Sunrun, the largest dedicated residential solar company in the U.S., has selected Denver, CO as the location for its newest corporate office. The company will open an office in downtown Denver before the end of 2015 and plans to hire up to 800 workers over the next few years. The expansion underscores Sunrun’s growth over the past year, most recently announcing it has surpassed 100,000 customers.
Sunrun’s new office expands the company’s geographic footprint nationwide to support consumer demand for home solar into 2016. In Colorado, Sunrun has saved homeowners more than $4.3 million on their electric bills since 2007. The company will also help advance Colorado’s cleantech industry by offering employment opportunities in operations, project planning and design engineering.
“We already know that Colorado homeowners love solar and that Colorado has a highly skilled workforce,” said Lynn Jurich, chief executive officer of Sunrun. “Our fast-growing industry also has support from Colorado’s elected leaders through strong in-state and federal solar policies like the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). That’s why we’re thrilled to grow Sunrun’s presence in the state with technology-oriented functions that will power solar’s growth nationwide.”
Sunrun largely attributes its expansion into Colorado to the leadership of Gov. John Hickenlooper and state policymakers. As a strong supporter of the solar industry, Colorado invested more than $212 million in installations in 2014, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The state’s solar industry also employs more than 4,200 people, according to The Solar Foundation. Sunrun’s new Denver office netted the company $85,000 in strategic-fund incentives from the director of global business development for the Colorado Economic Development Commission.
“Colorado is thrilled to be home to Sunrun’s new corporate office,” said Gov. Hickenlooper. “Colorado’s forward-thinking energy policies and talented workforce will support the company’s creation of new jobs and savings for homeowners while diversifying the state’s energy economy. Sunrun has proven its business and advantages for homeowners. We look forward to supporting Sunrun’s future growth.”
“Renewable energy and finding innovative ways to power our homes is one of the next great economic opportunities, and we’re proud that Sunrun has chosen Denver for their next-stage growth and success,” said Denver’s Mayor Michael Hancock. “With Sunrun joining a roster of leading industry firms here in the city, we can build on our momentum as a leading center for progress in this important and growing sector.”
