrack, and residential solar system installations by REC Solar. A significant milestone in the company's history occurred on February 4, 2014, when the residential solar financing company Sunrun Inc. acquired Mainstream Energy's core assets. The transaction included the residential division of REC Solar, AEE Solar, and SnapNrack, effectively absorbing Mainstream's integrated operations into Sunrun's business to bolster its in-house construction and supply capabilities. As part of the acquisition, Mainstream Energy's CEO, Paul Winnowski, joined Sunrun as Chief Operating Officer, and its Chairman, Timothy Ball, joined Sunrun's Board of Directors.