Texas-based Freedom Solar, an industry leader in turnkey solar energy installations with operations in Texas and eight other states, has underscored its confidence in the booming Florida solar market by expanding its footprint from Tampa to Orlando.
“We are fully invested in the Florida market,” said Freedom Solar CEO Bret Biggart. “As of 2021, Florida ranked third in the U.S. for installed solar capacity, with 7,765.1 megawatts (MW). Our team is meeting the demand and serving the residential and commercial solar needs of Central Florida communities. Freedom Solar is poised to grow at a rapid pace.”
Freedom Solar began serving the Tampa area in June 2021 and opened its first Florida office at 8105 Krauss Boulevard, Tampa, last summer. Regional Sales Manager Justin McCombs and Operations Manager Bennett Buol oversee all Tampa operations. The location encompasses 2,000 square feet of office space and 7,000 square feet of warehouse space, enough to house 4,000 solar panels and still accommodate a monthly delivery of 1,000 additional solar modules to satisfy the demands of Tampa-area clients. Since opening the office, Freedom has completed more than 100 residential installations in the Tampa metropolitan area and quickly began seeing increasing interest in other parts of the state. The success of the Tampa operations prompted Freedom Solar’s recent move into the Orlando market.
Located at 8350 Parkline Boulevard, Suite 20, Freedom Solar’s Orlando office encompasses 12,320 square feet, including a warehouse large enough to accommodate 2,500 solar panels and 200 back-up batteries. Freedom will be shipping 500 kW of solar panels and 100 batteries to this location every month. Freedom Sales Manager Eddie Torres and Operations Manager Timothy Milliano oversee the Orlando operations.
Biggart’s optimism about the Florida expansion has already borne out in the sales posted so far in 2022. Year to date, Freedom has installed 545 kilowatts (kW) of solar energy capacity in Florida and secured 195 residential contracts in the state. The company expects to install more than 5 MW of solar in Central Florida in 2022. Currently, Freedom has 23 active employees in Florida and expects to employ 30 more within the next year.
Freedom Solar is the only SunPower® Master Dealer in Tampa and a certified Tampa Clean Energy Authority solar installer. SunPower manufactures the world’s most advanced, efficient and sustainable solar technology, designed and manufactured in the USA and backed by the solar industry’s best 25-year warranty for product, performance and service.
“We are putting down roots in Florida, giving back to the community through partnerships like the Southeastern Food Bank, while expanding our footprint in the Sunshine State,” said McCombs. “After a year in Tampa and with our recent expansion to Orlando, our customers are showing us they want clean, reliable solar energy. We know how to do solar the right way, so we’re doubling down and helping Floridians take control of their energy supply.”
