The toughest state for solar couldn’t stop our vision for a cleaner future.
Our History
Est. 2016
We believe that everyone should have access to clean, abundant solar energy for reasons beyond just energy savings – such as energy independence from utility services, improving air quality, public health and reducing our carbon footprint. Until 2015, there were no professional solar companies in Central Alabama that could provide a “turnkey” solar solution. Eagle Solar & Light (ESL) was founded in early 2016 by Sam Yates to fill this need. Sam, with his engineering degree from Vanderbilt and an MBA from the University of Virginia, coupled with years of manufacturing experience, set the audacious goal to become the leading Commercial and Industrial (C&I) solar provider in the Southeast.
Sam’s vision continues to motivate us, and we have grown significantly - expanding our territory across the Southeast and installing over 11mW of solar energy. We now have our General Contracting license in Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina. Our multi-state team holds certifications and achievements from the North American Board of Certified Electrical Practitioners (NABCEP), electrical licenses, and many hours of training and education on safety, industry-specific products, lighting design and more. Equally important is the diversity of experience of our team members: non-profit leadership, federal and state government service, environmental/ecosystem protection, general contracting and construction just to name a few. This wide array of talented individuals have been the fuel that has allowed us to grow - and now sees us continuing to expand solar access across the Southeast at an exponential rate.
Founder & CEO
Sam Yates
"Eagle Solar & Light is privileged to claim an exceptional group of company associates from diverse professional and educational backgrounds, who are highly motivated to partner with and educate our customers on the quantitative and qualitative benefits of sustainable energy!
I started the company in early 2016, after a long career in industrial settings and oil & gas exploration. The business model was certainly an anomaly in central Alabama, particularly considering the state's punitive regulatory policy on interconnected solar. However, the lack of penetration in Alabama led to a huge business opportunity as we scramble to catch up with the rest of the country in total deployed solar.
As a successful EPC contractor, including in-house engineering, installation, and long-term customer service, we have expanded our model as licensed contractors with multiple office locations in five Southeastern States.
Our early entry into commercial tax-equity, or solar leasing, in North Carolina, has proven to provide an exceptional value-added program for non-profits, including those in historically disadvantaged areas."