There's never been a better time to realize your solar energy goals. The following are just some of the reasons home owners and business owners overwhelmingly choose Solar Impact for installation of their solar panels.

• All of our systems are designed by a licensed professional engineer.

  There are only 28 NABCEP certified solar contractors in the State of Florida. Of these 28, only a handful are licensed professional engineers. Of that handful, only 2 have their PhD in Engineering. Barry Jacobson is one of them.

• We partner with licensed roofers and master electricians.

  Please read our advisory below "Ensure that your solar contractor is properly licensed and insured"

• We carry all of the neccessary insurance with one very important additional coverage

  Because every one of our systems is designed by a licensed Profeesional Engineer, each one carries $1 million in Errors and Omissions coverage should there be any error or flaw in the system design.

• Largest solar energy company in North Central Florida.

  5th largest in the state of Florida

• Our client list is a who's who of area business and civic leaders.

  Florida Museum of Natural History | UF East Campus | Hillel | Ken McGurn | Mike Warren | Phil Emmer | Irvin Gleim | Gloria Fletcher | Alachua County Libraries | Alachua County Public Schools | Gainesville Regional Airport| Milhopper Montessori School | Avera & Smith Law Firm | Don Davis | Tom Farkash | Jay Hutto | Joel Islam | Pinnacle Point Apts| NanoSonic | Gainesville Job Corps

• We partner with private investors for non-profit/governmental installations.

• Company founders are long time Gainesville residents and both are PhD graduates (Engineering and Economics).

Everything You Wanted To Know About Solar But Were Afraid to Ask

Ensure that your Solar Dealer is Properly Licensed and Insured!
Solar electric systems are having a significant impact in Gainesville in numerous ways.
Solar Electricity Production.
Residents Get Top Dollar from GRU Solar Feed-in Tariff!
Businesses Get Top Dollar from GRU Solar Feed-in Tariff!
Resale On Solar Homes.
Get Paid to Talk About Solar!
Solar Home Owner Decathlon

How We Got Started

Solar Impact, Inc., was founded in 2007 by Elaine and Barry Jacobson. When considering the purchase of a solar photovoltaic system for their home, they were quoted around $45,000 for an installed 5,000 watt system, which was typical for the industry. Given that the system would produce around $1,000 of electricity and had an expected 25-year life, the system would never come close to paying for itself.

In 2009, Congress extended the solar investment tax credit and eliminated the $2000 cap that applied to residential systems. This brought the net cost down to around $15,000, which was considerably better, but would still barely break even over the 25-year life of the system.

Based on their experiences, they saw a need for reasonable cost solar electric solution and guidance through decision making, purchasing, installation, rebates, solar incentives and tax credits. And Solar Impact was born!

Meet The Staff

Barry Jacobson, President

Barry has over 15-years designing and installing solar equipment. He has a PhD in Biological and Agricultural Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer. He is experienced in working with construction, electrical, and plumbing, in general, and solar power systems in particular.

 

Elaine Jacobson, Vice-President

Elaine has a PhD in Food and Resource Economics is experienced in analyzing environmental and economic decision making. Experienced in applying economics in traditional and non-traditional applications. Diverse background includes coordinating survey research, researching market-based resource management programs, and public choice policy issues.  Skilled communicator with 9 years of university-level teaching experience.

Don Ryan, Director of Sales and Marketing

Don is a UF graduate who enjoyed a successful career as a financial advisor prior to joining Solar Impact. Convinced that we are in the beginning stages of an energy revolution, Don brings over 10 years of professional sales management to his new position. He has extensive experience in working directly with individuals and business owners in assessing their needs and delivering the right solution. Don and his family have called Gainesville home since 1997, and he is actively involved in the community as a coach for youth sports.

Jonny Buckley, Solar Technician

Jonny has completed the Florida Solar Energy Center “Installing Photovoltaic Systems.” He has many years of experience in construction. Jonny has expertise in installing and maintaining solar monitoring and communication systems