Carolina Green Building LLC is poised to make great strides this year as a solar installation provider and in other service areas.

The business, headquartered at 1508 Marstellar St., currently has 14 employees. Carolina Green Building was founded in 2010, primarily as a solar services company.

“In the last few years, we have expanded into a full-service construction company. However, we remain dedicated to renewable technologies and commit about 25 percent of our efforts in installations and service,” business founder and owner Robbie Sutton said. “We have steadily grown in the solar market and have expanded greatly in the general construction and maintenance markets.”

The company has partnered with Amazon Services, SolarH2OT and Velux Skylights to provide additional services and products for its customers, he said.

“These diverse products and services contribute to the idea of a one-stop-shop construction firm that incorporates environmentally responsible materials and practices,” Sutton said. 

The demand for solar power helped Carolina Green Building weather the construction downturn of several years ago.

“When we founded in 2010, our primary focus was on solar installations and energy services. At the time, solar was growing rapidly in North Carolina due to high tax incentives and significant utility rebates,” Sutton said.

The incentives have decreased over time, which changed the marketplace for renewable technologies, he said.

“In response, we have adapted our business model so that we do not rely on any one sector of the industry,” Sutton said.

North Carolina is currently rated second among states nationwide as a market for solar installations, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

Carolina Green Building’s business plan is structured with the future in mind.

“It’s really exciting to see the construction industry become more competitive as web-based services begin to provide instant connections between customers and prescreened providers,” Sutton said. “We also plan on expanding the number of services that we are able to provide in-house.” 

The outlook is bright for Carolina Green Building and solar power in North Carolina, Sutton said.

Sutton said many customers are initially interested in a skylight or sun tunnel and then decide to add a solar hot water or photovoltaic system after learning about economic and environmental impact.

“In addition to solar, we continue to promote quality building practices and environmentally sound methods. One example is our partnership with Pink-Trash to recycle all shingles removed in a new roof installation,” Sutton said. “As we continue to add to our portfolio, we will innovate our products and services to promote environmental stewardship with quality contracting.”

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