How we got started

Solar Impact, Inc., was founded in 2007 by Elaine and Barry Jacobson. When considering the purchase of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system for their home, they were quoted around $50,000 for an installed 5,000 watt (5kW) solar system, which was typical for the solar industry. Given that the solar electric system would produce around $1,000 of electricity and had an expected 30-year lifespan, the solar energy system would never come close to paying for itself.

In 2009, Congress extended the solar Investment Tax Credit and eliminated the $2,000 cap that applied to residential solar systems. This brought the net cost down to around $35,000, which was considerably better, but would still barely break even over the 30-year life of the system.

Based on their experiences, they saw a need for a reasonably priced solar electric solution as well as for guidance through the entire process – decision making, purchasing, solar panel installation, solar rebates, solar incentives, and tax credits. And Solar Impact was born! For the last decade, Solar Impact, the top solar company in Florida, has been installing solar panels for the communities of Gainesville, Florida and in Ocala, Newberry, Jonesville, and High Springs

Employee-Ownership

Since we opened, Solar Impact has grown considerably in both size and territory. In 2019, Solar Impact transitioned to 100% employee-ownership. Meaning all of Solar Impact’s employees are also owners. As Solar Impact, we have established a set of core values by which we operate. 

1. Be Open, Honest, and Respectful

2. Do the Right Thing

3. Embrace Challenges

4. Master Our Craft

5. When You Succeed, We All Succeed

Why Choose Solar Impact

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 system.
All of Solar Impact’s systems are designed by a licensed professional engineer.

There are only 37 NABCEP certified solar contractors in the State of Florida. Of these, only a handful are licensed, professional engineers. Of that handful, Solar Impact’s Barry Jacobson is the only one with a Ph.D. in Engineering.

Solar Impact’s installation team brings more than 55 years of construction experience with special emphasis in roofing, electrical and solar photovoltaic.

Our installation team is led by our project manager, Richie Wilhoit. Richie is a 10-year army veteran with a Master’s Degree from UF in Building Construction. Dave Peebles, our in-house electrician, has personally led the electrical installation of over 50% of the solar electric systems installed in the Gainesville area.

We carry all of the necessary insurance with one very important additional coverage.

Because every one of our systems is designed by a licensed Professional Engineer, each system carries a $1 million Errors and Omissions policy to cover the remote possibility of any error or flaw in the system design.

The largest solar energy company in North Central Florida.

Solar Impact is also Top Ten in Florida.

Our customer list is a "Who's Who" of local area business and civic leaders.

Solar Impact clients include: The US Air Force (Tyndall Base), The University of Florida (multiple projects), Santa Fe College, Gainesville Regional Airport, The Department of Veteran’s Affairs (Bay Pines), McGurn Management Company (multiple projects, including the largest solar installation in Ocala), Central Florida Electric Coop, Mike Warren/AMJ, Inc., The Florida Museum of Natural History, Alachua County Libraries (multiple projects), The Alachua County School District (multiple projects), Gleim Publications, Oaks Veterinary Clinic, Millhopper Montessori School, Avera & Smith Law Firm, Dell Graham Law Firm, Pinnacle Point Apartments, NanoSonic, Gainesville Job Corps, and more than 150 residential clients.

Solar Impact is a local solar company with local roots.

Company founders are long-time Gainesville residents, and both are Ph.D. graduates (Engineering and Economics).

We plant trees for every home and business that goes solar.

For every home or business that goes solar with us, we plant trees in Alachua County. Trees are one-year-old long leaf pines, grown in North Central Florida, and planted in the Little Orange Creek Preserve in Hawthorne Florida by the Alachua Conservation Trust.

Amicus solar logo prefooter

As an Amicus member, Solar Impact joins 50+ independently owned and operated solar energy companies that exhibit the highest level of quality, integrity and customer care.

Amicus is 100% member-owned cooperative and members participate by purchasing from the group’s preferred vendors and sharing industry best practices in operations, sales & marketing, engineering and solar design.