Advanced Solar Photonics, Lake Mary: On July 15, solar panels are expected to start rolling off the line at this plant. The new company, which assembles panels from silicon cells, estimates that it will generate 200 jobs within eight months and about 1,500 within the next two years. Its panels can produce power from the roof of a house or at a large energy facility.
UMA Solar, Altamonte Springs: This company started selling solar pool-heating systems nearly 30 years ago. Seven years ago it started offering water heaters, and just last year it started selling electricity-producing panels. The company has long imported its solar heaters, but this summer it plans to start manufacturing them in Seminole County. President Victor Eyal says UMA Solar also has started a school to educate electricians, plumbers and roofers in how to install and sell solar systems.
Alternative Energy Services, Altamonte Springs: Since forming as a spinoff of Florida Industrial Electric a few years ago, this company has outfitted Anclote Key Preserve State Park, an island near Tarpon Springs, to run a lighthouse and several buildings with alternative energy sources, including solar. Now it's working on a second island off Cedar Key. President Clayton Eigenmann estimates that business has doubled since the company began.
Energy Alternatives, DeLand: A former airline pilot, Sandra Williams was waiting in a long line of planes in New York when she suddenly became aware of what she calls "my long history of bad fossil-fuel karma." She whipped out a calculator and determined that she had personally been responsible for using 1.5 million gallons of gas in her aviation career. She hung up her captain's uniform and started working on a book called The Queen of Green Tells All. In 2005, she started her company and got to work installing solar water heaters in homes and businesses. Williams is seeking grants to do solar education.
Solis Energy, Altamonte Springs: This 4-year-old company manufactures stand-alone solar electric systems, which are often used to deliver electricity to surveillance cameras in remote areas. The company's systems, which connect a solar panel to a battery, have been used in the Everglades to power cameras and in Apopka to help power a city Wi-Fi network.